News Release Distributed 06/13/11
An estimated 600 youth from across Louisiana will compete in the 42nd annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show July 5-9 in West Monroe.
Coordinated by the LSU AgCenter, the event will be held at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center. The youngsters who gather for the state horse show already will have competed in parish and district shows.
Tuesday and Wednesday events include roping, barrels, stake race, pole bending, calf roping and team penning.
The quiz bowl and Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Contest will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Thursday events are public speaking, demonstrations and a judging contest followed by an awards banquet at 6:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday events are western pleasure, western horsemanship, western riding, reining, dressage, trail, ground work, stock horse pleasure, halter and showmanship.
“The horse industry is an important component of Louisiana’s agriculture economy, with the latest figures showing that the total economic impact of the industry meant about $494 million to the state’s economy in 2010,” said Dwayne Nunez, LSU AgCenter horse show manager. He added that 129,000 horses are owned by 45,000 Louisianans.
The West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau is a major sponsor of the show.
Mary Ann Van Osdell