A high point for local youths each summer, the 4-H Horse Show and Fair Qualifier celebrated high point winners and other participants July 7-9 at the Clallam County Fairgrounds.

“It was so much fun for everyone; there were so many new members that it was such an experience for all of us,” said Paisley Morris of Neon Riders.

The event was a large show with about 16 riders competing in 20 or more classes, including both English and western riding.

At show’s end, riders were presented with high point awards. The first went to Walk Trot champion Grace Karjalainen, with Elise Sirguy as reserve champion. Intermediate champion was Lila Torey, with Ellie Karjalainen selected reserve champion. In the Senior group, Taylor Maughan was selected champion while Ava Hairell and Celbie Karjalainen tied for reserve champion in that age group.

The group started two new high points awards. The first honor, for Gaming, went to champion Katelynn Sharpe and reserve champion Zakara Braun.

The second honor, the Helping Hands award, went to Kinlee Morris. This honor went to the most helpful person over the weekend.

Participants are given a paper where they write down names of helpful people. Kinlee’s name was called five or six times, event representatives noted, and earned a trophy that will go to the winner at next year’s show.

“All of us girls had so much fun,” Paisley Morris said. “We can’t wait to go to fair and compete together again in the same classes.”

Kinlee Morris displays the trophy she earned as the first Helping Hands award at the Horse Show and Fair Qualifier in early July. Morris received the award for being helpful to other riders.

Photo courtesy of Katie Salmon-Newton / High-point winners receive their awards at the Horse Show and Fair Qualifier in early July.