Thunder, a 2-year-old paint horse, was happily munching on grass after getting a nice pampering Sunday morning as his owner, Natasha VanGundy, prepared herself for competition.
Thunder was seemingly unaware of the pressure that was mounting around him as 4-H’ers hurriedly prepared their horses for one of the first events of the Lyon County Free Fair — the 4-H horse show.
VanGundy, 14, of Americus, showed two horses during Sunday’s competition — her paint, Thunder, and her quarter horse, Little Man.
VanGundy has been in 4-H since she was 7. She said she enjoys the horse competition because she likes horses. Her favorite class is riding, however, but the show is a bonus. VanGundy said she didn’t know much about horses until she got involved with them in 4-H four years ago.
“Now I’m really big into them,” she said.
In addition to horses, VanGundy, a member of the Cloverleaf 4-H Club, also shows steers. She used to show pigs and also has participated in the crafts, food and clothing categories.
Next to VanGundy’s trailer, Sammie Leeds, 15, of Emporia was busy getting ready for the competition. Leeds is a part of the Reading 4-H club and has been in 4-H since she was 7. She is following in her mother’s footsteps in 4-H.
“My mom was in 4-H when she was little,” Leeds said. “I got into the same club she was in.”
During Sunday’s competition, Leeds showed two horses, Whiskey, an 8-year-old quarter horse and Chunk, a 4-year-old quarter horse. She’s also showing pigs this year — her favorite category.
Leeds said she has learned a lot during her time in 4-H.
“I’ve learned a lot about leadership,” she said. “And how to be responsible.”