The Blazing Bridles 4-H Horse Club won 44 ribbons at the state horse show and 54 top-ten honors at the Kentucky 4-H State Horse Contest.
The horse race took place on June 17–18 in Lexington. The contestants competed in the arts, hippology exam, horse bowl, and horse judging. From June 28 to July 2, Louisville hosted the horse show. In the drill team, saddleseat, miniature, walking/racking/mountain, speed, western, and hunter divisions, young riders showcased their abilities.
The state championships are as follows:
Ashlynn Allen (Ryland Heights, age 14)
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contest; Art; Junior Equipment; State Champion
Katherine Rose Gibbons, Latonia, age 11
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contest; Photography; Single Photo; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contest; Art; Junior Clothing/Sewing; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Miniature Division; Pleasure Driving Junior; State Champion
Fionna Lawrence, a 12-year-old independent
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Saddleseat Division; Showmanship; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Saddleseat Division; Walk Trot Pleasure; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Saddleseat Division; Walk Trot Equitation; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Miniature Division; Jumper 34-38 ; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Saddleseat Division; High Point Reserve Champion
Catalina Mejia (independence, age 13)
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Drill Team Division; State Champion
Kylie Patton (Morning View), age 14
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Walking Racking Mountain Division; Trail Pleasure Racking Lite Shod Junior; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Walking/Racking/Mountain Division; Western Country Pleasure Racking Lite Shod Junior; State Champion
Chelsey Ruby(age 14, Crittenden)
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Drill Team Division; State Champion
Adela Suarez Presley (Ryland Heights, age 12)
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contest; Judging; Junior Individual Performance; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contest; Hippology; Individual Stations; State Champion
Elisha Wilson (Ryland Heights, 14 years old)
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contest; Art; Photography; Black & White; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contest; Art; Senior Original Design; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Miniature Division; Halter Obstacle Senior; State Champion
- 2025 Kentucky State 4-H Horse Show; Miniature Division; Senior High Point Reserve Champion
Members Sophia Lipscomb (age 12, Kenton County) and Blake Terharr (age 12, Independence) rounded out the state teams, which are led by 4-H volunteers Melinda Martino and Leah Wilson.
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According to club leader Leah Wilson, the Kenton County 4-H Horse Program gives participants the chance to combine their love of horses and riding with leadership, creativity, and lifelong learning opportunities. These kids constantly surpass my expectations and never cease to astound me with their dedication.
Since 1969, Blazing Bridles has been the 4-H horse club in Kenton County. In 2022, Martino and Wilson took over as leaders.
“I am thrilled with our 4-Hers’ accomplishments and proud of them,” stated leader Melinda Martino. All of this was made possible by Leah Wilson’s unwavering efforts and the parents’ encouragement.
At the county level, Fionna Lawrence was awarded
Kenton County
Fair 2025 High Point Champion and Katherine Rose Gibbons was awarded Kenton County Fair 2025 High Point Reserve Champion for their performances on July 19 at the fair.
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