By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The dust was kicking up once again at the horse arena on the Crawford County Fairgrounds, but the classes were paused for the moment. As a tractor worked the ground and watered down the arena Tuesday afternoon, Sara Misura, decked out in her Western gear, sat on her horse, Rosa.
Misura was crowned the Junior Fair Horse Queen on Sunday.
“I find it an honor because it lets me help the younger kids, sometimes even the older kids, a little more than I can without it,” said Misura, a four-year 4-H member. “They see how much of a role model I can be and it helps to set the standard for me to get myself to reach and help others reach as well.”
Misura not only plans on setting standards for her fellow riders, but also for herself. All of that begins as she works and competes with her two horses, Rosa and Spirit.
“It’s the connection with the horse,” Misura explained, “figuring out each horse’s quirks. Rosa loves to run and she loves to follow on the ground, you don’t really need to hold on to her. Spirit’s so good – more a pleasure-type horse.”
As for Misura, her favorite event to compete in is versatility, which requires riders to compete in all forms of horsemanship – from showmanship to riding to trail and contesting.
“You’ve got a little bit of everything,” Misura said with a grin.
She will be competing with Rosa in the versatility competition at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Katie Ruffener joined Misura as horse royalty after being crowned Princess.
“It just means a lot because I’ve been in 4-H a while,” said Ruffener, who also has four years of 4-H experience under her belt. “I tried out last year, but I didn’t get it. This year I think I had a better chance at it.”
Ruffener believed her chances improved this year because she qualified in four events for the Ohio State Fair: English and Western showmanship, horsemanship, and pleasure.
Despite being a jack of all trades with her horse, Ruffener enjoys competing in hunter under saddle the most.
“I just like English better,” Ruffener admitted.
The 4-H horse shows continue into Thursday with the gymkhana classes at 9 a.m. and the versatility show at 3 p.m. There will also be a Horse Fun Show at 10 a.m. on Friday. All events take place at the horse arena in the back of the fairgrounds.