WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | All the time and effort that 16-year-old Krystal Phelps put into her horse was on display Tuesday as she and about 40 other equestrians competed in the 4-H Horse & Pony English Classes competition.
The horse events, located at the east end of the Porter County Fair, continue today with the Western competition.
Phelps, 16, of Washington Township, rode her female Appaloosa, named Zip's Miss Rock Star, every other day to prepare for the competition, in which the competitors are judged by things like how they communicate with, handle and show their horses.
"My whole point is to do well, but I also enjoy it," Phelps said.
Paula Smith, horse and pony superintendent, said the competition and the effort leading up to it provide valuable lessons for the competitors, who are in third to 12th grade in school.
"They are learning good horsemanship, responsibility, hard work and the maintenance and care of an animal," Smith said.
"We have a lot of good sports in this group. They help one another and cheer for one another, but they are competitive against one another. They're a great bunch of kids."
