Georgia's Youth Celebrate Equine Championship Day

By Erica Lummus, spring intern

Young equestrians from all over Georgia traveled to congregate at the State Capitol on Feb. 4 to celebrate and be commended for their equine accomplishments.

Gov. Nathan Deal addresses attendees at the Fifth Annual
Youth Equine Championship Day on Feb. 4. Photo by
Evan Karanovich

“We look forward to Youth Equine Day each year and are thankful for the opportunity to promote and educate others on Georgia’s equine industry while honoring our young equestrians,” Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black said.

This year’s occasion marked the Fifth Annual Youth Equine Championship Day. 

“This event has grown from an idea that we had about six years ago. We had everyone over in [a Department conference room] and we were trying to fit 400 people in the room.  Commissioner Irvin, at the time, told me to go find a bigger building; so you can see where we are now.  We have a gaggle of people,” said John Clements of the Georgia Department of Agriculture Commodity Commission for Equine. 

The event recognizes young people who have participated in, qualified and won in regional, national or world championship horse shows.

“We have over 300 national world qualifiers, our state champions and 11 world champions.  That is very impressive for Georgia.  We have anything from mini horses all the way up to Quarter Horses, Appaloosas and Palominos and we have two world champions this year from the Mini Horse association and a reigning horse young lady from the Appaloosa association,” Clements said.

More than 200 horse show winners were recognized by Gov. Nathan Deal, Black and the Senate and House agriculture committees.

“We believe we are the only state in the nation that has a program of this kind honoring young equestrians. These kids all enjoy their Capitol Hill experience but it is also special for them to be recognized by their peers. Every year this event grows beyond our expectation,” Clements said.