Garza County 4H riders win big at Texas State Horse Show

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By Elizabeth Tanner—

Post High School Senior Kolton Wink is the 2020 Champion in both the Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old Futurity, earning the titles at the recent Texas State 4-H Horse Show.

Garza County’s Macee Rathbun, a junior at Post High School, placed fourth in the Two-Year-Old Futurity and fifth in the Three-Year-Old Futurity ,and Kasen Wink, an eighth grader at Post Middle School, won Reserve Champion in Ranch Roping, third in Cow Boxing, fourth in Stockhorse Showmanship and seventh in Stockhorse Horsemanship.

While this year’s Texas State 4-H Horse Show, held in Bryan, was a little unorthodox due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was well-run with many precautions taken to sustain social distancing and the safety of everyone in attendance. Face masks were required at all times with the exception of when riders were competing in the show ring or having their official picture taken by the photographer. Spectators were limited and accommodations were given to ensure six-foot social distancing in all areas according to an event preparedness plan released by the Texas State 4-H Horse Show.

“It was hot, and the face masks were a bit uncomfortable,” said Kristi Wink, Kolten and Kasen’s mother. “But it was all worth it for our kids getting to show their hard work.”

Garza County is rapidly earning a solid reputation for exceptional work with young horses, said Kristi Wink. All three riders from Post competed in the Two-Year-Old Futurity. And, for the second year in a row, a Garza County youth has won the Two-Year-Old Futurity class; which is a class of young horses just 2 years old that have been trained and ridden only by the 4-H youth.

Last year, Rathbun was the 2019 Champion.

Kolton Wink claimed the 2020 Champion title with his filly, MS BECACO Pistol who he calls Pistol. Out of a class of 18 in the state, Macee placed fourth with her 2-year-old, Lil Showgun, who she named Spice, and Kasen Wink placed 10th with his 2-year-old, Quatro Rey, nicknamed Bo.

Kolton Wink also took home the Champion title in the Three-Year-Old Futurity with his mare, MS BECACO Soncat, who he calls Cat. Along with this win, Kolton was awarded the Top Futurity Horseman award for showing Cat as a yearling in 2018, a two-year-old in 2019, and this year in the Three-Year-Old Futurity. With two Champion titles in both divisions, Kolton won two scholarships, two buckles, a bronze trophy and a custom tack from Big Bend Saddlery.

Macee Rathbun won fifth place in the Three-Year-Old Futurity with her mare, Showgun Chex, that she calls Sugar.
“Both of these kids did a great job showing all of their young horses,” Kristi Wink said.

Kasen Wink brought home a Reserve Champion title and buckle in Ranch Roping, which was a new event at this year’s show. A combination of sorting and roping made a fun challenge for youth to sort a numbered cow, then rope it out of the herd. Kasen rode his mare, Starlight Attitude, which he calls Attie, and caught his cow on the first try. Kasen and Attie also placed third in Cow Boxing, fourth in Stockhorse Showmanship and seventh in Stockhorse Horsemanship out of 45 Junior riders in the state. He teamed up with his brother, Kolton, for Ranch Sorting and together they placed third in the state out of 23 teams.

“A huge congratulations to Kolton Wink, Macee Rathbun & Kasen Wink,” Kristi Wink said. “They work hard all year on their horses, and it showed this year with their amazing results. Garza County is lucky to have you and look forward to watching you defend our title again next year.”

To join the 4-H Horse Club, or receive more information, contact Kristi Wink at 806-543-7431.