Story by: Doug Foreman
BUCYRUS, OH - On Monday night of the Crawford County Fair, I was walking through the barns to find more photos ops, when I met Shayla Moyer, your 2008 Crawford County Horse Queen.
There she was sitting with several of her 4-H members playing Euchre. Of course I noticed the sash, and took a picture of Shayla and her friends playing cards. Then I realized who she was, and decided to do an interview with her.
Shayla is a very versatile rider, competing in Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Western, English Pleasure, and Contesting.
This is 10th year for Shayla to be in 4-H, and she has always had horses as her project. Zippy, her 9 year old Quarter Horse gelding, is her third horse that she has shown at the Crawford County Fair.
Shayla had to apply for the chance to be crowned the 2008 Crawford County Horse Queen. Then she had to write an essay on how taking a horse project has effected my life. Oh course she had to have a horse project, but she also had to show in competition at a P.S.A. Show. Plus she had an interview with the judges of the Crawford County Horse Queen competition.
"I have totally taken care of my horses on my own. I feed my own horse, I clean my horses stall, and I even train my own horse," said Shayla.
With me being the old professional Arabian Horse trainer myself, I had to ask her, "Why does that make you different from most of your 4-H horse club members"? So, Shayla responded by saying this, "I have not sent my horses out to horse trainers for my horse to be trained or tuned up for the Fair. So when I win, I know that I have done this with my own ability, and not with the help of some professional horse trainer. I have nothing against those kids who do that, and their parents who pay to have that done. I just have a better sense of accomplishment by completely training my own horse".
Shayla went on to tell me that having her horse project has made her a more responsible person, and it has made her grow as an individual. "Taking care of and the training of horse makes you do things everyday, that some people are not willing to do everyday. Going out to the barn in the cold, blowing snow or in the hot, summer heat, to feed and water my horse. Even the other care necessary for horse, like the blacksmith, getting hay for them, and veterinarian".
Shayla went on to say, "I have met a lot of cool people. I really enjoy working with the newer kids in 4-H on Monday nights, when our Club gets together. I had the older kids work with me when I was first starting out. Now that I am the older kid, I get to help out the younger kids, and I really enjoy doing that. It was a big help to me nine, ten years ago, and I want to do the same for them". Shayla told me that they all work together to improve everyone, plus the younger kids to do better.
Shayla is President of the Young Riders 4-H club. So I asked her how that effects her while competing here locally. "It puts more pressure on you, because you are the President of your Club. You want to do everything you can to help all of your club members win while showing. Plus, I will be competing at the State Fair this year in Trail and Hunter Under Saddle, so everyone here expects you to go to State and do as well there as you do here", said Shayla. So we wish her the best of luck, as she heads down to Columbus, to represent Crawford County in State competition!
