Winstead wins Junior Versatility

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Shelby Winstead displays her buckle and ribbon Monday evening. Winstead won the Junior Versatility title by winning three categories.

By CAINE GARDNER

Sports Writer

With the sun beating down and temps tickling the 90-degree mark, seven young ladies vied for the Junior Versatility title at the Putnam County Fairgrounds Horse Arena Monday night.

Riders were judged in four categories, which included horsemanship and barrel run.

Fifth-year 4-H'er Shelby Winstead won three of those four categories, en route to her Junior Versatility title.

"It means a lot," Winstead said after the event. "I feel like I've practiced really hard and it's just something I worked at for a really long time. It makes it worth it."

Winstead gave some insight into what it takes to be ready for a competition such as the versatility. She alluded to the fact that it revolves around conditioning and most importantly, time with the horse.

"About an hour riding every day, maybe more, sometimes I'll ride her two times a day. It takes a lot of getting her in condition," she said.

Riding is nothing new to Winstead. She stated that she's been riding "since I was six weeks old."

Winstead also acknowledged that all though she loves the entire competition, horsemanship was probably her favorite category.

"I like the horsemanship, but the barrels are something fun to do. I do like the horsemanship," she said.

The only class that eluded Winstead was the barrel run, which was won by Jessica Spence. Spence lit up the barrels and posted a time of 21:209, edging out Sierra Livesay.

Junior Versatility results

1. Jessica Winstead 2. Emily Gilley 3. Jessica Spence 4. Claudia Shelton 5. China Ford 6. Sierra Livesay.

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