WINTHROP -- Four members of the 4H group at Equestrian Training Center in Winthrop, represented St. Lawrence County at the state fair in Syracuse on August 21-22. Cora Hotchkiss (Paul Smiths), Cadence LaRocque (Tupper Lake), Madison Newtown (Winthrop), and Lola Lynde (Gouverneur) competed against other top equestrians from across the state. 

Tiffany Buschbasher-Curran trained senior riders Hotchkiss and LaRocque and junior riders Newtown and Lynde to win several ribbons each in hunt seat classes including Hunter and Jumper events. 

The ribbon count for Hotchkiss was one 1st place, one 2nd place, two 8th place, and one 9th place. LaRocque earned one 1st place, three 4th place, and one 10th place ribbons. Newtown earned two 2nd place, one 3rd place, one 4th place, four 5th place, one 6th place, and one 7th place ribbons. Lynde earned three 1st place, one 2nd place, two 4th place, one 5th place, one 6th place, and two 7th place ribbons. 

4H is not just a riding club for horses, cow showing, and gardening. There are many educational aspects the participants learn but when asked what she thought the most important lesson was, Tiffany Buschbaucher-Curran, the barn owner and trainer said “the best lesson 4H kids learn is how to be a part of a team… a club. They cheer on each other even if they are in the same classes. The state fair taught a bit more respect for the horses because of the long hours of the show, taking care of the horses as needed, and cheering on barn mates along with other riders.”