Austin Coffey reached one of the
crowning moments of his 4-H horse show career this summer at the 4-H
Southern Regional Championship Show in Lexington, Virginia, while
10-year-old Audry Halcomb received reserve high point champion at
the Kentucky state 4-H show this past July, in her first summer
showing a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse.
Austin is an experienced young
horseman having shown in a variety of areas of 4-H horsemanship over
the past eight years, representing the High Hopes 4-H Club in
Monticello, Ky. He has successfully ridden several different mounts
in competitions across Kentucky, mastering both Western and English
disciplines.
Audry, a talented young horsewoman,
also placed first at the International show this October; in the 11
and under showmanship.
Austin became eligible to compete at
the regional level after competing at the state level in Louisville,
Ky. He competed for the first time riding a beautiful silver dapple
Kentucky Spotted Mountain Horse named Pushers Confederate Lady at
the prestigious Southern Regional Championship . Austin managed to
capture the first place blue ribbon in the Non Trotting Showmanship
Class, as well as first place in the Non Trotting Equitation Class.
He also placed fifth in the Racking Horse Pleasure Class.
"We were so proud of his performance
at such a high level show. Austin has worked so hard over the years
to reach this goal. This is his last year to compete in 4-H and he
is very deserving of this recognition," said Kari Sullivan, who is
his 4-H Leader. Sullivan owns and trains Pushers Confederate Lady.
She and her husband Steve, own High Hopes Stables located in
Monticello. "These classes consisted of approximately 40 exceptional
horses from 13 states, so the competition was very stiff," said
Sullivan.
In addition, Austin and Pushers
Confederate Lady received the High Point Award for the Non-trotting
Division.
Austin is the 18-year-old son of Dale and Phyllis
Coffey of Burnside, KY. He plans to attend college in the south and
major in aerospace engineering. His plans definitely include riding
his western pleasure mare, QT.
