Summer has been a busy time for many of Currituck's 4-H youth and their horses. Since May, they have competed in district, regional, state and national equestrian competitions and have come back with some top awards.

Many of the 4-H competitors belong to the Blue Ribbon Riders Drill Team club. The team led the opening ceremony of the Northeast District 4-H Horse Show held at the Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center and the N.C. State 4-H Show.

"The Blue Ribbon Riders Drill Team always gives a great performance," said Sandra Conner, Currituck's 4-H program associate coordinator. "The team is awesome."

During the state 4-H horse show, held July 13 at the J.B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex in Raleigh, five members of the Blue Ribbon Riders Drill Team took the top 15 awards in the Junior Gaming Speed Division. Nikki Franklin was named the Junior Reserve Champion, Kasey Hocutt took 3rd place, Danny Wallace 10th place, John Blanchard 12th place and Jennifer Carroll earned the 15th place award.

Three of the Blue Ribbon Team members also excelled in the Senior Gaming Speed Division. Bethanne Overman was named Senior Champion; Terri Nobles took 5th place and Sarah Blanchard took home 11th place.

According to Connie Hocutt, the Blue Ribbon Drill Team members work together but also compete against each other in individual events. She said the one thing about the group is that the kids are always encouraging each other and are happy for those who do well.

Another Currituck 4-H rider, Layla Rolfes, received a State Silver Medal for her 4-H presentation in Junior Horse Public Speaking. She also competed in the Western Division and took 5th place in Showmanship.

Other Western Division winners include Farrell Eike, who took 4th place in Showmanship, 2nd place in Western Pleasure and 3rd place in Western Equitation. Kathryn Williams won 4th, 7th and 8th place in Versatility classes, 8th place in Stock Type Hunter Under Saddle, 9th place in Western Pleasure Junior Horse and 9th place in Stock Seat Equitation.

In early August, 4-H state winners traveled to Memphis, Tenn. to represent the state in the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championship. Three Blue Ribbon Riders Drill Team members took the top 20 spots in a number of competitions, including Overman who received Reserve Champion in the Speed Events. Overman also took 5th place among 102 competitors in Poles, 4th place in Barrels and 12th place in the Stake Race. Nobles took 18th place in Poles and Danny Wallace 20th place.