ROME TOWNSHIP — Kayla Corder gave Hannah Bustetter a few last-minute pointers about the essentials of showmanship Saturday just before Bustetter mounted Starbuck and strode off to compete in the annual Lawrence County Junior Fair Horse Show.

“She pretty much knows what she’s doing, though,” Corder said.

She did indeed know what she was doing. She walked away with three awards thanks to her expertise.

Not far away, Jacob Graybeal was getting ready to ride his quarter horse, Stormy, in the show. What makes a 13-year-old get up early on a Saturday morning, get a horse ready, get ready himself and then wait under a hot July sun at the fairgrounds to ride the ring?

“It’s fun,” he said matter-of-factly.

And for Jacob, rewarding, too. At the end of the day he would take home five awards.

Bustetter, Graybeal and 21 other young equestrians competed for honors in four divisions: Western, English, Easy-gaited and Contest.

And Saturday’s competition was just the latest event to showcase Lawrence County’s equestrian talent — previous events have moved some young people from local competitions to the state level.

“I’m proud of the fact we’ve got nine kids who qualified to go to state fair,” Lawrence County 4-H Extension Agent Laura Jane Murphy said.

Those qualifying for the state level were: Jesse Graybeal, Jonah Graybeal, Brianna Hairston, Meagan Hairston, Kayla Hayes, Meranda Hayes, Sarah Johnson, Summer Shafer and Erika Sipe.

Also, three 4-H members qualified in one Performance Against Standards class: Hannah Bustetter, Nikki Cosner and Samantha Corder. Stephen Ortego has earned the honor of Best Ground Roper.

The fair began Saturday and continues through this weekend.

Horse show winners

4Junior sportsmanship: Jacob Graybeal.

4Senior sportsmanship: Jenni Spradlin.

4Western showmanship: first place, Kelly Rudmann; second place, Jacob Graybeal; third place, Jenni Spradlin.

4English showmanship: first place, Lydia Burdette.

4Beginner showmanship: first place, Hannah Bustetter; second place, Brittany Clark, third place, Jaren Duncan.

4Pole bending: first place, Meagan Hairston; second place, Meranda Hayes; third place: Kayla Hayes.

4Beginner poles: first place, Jaren Duncan.

4English equitation: first place, Lydia Burdette.

4Easy gaited equitation: first place, Jesse Graybeal.

4Hunter under saddle: first place, Lydia Burdette.

4Barrels: first place, Jonah Graybeal; second place, Kayla Hayes; third place, Meranda Hayes.

4Beginner barrels: first place, Jaren Duncan; second place, Hannah Bustetter; third place: James Clark.

4Western pleasure: first place, Jonah Graybeal; second place, Jacob Graybeal; third place, Kelly Rudmann.

4Beginner western pleasure: first place, Chianne Hively; second place, Jaren Duncan; third place, Hannah Bustetter.

4English gaited pleasure: first place, Jesse Graybeal.

4Cones and barrels: first place, Meagan Hairston; second place, Jesse Graybeal; third place, Jonah Graybeal.

4Ground roping: first place, Hannah Bustetter.

4Versatility: senior winner, Jesse Graybeal; junior winner, Meranda Hayes.

4Senior skillathon: first place tie, Sarah Johnson and Erika Sipe; second place tie, Nikki Cosner and Meagan Hairston, third place, Brianna Hairston.

4Junior skillathon: first place, Samantha Corder; second place, Tiffany Corder; third place, Jacob Graybeal.