By Paula Pyzik Scott

Bluffton High School student Danielle Cross, a rising senior, and Sadie Melton, a Bluffton Middle School student, have returned from the 2024 Ohio State Fair Junior Horse Show with plenty to be proud of. Both girls are members of the Equine Country 4-H Club in Allen County. 

Cross placed Reserve Champion in Senior Horse Stakes, 3rd in Senior Horse Barrels and Senior Horse Keyhole, just missing the next place up by tenths of seconds. 

Melton placed 3rd in Junior Pony Pole Bending, 4th in Junior Pony Keyhole, and 10th in Junior Pony Barrels.

Cross and her horse Riley, an 11-year-old quarter horse, have only been together since August 2023 and this was their first Ohio State Fair competition together.

Cross started her equestrian career on the family’s pony Dakota, who was ridden by Melton in this competition. The BHS senior enjoys mentoring other riders. She has been competing at the Ohio State Fair since she was nine years old. Her mother, Tiffany, says, “Danielle's horses are her family and loves that she got to share Dakota and mentor Sadie.” This is Melton’s first outing at the state show.

Allen County 4-H advisor Kelly Coble notes that some 15 Allen County youth participated in the Ohio State Fair Junior Horse Show. The Allen County Fair will include Horse Show competition on August 20-21.

Cross will run barrels and poles at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus in October.