CUMBERLAND — Malia Strawderman took home multiple ribbons Tuesday at the Allegany County Fair Horse Show aboard her thoroughbred, Wonder How.
Malia, 15, won grand champion and second place ribbons in multiple classes, including senior showmanship, halter, overall and English pleasure and all-day trot.
She said she got Wonder How about eight months ago.
“We got him off the track. He was a race horse and put through a lot,” she said. “But, he’s been doing great. We want to put about 100 more pounds on him.”
Held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, the fair runs through Saturday.
The annual Horse Show is sponsored by the Allegany County 4-H Club.
“I’ve been riding for about seven years,” Malia said. “My sisters rode about a year before I did so that kind of started my love for horses. It’s just you and the horse and you have that bond. It’s a process that can take about a year to get them to work with you.”
Malia said her sister Ava, 18, helped her appreciate horses. Ava also participated in Tuesday’s Horse Show aboard Eko, a Friesian breed.
“I did the walk/trot class and got senior division second place,” said Ava. “Eko is a lot of fun. He has a lot of energy and a get up and go.”
Ava, who plans to study nursing, said she rides three to four days a week. “I’ll keep on riding. I love horses,” she said.
Wednesday features at the fair include reading to barn animals at 3 p.m. sponsored by the Allegany County Library System and 4-H sheep showing and judging at 5 p.m. Rides open at 5 and Christian singer Anne Wilson will perform at 8 p.m.
Ava and Malia’s mother, Wendy Strawderman, is the leader of the 4-H Just Hoofin’ It Club.
“My children have always had an interest in horses,” she said. “We came out to the fair one year and my children walked through the horse tent.
“We met the Book family, Jim and Amy Book, who had their children showing at the time and they invited us to come to their home where they had horses. Their children — who were 4-Hers — they taught my kids. They got their start there.”
The Strawdermans ride at Four Season Farm on Knobley Road in West Virginia. Wendy said riding is hard work but rewarding work.
“It’s difficult and frustrating many days because the horses have a mind of their own some days,” she said. “But they stick with it and get a great benefit. 4-H in general has been super beneficial and I always say they are learning skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.”
Maria Eckard, 19, of Flintstone, is the president of the 4-H Just Hoofin’ It Club.
“4-H teaches so much more than working with horses and livestock,” said Eckard. “It’s more about resilience and determination. I had a lot of opportunities outside the show ring. I received a few scholarships this past year, which is really beneficial.”
Eckard also rides and owns two horses including Princeton, a Tennessee Walking Horse.
“I’ve competing in state competition in things like public speaking and judging through 4-H,” she said. “It’s incredible. You learn so much past the ribbons.”
Other winners in the Horse Show included Lilly McCormack, 13, of Frostburg aboard her horse Bella from the Secret Stables in Midland. She won first place in command, walk, tort and lope categories.