Horse sense makes for success at fair
By Drew Espeseth

This year, Unhjem won the 4H High Point Horsemanship Award in the senior division.

"There are three divisions, and the senior division is ages 15-18," Unhjem said.

The 4H High Point Horsemanship Award is given to the individual who receives the most combined points showing and competing with two horses.

Unhjem has personally trained all of her animals.

"I’ve trained both of my horses to do what they do," she said.

That’s not always the case with her competition, however.

"There’s one person who everyone always expects to win everything," Unhjem said of her 4H competitors, "but he sends his horse to Wyoming every year for training."

In addition to the 4H High Point Award, Unhjem won first place in the senior division of the pole bending competition at the fair.

Unhjem has grown up around horses, enjoying it all along.

"I know I started riding before I could walk -- we have pictures," Unhjem said with a laugh.

She started running barrels and poles when she was 4 or 5, and started showing horses in 4H at the age of 8.

During her years of horse competitions, Unhjem has collected many awards and honors.

Last year, she was the Junior Division Reserve All-Around Champion in the Northwest Saddle Club, where she showed two different horses.

"We had five shows last year, and four this year," Unhjem said of her Northwest Saddle Club competitions.

Unhjem graduated from Divide County High School last spring, and it’s no surprise she plans to continue her work with horses in the future.

"I’m going to Rapid City, to National American University," she said.

Unhjem plans to major in business with an emphasis in equine management.

"One day I’d like to own my own stable to train horses and give riding lessons," said Unhjem.