Venneri earns supreme champion in halter show
Katie Venneri of Fayette City earned Supreme Champion at the 4-H Halter Show on Thursday with her Palomino named Zips Peachy Girl. “I had high expectations. She was the reserve last year,’ smiled Venneri, the 16-year-old daughter of Chuck and Suzanne Venneri and a junior at Frazier High School.
So how did she feel when she won?
“I was happy,’ commented Venneri. “She’s a good horse.’
In fact, Zips Peachy Girl and Venneri were state champions two years ago at the Pennsylvania 4-H Show in Harrisburg.
Why is this horse a winner?
“She’s put together real nice. She’s got everything a halter horse should have,’ said Venneri.
In addition, to Zips Peachy Girl, Venneri brought two Quarterhorses to the fair and has been busy working as fair staff in the mornings. It’s been a busy fair for her.
Asked why she likes working with horses, Venneri doesn’t hesitate to answer: “It’s an escape from everything else. It’s just you and the horse. It’s more than an animal, it’s a friend.’
Other results from the 4-H Halter Show, which took place at the Horse Arena, include:
Appaloosa: Grand champion mare, Tim Meade of Vanderbilt with Maddy; reserve grand champion, Kylie Cavanaugh of Connellsville with Jesse. Arabian: Grand champion gelding, Rachael Thompson of Uniontown with Lily. Paint: Grand champion colts and gelding, Rachel Free of Smock with Emeralds Jerry Lee; reserve grand champion, Jessica McGee of Dunbar; grand champion aged Paint mare, Zach Marella of Fairchance with Doc’s Klassy Kat; reserve grand champion, Kelsey Breakiron of Hopwood with SqueezeMeIn.
Palomino: Grand champion mare, Katie Venneri of Fayette County with Zips Peachy Girl; reserve grand champion, Sabrina Szabo of Smithfield with Darins Blonde; grand champion gelding, Nicole Palo with Skippy. Pinto: Grand champion gelding, Kevin Mitchell of Scottdale with Canadian Cotton; grand champion aged mare, Sammie Brame of Dunbar with Rosie.
Quarterhorse: Grand champion cold/gelding: Katie Venneri with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Lark and reserve grand champion with unnamed horse; grand champion mare, Garrett Free of Smock with Emerald Hills Belle; reserve grand champion, Chris Diamond Jr. of Smithfield with Rapped in the Stars; grand champion Quarter pony gelding, Angel Kontaxes of Perryopolis with Lightning; reserve grand champion Kacie King of Scottdale with Romeo; grand champion Quarter pony mare, Alan Wingrove of Accident, Md., with May B A Beggar.
Thoroughbred: Grand champion gelding, Shelby Rice of Farmington with Sir Philip. Stock: grand champion gelding, Ashley Pennington with Damien; reserve grand champion, B.J. Brame with Poppers; grand champion mare, Sam Salantino of Connellsville with Clueless; reserve champion mare, Alexis Smith with Nellie.
In addition, Katie Venneri and Emily Venneri, both of Fayette City, and Carmen Grego III of Uniontown were chosen as a master showman.