Gina Batten Morrison, of Marietta, sat and baked in the sun, as 98-degree temperatures stifled not only those who were trying to escape by sitting under umbrellas, but horses and riders going through their paces in the ring in the 4-H English Horse Show on Wednesday morning at the Scioto County Fair.

Morrison had the job of judging the youngsters who rode their horses

“There's various things that we're looking for. We had confirmation classes this morning with mare and foal, and yearling class is judged on the confirmation of the horses,” she said. “How they're put together, how they're built and showmanship is how the kids present their horses and how they work together. And equitation is done the same way as showmanship, only they're riding in equitation.”

Taylor Hatfield, of McDermott, rides in the equitation class.

“It's just judged on you,” Hatfield said. “How you sit and present your horse.”

Morrison said 4-H'ers entered in the English Horse Show perform different patterns, and later on in the afternoon, the arena is the site of a trail class.

Justin Woodrow, of Minford, knew what he would be judged on.

“They're looking for a really good horse that can gait real good,” Woodrow said.

He said he has been working with “Spook” for three years.

Lexy Witter, of Lucasville, said preparation for an event like the horse show requires repetition.

“I had to ride my horse every day to get her used to stuff,” Witter said. “And I've been riding her every day here at the fair. I have to sit in my saddle, I will have to walk up to cones, and I'll have to get the right gait.”

Morrison said by the time the Scioto County Fair rolled around, some of the horse show participants already had been involved in competition at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.