Chesney shines at state 4-H Championship

In her first year competing in 4-H, Anna Chesney of Neshoba County earned the High Point Junior Award at the State 4-H Horse Championship last week in Jackson.

Chesney is the 13-year-old daughter of Steven and Crystal Chesney and will enter eighth grade at Neshoba Central this fall.

She and her cow-bred quarter horse, Doc, delivered a strong performance in the Junior Speed events on Wednesday, placing first in poles, second in barrels, and third in stakes.

Chesney earned the highest total points in the category, and on Thursday, she also placed third in the Junior Division for goat tying.

“I was surprised,” Chesney said. “Just a year ago, I was trotting him through poles for the first time. He’s just been really good.”

Chesney will advance to the Regional 4-H Horse Championship, set for July 30–Aug. 3 in Perry, Georgia. She and Doc have only been a team for a year, but Chesney said she already knows all of her horse’s buttons.

“I was proud of him, and kind of nervous,” she said. “I’m excited to see how it goes. I’m working on being more consistent with not knocking things, getting faster, and just having fun.”

Chesney’s mother, Crystal Chesney, added, “We just want to make sure that we keep him in shape and that she gets in some practice runs. Our goal is to keep getting better, and maybe we might win.”

Chesney credits her barrel racing and pole bending coach, Ricky Thaggard, for helping her train Doc and teaching her how to use her feet while navigating the poles. She also thanked her father and many others for their support.

“A week before, we went to my trainer’s cowboy camp and got him tuned up,” Chesney said. “We worked on getting him in shape, listening to my feet and hands, going through the patterns, and making sure he was ready and that I could ride him right.”

Though new to 4-H and having only started riding lessons a year ago in February, Chesney said the welcoming atmosphere is what stood out most.

“I like how supportive the people are, how they cheer, how they are all excited for each other, and how they build each other up,” she said.

“I’m really proud of her,” Chesney’s mother added. “I’m proud of her for all the hard work she’s put in to learn the right way to do it. It’s paid off for her.”

Chesney’s advice to other young people interested in 4-H is to “just have fun and do what you love.”