GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Fairgrounds is used to hosting big events, and this weekend is no different.

Cattleman’s Arena will host the University of Florida UF/FAS 4-H Youth Development Program’s 2023 Area North Horse Show this Friday and Saturday, May 12-13.

“With Clay County 4-H hosting this youth horse show, we are providing an opportunity for our young people from across north Florida to learn, grow and showcase their hard work and talent in a safe and friendly environment,” said Clay County 4-H Agent Stephanie Conner.

Riders from 16 counties will compete for the right to represent the northern portion of the state later this summer at the 4-H’s State Horse Show, which will be hosted at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa on July 12-15.

Riders aged 8-18 will showcase the skills they have worked to build throughout one or more years in the following disciplines of Equestrian: Speed, Ranch, Western, Hunter/English, and Dressage. Among 72 riders, five children will bear the flag for Clay County’s 4-H program, including Bailey Conner, Riley Kinnear, Lacee Mathewson, Olivia Tener and Catrina Willison.

“The Clay County Fairgrounds is a great facility for our show because it not only meets the needs of classes, horses, and families but also because we have a great partnership with the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, local businesses, and local ranches,” Conner said. “Hosting this show also brings business to Clay County itself and our resources, whether that is through hotels/Camp Chow, feed stores, and gas stations.”

The Area North Show, which serves as one of four qualifying rounds for the state finals, is the last show marked on what has been an already-packed calendar for horse-loving youth in Florida. The Area East Show was hosted last weekend (May 5-7) in Apopka and the Area West and South shows took place in April in Bushnell and Okeechobee.

For those who do not wish to ride a horse during the show, there are other opportunities to compete for regional and state titles in events such as 4-H Horse Judging, State 4-H Hippology, 4-H Horse Presentations and the Quiz Bowl.