MONROE - Dressing up in costume was serious business for some 4-H members showing their horses and ponies Tuesday at the Green County Fairgrounds.
Entrants in the costume class must make a costume for both their horses and themselves.
"(Judges) are looking for posture, horse control, costume originality and whether the horse behaves," said Alejandra Ortiz, 9, of Evansville. Ortiz was the groom for Venessa Narveson, 11, New Glarus.
Getting ready for competition requires some extra help.
Besides grooming, Ortiz places the saddle and bridle on the horse, and picks its hooves.
Narveson's horse sported a wispy pin bow around the neck to complement her rider's fairy costume.
"I just pinned her wings on," said Sue Watrud, Narveson's grandmother, who comes to the event every year.
This is Narveson's third year in the event, but experience does not ensure a win.
Much to Watrud and Ortiz's disappointment, Narveson did not place in the event.
First place in the 3rd-7th grade class went to Brook Bidlingmaier, 12, Monticello, dressed as a genie, and her horse, Casey, 21, dressed as an elephant.
Watrud said the elephant costume was impressive.
The horse's body and head was mostly covered in gray material, and the head piece had large floppy elephant ears. The stuffed elephant trunk appeared to be curling every time Casey bobbed his head.
This was Bidlingmaier's first time in the costume class.
"He was tolerant of (the costume), and the elephant was unique," Bidlingmaier said about her choice of costume.
Mel Flesher, Monticello's half-time basketball game shows director, helped her develop the creative idea, according to Bidlingmaier's mother, Kathy.
"Brook last year saw (the costume competition) and thought it was so wonderful. They started thinking about it right away," she said.
Second place in the age group went to Kally Jo Crouch, who dressed as Little Bo Peep, and her fully costumed horse appeared as the lamb.
Abby Bethke placed third with her horse with a bee costume.
In the eighth grade and above class, Ashton Crouch and his horse took first place with a Zorro costume. Emily Seeling, Chelsea Vogel and Sarah Rhoe took second, third and fourth, respectively.
First-time entrant Jenna Langmeier, 12, and her horse, Bee, 7, did not place with their Santa and reindeer costumes. Langmeier had fashioned a bright red Santa jacket with fur trim and black belt for herself, and reindeer antlers and red cannon "socks" for Bee.
Nor did Arika Streuly, 8, and Apple Jack, 12, win in their first attempt with an Indian maiden and pony costumes. Streuly used her great-great-grandfather's horse blanket for the Indian pony blanket.
But both said they entered "because it's fun."
Entrants in the costume class must make a costume for both their horses and themselves.
"(Judges) are looking for posture, horse control, costume originality and whether the horse behaves," said Alejandra Ortiz, 9, of Evansville. Ortiz was the groom for Venessa Narveson, 11, New Glarus.
Getting ready for competition requires some extra help.
Besides grooming, Ortiz places the saddle and bridle on the horse, and picks its hooves.
Narveson's horse sported a wispy pin bow around the neck to complement her rider's fairy costume.
"I just pinned her wings on," said Sue Watrud, Narveson's grandmother, who comes to the event every year.
This is Narveson's third year in the event, but experience does not ensure a win.
Much to Watrud and Ortiz's disappointment, Narveson did not place in the event.
First place in the 3rd-7th grade class went to Brook Bidlingmaier, 12, Monticello, dressed as a genie, and her horse, Casey, 21, dressed as an elephant.
Watrud said the elephant costume was impressive.
The horse's body and head was mostly covered in gray material, and the head piece had large floppy elephant ears. The stuffed elephant trunk appeared to be curling every time Casey bobbed his head.
This was Bidlingmaier's first time in the costume class.
"He was tolerant of (the costume), and the elephant was unique," Bidlingmaier said about her choice of costume.
Mel Flesher, Monticello's half-time basketball game shows director, helped her develop the creative idea, according to Bidlingmaier's mother, Kathy.
"Brook last year saw (the costume competition) and thought it was so wonderful. They started thinking about it right away," she said.
Second place in the age group went to Kally Jo Crouch, who dressed as Little Bo Peep, and her fully costumed horse appeared as the lamb.
Abby Bethke placed third with her horse with a bee costume.
In the eighth grade and above class, Ashton Crouch and his horse took first place with a Zorro costume. Emily Seeling, Chelsea Vogel and Sarah Rhoe took second, third and fourth, respectively.
First-time entrant Jenna Langmeier, 12, and her horse, Bee, 7, did not place with their Santa and reindeer costumes. Langmeier had fashioned a bright red Santa jacket with fur trim and black belt for herself, and reindeer antlers and red cannon "socks" for Bee.
Nor did Arika Streuly, 8, and Apple Jack, 12, win in their first attempt with an Indian maiden and pony costumes. Streuly used her great-great-grandfather's horse blanket for the Indian pony blanket.
But both said they entered "because it's fun."