Chewin The Cud - May 25, 2021

annually collected a number of yearend awards including several highpoint honors. The recogni- tions were not without plenty of advance effort. “All of my family works hard with our horses riding daily and assisting with ranch work,” Michelle verified. “We generally are always the first ones at a show. We make sure our horses are warmed up ready for a full day.” Qualifying at District 4-H Horse Shows, Michelle has exhibited horses at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson ever since she was old enough. “We didn’t have to qualify at district last year due to the coronavirus, but I did show at the state fair,” she said. “It really went well and I placed in the top ten in five classes both perfor - mance and speed events.” Upon entering high school, Michelle enrolled in vocational agriculture classes and joined FFA. “I was elected an FFA officer three years and have just completed my term as president,” she said. “I really enjoy judging horses as well as all species of livestock. Both the district and state FFA contests have been enjoyable and educa- tional. “I was eighth in the state horse judging contest as a sophomore,” Michelle noted. “Our team with my sister Heather and Carissa Dalquest placed second qualifying us for national compe- tition.” Highlight of Michelle’s judging experiences was competing at the American Quarter Horse Asso- ciation Youth World Show. “That contest really made a lifetime impression,” she admitted. While she’s efficient in horseshow and ranch work, Michelle doesn’t have as much interest in rodeo competition. “I’ve been in several youth rodeos, and have done some roping, but I pre- fer horse shows,” she said. After losing one of her horses, Michelle feels fortunate to have a new horse from trainer Am- ber Henderson at Topeka. “This sorrel gelding called Mack is a great one,” Michelle said. “I have also learned so much taking riding lessons from Amber.” Receiving a half-dozen higher education sti- pends during class day activities, Michelle was recipient of the Gordon Morrison Scholarship. “Mr. Morrison taught agriculture at Council Grove many years ago,” she said. “He’s attend - ed the FFA banquet several times and has been such an inspiration to me.” While she’ll be competing in the district 4-H horse show, Michelle isn’t sure if she’ll be at the

state fair. “With Mack in the performance class- es and my black horse Diesel to run, I’m con- fident I can quality,” she said. “However, with college I don’t know if I can get to the state fair.” This fall, Michelle will be attending Butler Coun- ty Community College in El Dorado. “I plan to major in mass communications specializing in journalism and photography,” she said. “I’ve been taking classes online, so I should get my degree in another year-and-a-half.” With diploma in hand, Michelle will be just 19-years-old as she looks toward a profession working for an agriculture publication. “Of course, I’ll write, but I’m really excited about livestock and ranch photography,” she said. “I would like to develop my own photography busi- ness later on.” While horse work could be limited during col- lege and starting her professional life, Michelle will always be a cowgirl. “I want to continue to help on the ranch when I can and also ride in horse shows,” Michelle Patry said. “I would like for my children to be involved with horses, too. I hope they can even show in registered Quarter Horse events.”