DANVILLE — It’s not often that you get an opportunity to make history.
But the hard work and dedication of the ladies who are part of the Hendricks County Color Guard have gotten that chance and will try to break a record as the only county color guard to be four-time consecutive champions at the Indiana State Fair later this summer.
There are eight members of the color guard, each with their own horses, and the team is coached by Laura Smith and Cindy McKean.
“If we win the fourth year, it’s history-making,” Smith said. “No other county has done this consecutively. The girls work really hard.”
Smith said color guard demonstrates horsemanship skills while presenting the colors of 4-H, the state of Indiana, and the United States of America.
“It teaches teamwork and horsemanship,” she said. “If you knew how many hours of practice that takes to master, you’d be amazed. We have a really good group. They all like each other and enjoy it and that makes them successful.”
Senior Rachel Nielsen, who is in her last year of color guard and will soon head to the University of Indianapolis, said she’s been in the color guard for the past seven years.
“It’s sad.,” she said. “I’m gonna miss it a lot. It’s like being part of a family.”
Nielsen said she heard a lot about color guard when she was new to 4-H and wanted to give it a try. She added that she hopes they can pull out another victory to finish off her time in the guard.
“It would be an amazing way to go out,” she said. “We’ve worked so hard for this.”
Karissa Brummett, another senior, will be performing in her last state fair in August as well. Brummett will attend Purdue University in the fall.
“I’ve made a lot of really good friends and I’ve bonded with my horse,” she said.
Brummett said the extremely tight formations that the guard makes during their performances are what they are known for at the state fair.
“I really hope we win this year,” she said. “I’m coming back next year as an assistant coach.”
Smith’s daughter, Traci, said she’s learned how to be part of a team and work together throughout her time on the guard.
“We all have to work together,” she said. “I’ve learned that dedication gets you places. There’s a lot of pressure (going into the state fair). We’re hoping they’re not going to be too picky.”
Tryouts for the color guard are held in April. There is also a junior color guard, and Smith said some of those girls will be bumped up to the color guard. Their hope is to have two color guard teams in Hendricks County.
Team members include Kelly Hendricks, Christina Lee, Nikeita Leatherwood, Christina Stucker, and Veronica Blair. Junior team members are Audrey Wehrman, Sarah Crone, Dallas Smith, Ester Berryman, Tara Johnson, and Shaun Sullivan.
For more information on the team visit its Hendricks County 4-H Color Guard Facebook page.
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