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GIRARD -- Two area girls received top honors this fall at a state horse-riding competition.
Lillian Mease, 5, of Warren, placed first in the age 6 and under category for walk / trot at the National Academy Championship Horse Show held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She was top in the nation in her category. Julia Anderson, 12, a student at Howland schools, earned two second-place awards. She was in the top 10 in her age 11-12 category for the nation.
Lillian is the daughter of William and Jennifer Mease. She has been riding horses for two years and is a kindergarten student at Howland schools.
"I like being around horses and getting to ride them," Lillian said indicating the ribbons she won are in her bedroom.
Lauren Burin, Lillian's riding instructor at Burin Training Stables LLC, said she and her sisters grew up on a farm and now have a riding business in Vienna, offering lessons for anyone from age 3 to riders in their 80s.
Burin said Lillian showed her horse all year to prepare for competing in the age 6 and younger walk / trot category. Ten riders competed in that age category.
"Because she is young, I lead the horse she rides and she controls the horse to walk and trot," Burin said. "She was judged on how she controls the horse and her posture. She rides two to three days a week."
Lillian started showing in April when she won her first class.
Next year, she will be in the walk, trot and canter category, which is galloping.
Lillian's sister Jocelyn, 7, also has started showing after seeing what was involved when she watched her sister at the horse shows.
Julia is a seventh-
grader at John F. Kennedy High School. Her parents are Jill and Todd Anderson.
"I was excited to know I made the top 10," Julia, who has been showing horses for four years, said. "Riding has taught me lessons that I would not have learned if I was not in the industry."
Julia placed seventh out of 48 participants in her category. She competed for a few days and then advanced to the next competition.
"It is important to be confident and not scared … You have to understand the horse and see what their mood is like. You might have to meet them halfway," she said indicating she started riding and showing at age 7.
"These are prestigious awards," Burin said.
Burin said she has several riders who show locally in Canfield.
"There are several riders who are winning their divisions locally," Burin said.
Other riders are from Pennsylvania, including Olivia Black from Butler who placed fourth in ages 7-8 walk / trot, Payton Ruff from Mount Pleasant who placed third in ages 9-10 walk / trot, and Hayden Ruff from Mount Pleasant, who placed fourth in ages 12-13 walk, trot and canter.