Hartford teen’s love of horses spans years

BAZETTA -- Lily Welton, 13, said she initially got into 4-H because her parents decided it would be a good experience, but she considers 2026 to be her favorite year in the program thus far.

"I've had three years total -- this has been the most calming, most hot, but least stressful year I've had," said Welton, a Hartford resident.

Welton said she was 8 or 9 when she first started taking care of horses and participating in the Youth Equestrian Development Association in 2023.

"We basically draw horses every morning, and compete on horses we haven't known or ridden before," Welton said. "In summer 2024, I started barrel lessons and started 4-H, so it's been about three seasons."

Welton, who acknowledged horseback riding to be a very trust-oriented activity, said she's had her horse, an American Quarter Horse mare named "Zippos Makn It Rayane," for about four months now.

"After this, I have state, where I go and compete in western horsemanship, pleasure, barrels and keyhole -- after that, we will have a high school rodeo season once again," Welton said. "And (I'm) hoping to go to nationals and continue showing and racing."

Welton said she was planning to do one or two classes with her horse, acknowledging that the fun portion of the evening's events was canceled because of the heavy wildfire smoke that has darkened skies across the country, but the versatility portion was set to go on.

Welton said she feels a mix of nerves going into her events, but also feels the possibility and opportunity to show her horse again in the ring.

"This is going to be her first year in versatility, and getting to show her more and expose her to different styles of riding," Welton said. "Like we do reining tonight, English, and all of that, and getting to expose her and see how she feels in shows and different conditions."

Welton said building chemistry with a horse takes time, noting that if one were to see initial rides with a new horse, they wouldn't look good.

"Over time -- it only takes every single day -- we're on, we're showing, constantly improving, and making sure we're getting used to each other, and not getting all worked up," Welton said.

Welton said Friday's events weren't her last as she's set to partake in speed events Saturday, such as stakes, barrels, poles and keyhole, and judges grade on speed and technique.

Welton said Thursday wasn't as bad, but with the smoke, it was "very hard" to see.

"We were getting headaches -- lots of fan batteries got used; I showed Wednesday, actually, where it was really pounding down on heat," Welton said.

FAIR ATTENDANCE

Kierstin Holmes, the fair's secretary and board director, said the first few days of the fair have been good, but a little slow with the excessive heat and smoke in the air.

"All in all, we've had a pretty good turnout -- we've had about 15,000 for attendance so far," Holmes said. "Tuesday was busy; that's how we usually go. Wednesday and Thursday are a little slower -- today should pick up, especially with our truck and tractor pulls tonight in the grandstand."

Regarding the smoke and heat, Holmes said there are buildings fairgoers can enter to get out of the smoke and take a fresh breath, adding that there are fans on the animals and they are being kept hydrated.

"Just taking precautions -- keep hydrated, take a break from the air if you need to go inside," Holmes said.

Holmes encouraged people with breathing problems to take precautions and breaks, noting several locations that have air conditioning, such as the photography area behind their office, the reptile building and the commercial building, as well as the fish tanks.

"Keep yourself hydrated -- just be careful, and we always have the EMTs here, too, who can take care of you if you have an issue," Holmes said.