Ten Years Together:

Juli Williams, left, and Rachel Neal have spent part of the last ten summers together at the Porter County Fair. The two are both 10 year 4-H’rs and have both been involved in the Horse and Pony project for the last ten seasons. Here the two share smiles of victory and nostalgia after taking Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion respectively, in the Single Cart draft horse driving competition, held Saturday. Williams, 19, drove “Bob,” while Neal, 18, drove “Oscar;” both Belgian draft horses. Williams, a member of the Jackson Volunteers, is a sophomore at I.U. where she is studying English and plans to become a teacher. Neal is a sophomore at P.N.C. and a member of the Center Wildcats. Both are Chesterton High School graduates and this is their last summer to be eligible to be 4-H members.

In the ring:

Juli Williams gives encouragement to “Bob,” a Belgian Draft Horse, in the Single Cart competition held Saturday at the Porter County Fair. Her dad, Robert, is beside her as she executes a turn in the ring. Williams, a Jackson Volunteer, earned Grand Champion in the class. Williams is a Chesterton High School graduate now attending I.U. The Horse and Pony project classes will continue this week, beginning with the Trail Horse Class today at 1:30 p.m. English Showmanship and Equitation classes will be Tuesday; Western Showmanship and Equitation on Wednesday and Pony classes will be Thursday. Speed Show and Gaming will be followed on Friday by the Master Showmanship Competition.

Confidence under pressure:

Rachel Neal shows her confidence under pressure during the Single Cart competition held Saturday at the Porter County Fair. Neal and her Belgian Draft Horse “Oscar” earned Reserve Grand Champion in the class. Neal’s father, John, is beside her in the cart. Neal, a member of the Center Wildcats, is a Chesterton High School graduate now attending P.N.C. The Horse and Pony project classes will continue all this week.

Standing Proud:

Andrea Glasser, 16, stands with her Belgian Draft Horse “Mike.” Glasser, a member of the Jackson Volunteer 4-H club, competed Saturday in the Draft Horse driving competitions. The Horse and Pony project classes will continue this week. The Trail Horse Class begins Monday at 1:30 p.m.; English Showmanship and Equitation classes will be Tuesday; Western Showmanship and Equitation on Wednesday and Pony classes will be Thursday. Speed Show and Gaming will be followed on Friday by the Master Showmanship Competition.

Eye on the Judge:

Andrea Glasser keeps her eye on the judge while backing up her Belgian Draft Horse “Mike.” Glasser competed Saturday in the Draft Horse driving competitions. Beside her is her dad, Bruce.

Day of the big horses:

Contestants compete in the 4-H draft horse competition Sunday at the Porter County Fair.

Best of Breed:

Emily Cole’s Silver Marten Rabbit won Best of Breed in the Porter County Fair 4-H Rabbit judging. Cole, 10, is shown here holding “Chewy,” her black Silver Marten. Cole, a member of the Jackson Volunteers, is a 5th grader at South Haven Christian School. Various animal projects and judging will continue throughout this week at the fair.