SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The Fairfield County 4-H Drill team recently performed in Pfizer Fantasia at Equine Affaire in Springfield, Massachusetts. Equine Affaire, the largest horse exposition in New England, featured four days of clinics, demonstrations, and commercial exhibits.

Pfizer Fantasia, a highlight of the Equine Affaire, is a unique musical celebrating the horse and it played to crowds of 10,000 people. The 4-H Drill team, the only youth performers in Pfizer Fantasia, is composed of 12 local 4-H’ers and their horses.

Team members include Liz Rowland, Alyssa Osiecki, Alison Rose, Justin Griffin, Lindsay Hudson-Tolles, Alyssa Hudson-Tolles, Katie Forcier, Lara Wityak, Allie Wityak, Taylor Bolles, Haley Rowland, and Mel Phelan.

Ken Forcier and Kim Phelan are the coaches. Lindsay and Alyssa Hudson-Tolles and Taylor Bolles are all from Newtown.

A drill is a mounted group performance of precision maneuvers ridden to music. Unique to this team is two horseback flag twirlers. In the 4-H Drill team, a variety of riding levels, riding disciplines and horse breeds are represented.

“In addition to improving their riding skills, participating in the drill team also improves a youngster’s teamwork and problem-solving skills as well as their sense of responsibility and commitment,” said coach Forcier.

In addition to their performance at Equine Affaire, the Fairfield County 4-H Drill team has performed at numerous fairs, horse show intermissions, parades and the University of Connecticut Horse Symposium.

All Drill team members are members of the Pineview 4-H Club.