Crystal Hart didn't take the customary route to the student veterinarian program at the Texas State 4-H Horse Show.

She isn't "horsey."

Her family pets are dogs and cats. She used to volunteer at the Abilene Zoo, which highlights animals such as giraffes and monkeys, but has a dearth of horses. A self-described military brat, Hart spent time in Germany while growing up, in addition to stints in Arizona, "but I come home to Abilene now," she said.

She's back home as part of an annual program where Texas A&M veterinary students get hands-on experience at the 4-H horse show.

A 2001 graduate of Cooper High School, Hart was a member of the school's fiddle group for two years and the Cougar basketball team for four years. She doesn't play the fiddle anymore but says she could if she had to. Her fellow students have picked up on that talent and started calling her "Fiddler."

She got involved in a veterinary program after majoring in zoology at Texas A&M. She said she wanted something more challenging.

Hart volunteered at the zoo, and says her experience with more exotic animals at the zoo has given her hindsight in animal care now that she is into the veterinarian program.

"I looked into the veterinarian program and found out that I needed experience in that field," she recalled. The family uses Dr. John Dearing and Dr. Russell Ueckert for their pets and she volunteered to work with them.

"I spend every summer and holiday breaks working for them now," she said.

The highlight of the week so far at the 4-H horse show was the daylong visit at the equine lab at the famous 6666 Ranch in Guthrie on Wednesday. She and another student, Chris Merren of Brady, were shown the ranch's facilities by Dr. Brian Fitzgerald.

On the expo center grounds, Hart said she has worked with some colic problems, some eye problems and a cut where one horse kicked another.

Dr. Mike Miller of the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science brings six vet students to Abilene each year for the 4-H horse show. Hart is the first Abilene resident in the program since 1996 when Dr. Randy Lewis participated.

Students can choose from three veterinarian programs: large animals, small animals and a mix of both. Hart has chosen the mix route.

Abilene connection in show office

Teri Antilley is identified in the 2008 4-H Horse Show program as assistant manager to show co-managers Dr. Pete Gibbs and Dr. Brett Scott. She is assistant to Gibbs when they are working in the Texas A&M University Animal Science Department.

But when in Abilene, she stays with her grandparents T.H. and Lola Antilley who live on Highway 36 south of Abilene Regional Airport.

She is a graduate of A&M and has worked for the 4-H horse program for five years.

Morris helping in arena

Maureen Morris of Colorado City is helping with the Showmanship at Halter Class. Her daughters Robin and Kelly have moved through the 4-H horse program and are at Texas Tech and Texas Christian universities, respectively. Robin is coach of the Red Raider equestrian team and Kelly has finished her freshman year and is on her school's equestrian team.

Thursday results

Grand and Reserve Champion Gelding (name, county)

Grand Shelby Elkins, Jefferson; Reserve -- Shelby Tibbitts, Brown

Grade Geldings 1. Taylor Watson, Wichita; 2. Nikki Luft, Bandera; 3. Audra Heard, Lubbock; 4. Colby Thompson, Cottle; 5. Linda Ashli Horak, Lee; 6. Kayla Davis, Taylor; 7. Kaylon Bonnema, Brown; 8. Liza Spullock, Bell; 9. John Ryan Sullivan, Lamb; 10. Garrett Thompson, Cottle.

Registered Geldings age 4 and under (name, county)

Shelby Tibbitts, Brown; 2. Bayle Falkenbury, Gaines; 3. Garrett Kallus, Fayette; 4. T.J. Hudson, Tom Green; 5. Lincoln Vivion, Rusk; 6. Cheyenne Clements, Lubbock; 7. Caitlin Dunsmore, Collin; 8. Lauren Cooper, Montgomery; 9. Kaleigh King, Comal; 10. Jaden Rhodes, Taylor.

Registered Geldings age 5 and over (name, county)

Shelby Elkins, Jefferson; 2. Reanna Lee, Wichita; 3. Holly Dane, Johnson; 4. Jennifer Wright, Archer; 5. Lilly Morris, Bell; 6. Savannah Meider, Henderson; 7. Lauren Osgood, Harris; 8. Shawn Brooks, Hays; 9. Kristen Olsovsky, Fayette; 10. Meghan Wied, Victoria.

Grand and Reserve Champion Mare (name, county)

Grand Dusty Drouin, Bandera; Reserve Kasey Landrum, Montgomery.

Grade Mares 1. Jessica Bolen, Tom Green; 2. Chesley Hinds, Ellis; 3. Seth Baxter, Motley; 4. Mikayla Diaz, Brown; 5. Wyatt Taylor, Caldwell; 6. Shelby Leppin, Williamson; 7. Morgan Little, Armstrong; 8. Zach Rother, Lee; 9. Jodi Gillespie, Hardeman; 10. Hana Huff, Johnson.

Registered Mares age 4 and under (name, county)

Dusty Drouin, Bandera; 2. Kasey Landrum, Montgomery; 3. Cheyenne Guelker, Mitchell; 4. Carley Rinn, Austin; 5. Tessa Johnson, Armstrong; 6. Kalinda Lopez, Tarrant; 7. Amanda Thormton, Bell; 8. Pecos McDonald, Lamar; 9. Victoria Summers, Kendall; 10. Audrey Korenek, Matagorda.

Registered Mares age 5 and over (name, county)

Chyna Tinney, Cooke; 2. Jolie Phillips, Terry; 3. Justin Stuart, Fisher; 4. Hillary King, Rusk; 5. Hannah Powell, Johnson; 6. Ashton Dunkel, Archer; 7. Madalene, Rodgers, Bee; 8. Cameron Gniffke, Parker; 9. Landry Little, Armstrong; 10. Turner Crecelius, Johnson.