Noah Roheim, a 9-year old Slidell resident, who rides horses and competes in Equestrian Riding, won a bronze medal at the Southern Regional Championships in Lexington, Va. during the trails event.

The trail competition featured 109 riders up to age 19 from various 4-H clubs. Thirteen different states were represented in the event held July 30-Aug. 6.

The trail event is the toughest because there are more steps in it.

Slidell resident Noah Roheim, 9, stands next to his horse Chips Pokemon wearing his bronze medal he won at the Southern Regional Championships held July 30-Aug. 6 in Lexington, Va. for taking third place in the trails event.

The trail is an obstacle course where the horse must go over a fence, open and close a gate, go over a bridge, made a 90-degree turn, back up and make an “L,” turn 360 degrees in a box and then walk, trot and lope over various logs. The horse cannot touch anything on the course or a point is deducted. In the regionals, there were three perfect scores and Roheim was one of them. In that case, the judges decide the outcome.

If there are no perfect scores, the winner is determined by the least number of misses.

Roheim is a student at Little Oak Middle School. His horse’s name is Chips Pokemon.

A rider can compete until the age of 18, but if the participant turns 19 during the season, he or she can still take part in events.

Roheim, who was in regionals for the first time and was the youngest person there, said there was a lot of excitement following the feat.

“It was awesome,” Roheim said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was screaming. Christy (Lewis, Roheim’s trainer) and my mom (Cheneé Roheim) were in tears and jumping up-and-down.”

Roheim, who has been riding horses since he was four, also admitted he was anxious going into the event.

“I was really nervous,” Roheim said. “I was wondering what my competition would be like.”

Roheim’s trainer Christi Lewis, who owns and operates Laurel Hill Ranch in Pearl River, said Roheim works hard at his sport and wants to achieve success in it.

“Not only does he have the natural ability, but he has the drive and pushes himself very hard,” Lewis said.

Lewis added that she is not big on bringing riders that young to regionals, but had a lot of confidence in Roheim having a good meet.

“I really don’t take children to regionals until they are 14, but he was determined,” Lewis said. “I thought he would do well.”

Roheim qualified for the regionals by placing in the top three in different events at the state meet held in Monroe. Roheim made it in 14 events, while winning the trail, western riding and the halter.

In western riding, the horse has to go through a series of 13-lead changes. When the horse is loping, one foot comes out further than the other.

The halter event is where the horse is judged on confirmation and body build.

The season runs from February to November, but the regional event is the biggest event for the riders.

From now till the end of the season, Roheim will be participating in local competition and will head to Baton Rouge for some events.

Noah is the son of Dr. John and Mrs. Cheneé Roheim of Slidell.