BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON -- During the week, equestrienne Kim Smith practices at the stables. On the weekends, she competes for trophies and medals throughout the region.
She's had the same grueling, March-through-November routine since she began competing 11 years ago.
But she and other members of the Heels Down 4-H Club agree that the horse competitions the club holds in honor of Kristen Shrout, who was murdered four years ago, are unique.
"This one's just a lot more fun," said Kim, 17, grooming her horse, Patty, on Saturday for the 1998 Kristen Shrout Memorial Show at Brookhaven Stables. "This is just something that she loved to do."
Kristen was a Heels Down member until her death in May 1994. She had won a national showmanship competition the week before her 17-year-old brother, Clay, fatally shot her. She was 14.
He also shot his parents and a 12-year-old sister, Lauren, in their home in Union. Lauren also was a Heels Down member, but was better known for her gymnastics skills.
The Heels Down club has held three horse competitions in Kristen's name. At Saturday's event, about 120 equestrians competed for ribbons in 23 events. Only the showmanship competition offered a trophy.
The event stresses a horse's grooming and behavior in the reins of its owner. It was Kristen's favorite. Molly Ferguson, 15, of Union, took first.
Ms. Ferguson never knew Kristen. But she enjoys knowing that money raised from Saturday's event will go toward a scholarship fund in Kristen's name.
"I think it's a great cause," she said.
Kelly Johnting, 20, of Independence, knew Kristen only as a fellow competitor.
But competing in her name "just makes me think about all those shows," she said Saturday, while she prepared for competition. "She was pretty tough. She tried. She went out there and gave it her best."
Kathy Rountree, Heels Down leader and organizer of Saturday's event, wants the memorial competition to become an annual one. The competitors "do this in a different light," she said. "They're not as competitive. They're very friendly and (the competition) is on a much deeper level."
Money from future memorial shows will go to the club.
Kristen's maternal grandparents -- W. Wayne and Carolyn Johnson of Georgetown -- sponsored Saturday's open showmanship competition. They did not attend.
>
