UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Members of Pennsylvania 4-H recently participated — and placed — in various contests at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, the world’s largest single-breed horse show.
Held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, the show attracts more than 500,000 people. The event is hosted by the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, a state affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association.
During the show, 4-H, FFA and collegiate entrants can compete in several knowledge contests, including presentations, hippology, horse bowl and horse judging.
The Chester County Hippology Team finished in 14th place. The team includes Naomi Mendenhall, Jael Mendenhall and Audrey Ibach.
Berks L to R: Megan Salamone, Angelina Shumaker, Natalee Fryer, and Kamryn Witman (Photo provided)
The Berks County Hippology team placed second in the judging phase. The team includes Megan Salamone, Angelina Shumaker, Natalee Fryer and Kamryn Witman. Shumaker placed 10th in the hippology individual judging contest.
The Pennsylvania 4-H Team 2, consisting of Madison Anderson, of Erie County, Annabelle Ewing, of Huntingdon County, Ashlynn Kimmy, of Erie County, and Drew McGraw, of Lawrence County, earned seventh place in team overall performance for the horse judging contest’s judging category. McGraw earned 13th place in the individual overall performance category for judging.
In the presentation contest, Adrian Davis, of Franklin County, won with a perfect score for her presentation, “An Inside Look at Colic.” Her presentation explored colic in horses — abdominal pain caused by gastrointestinal distress — and discussed methods for identification and treatment.
“All of the contests offered for youths at the event promote the development of equine science knowledge,” said Kirsten Dubbs, Penn State Extension 4-H animal science specialist. “What we want young people to get out of 4-H is for them to take the skills they learn through these opportunities and be able to apply them to their special interests and beyond.”
The Pennsylvania Livestock Association provides financial support to 4-H teams traveling for these types of contests. The Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program development committee also helps sponsor teams traveling and registering for horse-related contests.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the United States Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-H.
—Penn State Extension