Nine 4-H youth from Meeker County participated in the Minnesota 4-H State Horse show Sept. 16-19. This year, 607 youth from across the state participated in the annual event at the Minnesota State Fair. 4-H’ers demonstrate their skills and knowledge in hippology (showing knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry), horse judging (study of an animal, measuring it against an accepted ideal), horse training and achievement, speech and demonstrations about interest in horses or the horse industry, showmanship, and drill team skills.
Youth who participate in the Minnesota 4-H Horse Project learn about show, trail, and endurance riding; test their horse knowledge at quiz bowls or on judging teams; and study horse science. Youth may participate if they own or lease a horse. There are even options for youth who are interested in horses, but don’t have access to one in their community.
“Through the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show, youth build communications skills, gain deeper learning and interest in horses, and build relationships with caring adults,” said Renee Kostick, Extension Educator who manages the 4-H horse project in Minnesota. “These experiences contribute to their success in school, community, and futures.”
The following youth were members of the Meeker County delegation:
Club Key:
CC – Cosmos Comets
DH – Danielson Hustlers
DL – Dassel Lamplighters
FCL – Forest City Livewires
KEB – Koronis Eager Beavers
KK – Kimball Kruisers
LS – Litchfield Satellites
VV – Valley Victors
Placing Key:
PA – Participation
(Youth participant, Club, Event, Placing)
• Zoe Eblen, KEB, Horse Demonstration, Individual, Grades 6-13, 1
• Zoe Eblen, KEB, Ranch -Pleasure, Grade 10+, PA
• Zoe Eblen, KEB, Games – Poles, Grade 11, PA
• Zoe Eblen, KEB, Games – Key Race, Grade 11, PA
• Paige Frenchick, KEB, Showmanship – English, 5
• Paige Frenchick, KEB, Western Pleasure – Pleasure Type, Grade 10+, 3
• Paige Frenchick, KEB, Hunt Seat Pleasure – Pleasure Type, Grade 10+, 4
• Paige Frenchick, KEB, Hunt Seat Equitation, Grade 10, PA
• Payden Hopp, DH, Showmanship – Western, Grade 7, PA
• Payden Hopp, DH, Western Pleasure, Grade 7, PA
• Shelby Hopp, FCL, Ranch Pleasure, Grade 10+, PA
• Shelby Hopp, FCL, Trail, Grades 10-11, PA
• Shelby Hopp, FCL, Games – Poles, Grade 11, PA
• Shelby Hopp, FCL, Games – Barrels, Grade 11, PA
• Shelby Hopp, FCL, Games – Key Race, Grade 11, PA
• Ella Schrupp, KEB, Horseless Horse Exhibit, Grades 6-8, 2
• Aleisha Shoutz, FCL, Games – Barrels, Grade 10, 10
• Aleisha Shoutz, FCL, Games – Jumping Figure 8, Grade 10, 3
• Aleisha Shoutz, FCL, Games – Key Race, Grade 10, 4
• Aleisha Shoutz, FCL, Games – Poles, Grade 10, PA
(Hippology and Judging events, Youth participants, Club, Placing)
Hippology Team – Intermediate – Third
• Individual Overall, Frances Geurts, KK, PA
• Individual Overall, Payden Hopp, DH, PA
• Individual Overall, Raya Scott, KK, 6
• Individual Overall, Kaitlyn Wesley, FCL, PA
Hippology Independent – Senior
• Individual Overall, Shelby Hopp, FCL, PA
Horse Judging Team – Intermediate – Fifth
• Individual Overall, Frances Geurts, KK, PA
• Individual Overall, Payden Hopp, DH, PA
• Individual Overall, Raya Scott, KK, PA
• Individual Overall, Kaitlyn Wesley, FCL, PA
To learn more about Minnesota 4-H Horse Project, contact local extension educator Cassidy Martin, at (320) 693-5275 and visit the website z.umn.edu/4HHorseProject.
About Extension 4-H: 4-H is a youth development program of the University of Minnesota Extension. Available for youth grades K-1 year after high school, 4-H’ers participate in hands-on learning experiences in STEM, citizenship & leadership, animal science, creative arts and much more. Through this learn-by-doing process, youth obtain essential life skills such as problem solving, decision making, coping and communicating that help them succeed in their school, college, community and career. Research shows that youth who participate in 4-H have better grades and are more emotionally engaged with school, are more than twice as likely to be civically active and contribute to their communities, and are 47% less likely to have risky or problem behaviors.