7/29/2012
Vermont 4-H'ers, all delegates to Eastern States Exposition this September, conduct the flag ceremony at the Vermont 4-H Horse Show held July 12-15 in New Haven. Meaghan Hughes, Jericho, leads the procession, carrying the American flag. To her left, Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester, holds the Vermont flag with Mariah Harding, Barre, riding behind her. On the right, Emi Schweikert, Underhill, carries the 4-H flag, followed by Allison Bachmann, Ira, and Brooke Mobbs, Colchester.
The Vermont 4-H Horse Show, held July 12-15 at the Addison County Fair and Field Days site in New Haven, attracted 111 competitors from 19 4-H clubs.
The annual event was sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and featured 80 horses--and one mule--entered in more than100 English and Western equitation classes. Blossom, the first mule to compete at the horse show in its 36-year history, was ridden by Ferrisburgh 4-H'er Alex Coyle, who won the Advanced Beginner Championship. In addition, the event featured a special division for kids without horses.
Winners in the Horseless Division, based on combined individual scores in quiz bowl, judging and general knowledge contests:
- 8 to 10 year olds: Champion--Emma Cushman, Barre; Reserve Champion--Carly Jenkins, Jericho.
- 11 to 13 year olds: Champion--TJ Beaumier, Fairfax; Reserve Champion--Sophia DeDell, Woodstock.
- 14 to 18 year olds: Champion--Jen Carp, Colchester; Reserve Champion--Brittany Alvarez, Rutland.
Individuals earning top honors in gymkhana (speed pattern racing and timed games on horseback) were:
- BEGINNER: Champion--Kassidy Wyman, Cambridgeport; Reserve Champion--Arin Kenyon, Chester.
- JUNIOR (ages 13 and under): Champion--Harley Stocker, West Rutland; Reserve Champion--Holly Reglarz
- SENIOR (ages 14-18): Champion--Karli Knapp, Townshend; Reserve Champion--Kayla Royce, Townshend
- The 4-H Division winners, based on points earned from fitting and showmanship, judging, quiz bowl, general knowledge test and 4-H project class were:
- BEGINNER: Champion--Faith Ploof, Essex; Reserve Champion--Kassidy Wyman, Cambridgeport.
- ADVANCED BEGINNER: Champion--Kate McGranahan, Whitehall, N.Y.; Reserve Champion--Olivia Peer, West Rutland.
- JUNIOR (ages 13 and under): Champion--Emma Pearson, North Hero; Reserve Champion--Connor Jenny, Essex
- SENIOR (ages 14-18): Champion--Allison Bachmann, Ira; Reserve Champion--Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester.
- Katelyn Patenaude, Derby Line, was named the 4-H Fitting and Showmanship Champion. Allison Bachmann, Ira, was the Reserve 4-H Fitting and Showmanship Champion.
Top winners in the English riding classes (based on combined scores in equitation, trail, pleasure and either road hack or hunter under saddle classes) were:
- BEGINNER: Champion--Kassidy Wyman, Cambridgeport; Reserve Champion--Arin Kenyon, Chester.
- ADVANCED BEGINNER: Champion--Olivia Peer, West Rutland; Reserve Champion--Hallie Donegan, Shelburne.
- HUNT SEAT (ages 13 and under): Champion--Betsy Coburn, Castleton; Reserve Champion--Julia Neeld, Williston.
- HUNT SEAT (ages 14 and 15): Champion--Allison Bachmann, Ira; Reserve Champion-Katelyn Patenaude, Derby Line.
- HUNT SEAT (ages 16-18): Champion-- Emilie Schweikert, Underhill; Reserve Champion--Kiley Baillargeon, Colchester
The following 4-H'ers took top awards in the Western division, based on combined scores from equitation, trail, performance and pleasure classes.
- BEGINNER: Champion--Alyssa Noyes, Athens; Reserve Champion--Elayna Jennings, New Haven.
- ADVANCED: Champion--Alex Coyle, Ferrisburgh; Reserve Champion--Anna Willenbaker, Ferrisburgh.
- JUNIOR (13 and under): Champion--David Gringeri, West Haven; Reserve Champion--Catherine Thrasher, Rupert
- SENIOR (ages 14 and 15): Champion--Kennedy Mitowski, Rutland; Reserve Champion--Gia Gould, South Burlington.
- SENIOR (ages 16-18): Champion--Chantel Charlebois, Jericho; Reserve Champion--Jessica Bachmann, Ira.
- The dressage high point award was won by Madison Wood of Concord.
Other awards presented at the show included:
- Outstanding 4-H Member awards, presented for overall achievement in the UVM Extension 4-H horse program, were awarded to Jessica Bachmann, Ira; Amy Blazej, Windham; and Julia Dockum, Fair Haven.
- The 4-H Club Award for the top clubs whose members perform the best at the show in general knowledge, judging, quiz bowl, horseless general knowledge test, fitting and showmanship and 4-H project classes went to the Starry Nights 4-H Club, Jericho (first), Horsepower 4-H Club, Castleton (second) and Flying Hooves 4-H Club, Colchester (third).
- Allison Bachmann, Ira, earned the Designated Hit Award, given by the Ackerman family of Jericho to the 4-H'er with the highest point total at the show. The award is presented in honor of their daughter Caitlin's horse, Designated Hit, who died recently. As Senior 4-H Division Champion, Allison also received the Paul Quinn Memorial Award, given annually in honor of Quinn, a strong supporter of the Vermont 4-H Horse Show since the beginning.
- Katelyn Patenaude, Derby Line, received the Jim Wallace Memorial Pleasure Class Award, given in memoriam of Wallace, a dedicated 4-H show volunteer. She also was the recipient of the Marci Mac plaque, which is presented to the winner of the versatility class by Mary Fay, a long-time 4-H horse leader and volunteer, in memory of her horse, Marci Mac, who was shown by several 4-H members over the years as their project horse.
- The Melissa Issler Alumni Class Award, given annually in memory of 4-H horse club member Missy Issler, was won by Katie Dooley of Hinesburg. All 4-H alumni who competed in the horse show as 4-H'ers are eligible for this award.
To learn more about the UVM Extension 4-H Horse Program and other 4-H horse events, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-0648 or (800) 571-0668 (toll-free).
