By Marla Lowder
In April, 12 Fairbanks area youth traveled to Palmer to participate in the 2024 State 4-H Horse Contest. The contest consists of horse judging, horse bowl (a quiz contest), demonstrations, public speaking and hippology (the study of horses).
The Midnight Sun Riders 4-H team features Anya, Chelsea, Emma, Winter and Dean.
The contest started at Silver Legacy Stables, where the youth judged two horse quality/conformation classes and two performance classes.
Then, the youth completed a written exam and went through 10 identification stations as part of the hippology contest. They also worked together on two team problems.
The following day included the demonstration, public speaking and horse bowl segments. The kids did a wonderful job with their presentations on equine topics.
Then, it was time for the horse bowl competition. This is a knowledge contest with buzzer sets and teams. Each game consists of 36 questions, some one-on-one and a tossup question for anyone to answer. Eight teams competed in the double-elimination bracket. A Fairbanks team won and advanced to the Western Roundup competition.
Overall, the horse contest helps youth learn and improve life skills such as public speaking, decision making, teamwork and critical thinking.
It is wonderful to watch these youth grow through the program and increase their confidence. Over the years, I have seen the impact it has on them. I am happy to be a part of it. I am so proud of our youth in the Tanana District and their professionalism. They spend hours studying and preparing for this contest. In the long run, the knowledge and skills they gain are priceless.
If you want to know more about this contest, please contact Marla Lowder, Tanana District 4-H agent and 4-H State Horse development chair, at 907-474-2427 or mklowder@alsaka.edu.
The Steeldust Team features members of the Free Ranges 4-H Club, including Elinor, Noelle, Julie and Isabelle.
Here are the results from Tanana District participants.
Horse Judging
Teams: Steeldust (Julie Weisensel, Isabelle Miller, Haley Agostine and Noelle Walters); Rockin’ Ranchers (Emma Austin, Leah Austin, Rebecca Reinheller and Trista Reinheller)
Individuals
Intermediates: Rebecca Reinheller, Anja Wandling
Seniors: Julie Weisensel, Isabelle Miller, Haley Agostine
Horse Judging Quality Champion: Chelsea Curwen
Demonstrations
Illustrated Talk
Junior: Leah Austin, “How to Judge Hunt Seat Equitation;” Trista Reinheller, “Cushings”
Senior: Emma Austin, “What Do You Know About AQHA?”
Horse Bowl
Teams
Midnight Sun Riders (Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling and Dean Watson)
High Points (Julie Weisensel, Chelsea Curwen and Anja Wandling)
Hippology
Teams overall
Midnight Sun Riders — Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling and Dean Watson.
Steeldust — Julie Weisensel, Isabelle Miller, Haley Agostine and Noelle Walters.
Individuals overall
Intermediates: Anja Wandling
Seniors: Chelsea Curwen
High Point Individual overall: Chelsea Curwen
Stations Individuals
Intermediates: Anja Wandling
Senior: Chelsea Curwen
Station Teams: Midnight Sun Riders (Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling and Dean Watson); Steeldust (Julie Weisensel, Isabelle Miller, Haley Agostine, and Noelle Walters)
Exam
Intermediate: Rebecca Reinheller
Seniors: Chelsea Curwen, Julie Weisensel
Exam Teams
Steeldust: Julie Weisensel, Isabelle Miller, Haley Agostine, and Noelle Walters.
Horse Judging Individuals
Senior: Julie Weisensel
Horse Judging Teams
Midnight Sun Riders (Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling and Dean Watson)
Team Problems
Rockin’ Ranchers (Lean Austin, Emma Austin, Rebecca Reinheller and Trista Reinheller)
Marla Lowder is the 4-H & Youth Development Agent for the Tanana District. For more information on 4-H, contact Lowder at 907-474-2427, 907-474-2450 or mklowder@alaska.edu or visit www.uaf.edu/ces/4-h. 4-H is a part of the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
