By Marla Lowder
Youth from across the state took part in the State 4-H Horse Contest from May 1-3. Ten participants from the Fairbanks area competed in various events, including horse judging, the horse bowl, demonstrations, public speaking and hippology.
On Thursday evening, we started with some pizza and immediately began the Public Presentation Contest. The youth delivered speeches, demonstrations and illustrated talks.
On Friday morning, we began with the hippology contest, which included a written exam, 10 identification stations and teamwork on two group problems.
That afternoon, we set up the buzzer sets and held the horse bowl competition. This event was a knowledge contest featuring buzzer sets and teams. Each game consisted of 36 questions, including some one-on-one rounds and toss-up questions that anyone could answer. Five teams competed in a double-elimination bracket format.
On Saturday, we held the horse judging event at Seekins Quarter Horse Farms. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not cooperate, and it rained for most of the day. The youth participants showed great perseverance and stuck it out, taking a few warm-up breaks for some hot chocolate. During the contest, they judged two quality/conformation classes and two performance classes, and they provided reasons for their decisions on two of the classes.
This contest helps youth develop essential life skills like public speaking, decision making, teamwork and critical thinking.
It’s wonderful to see the youth grow through the program and gain confidence. I’ve witnessed their progress over the years, and I know it truly makes an impact on them. I’m proud to be a part of it. I have so much pride in our youth here in the Tanana District and across the state. They dedicate countless hours to studying and preparing for this contest. Ultimately, the knowledge and skills they acquire from this experience are invaluable.
If you want to learn 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.
Here are the results from the participants in the Tanana District:
Horse Judging
Teams
Frosty Tails (Tanana) — Julie Weisensel, Anja Wandling and Winter Moon.
Rockin’ Ranchers — Emma Austin, Leah Austin, Rebecca Reinheller, and Trista Reinheller.
Individuals
Juniors: Madison Austin and Sarah Reinheller
Intermediates: Anja Wandling, Leah Austin, and Trista Reinheller
Seniors: Julie Weisensel and Rebecca Reinheller
Horse Judging Performance Champion: Trista Reinheller
Demonstrations/Illustrated Talk
Junior: Madison Austin — Horse Teeth
Intermediate: Leah Austin — Mare Reproduction, Anja Wandling — How to Become an Equine Veterinarian, and Trista Reinheller — Showmanship
Senior: Emma Austin — The Multi-Sport Athlete
Horse Bowl
Teams
Frosty Tails (Tanana) — Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling, and Julie Weisensel.
High Points
Julie Weisensel
Anja Wandling
Chelsea Curwen
Winter Moon
Hippology
Teams Overall
Frosty Tails (Tanana) — Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling, and Julie Weisensel.
Individuals Overall
Intermediates: Anja Wandling
Seniors: Julie Weisensel
High Point Individual Overall
Julie Weisensel
Stations Individuals
Intermediates: Anja Wandling
Seniors: Julie Weisensel and Chelsea Curwen
Station Teams
Frosty Tails — Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling, and Julie Weisensel.
Exam
Intermediate: Anja Wandling
Seniors: Julie Weisensel and Chelsea Curwen
Exam Teams
Frosty Tails (Tanana) — Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling, and Julie Weisensel.
Horse Judging
Individuals
Intermediate: Anja Wandling
Horse Judging Teams
Frosty Tails (Tanana) — Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling, and Julie Weisensel.
Team Problems
Rockin’ Ranchers — Leah Austin, Emma Austin, Rebecca Reinheller, and Trista Reinheller.
Frosty Tails (Tanana) — Chelsea Curwen, Winter Moon, Anja Wandling, and Julie Weisensel.
Marla Lowder is the 4-H & Youth Development Agent for the Tanana District.
For more information about 4-H, contact Lowder at the UAF Cooperative Extension Tanana District 4-H office at 907-474-2427 or 907-474-2450, email mklowder@alaska.edu or visit uaf.edu/ces/4-h.
