When people think about 4-H and horses, they usually think of fairs and riding or showing events. It may surprise you to know that to participate in the Monroe County 4-H Horse Program you don’t need to own a horse or even know how to ride one.
While riding may be one activity, the Monroe County 4-H Horse Program is also focused on educational events. 4-H members learn anatomy, breeds, equine science, and care. With this knowledge, 4-H members participate in events designed to challenge their knowledge, communication, and teamwork skills.
This spring, Monroe County 4-H Horse Program members participated in a regional horse event that included youth from nine Finger Lakes area counties. The event was comprised of both Horse Bowl and Hippology. Thirteen youth participated in the Regional Horse Extravaganza event. Volunteers, led by Niki Whilden, helped to prepare and coach the youth for the event.
Horse Bowl is a team endeavor run like a quiz show where contestants buzz in with the answers to horse-related questions. Ella Torrence and Kennedy Guhman participated in the Novice Horse Bowl section. Posh Ponies 4-H Club members Addie Whilden, Molly Krotz, Maddie Basset, and Abigail Dayton took part in the Junior Horse Bowl Team portion for youth under 14 years of age.
Also in the Junior Section were Hilton Horsemen, Alexis Schwab, Ava Ciravola, Bryanna Wellington, and Ariana Dimitriadis. Krotz, Schwab, Ciravola, Whilden, and Dimitriadis qualified to be part of the next level of participation, the state event. Rose Lanzatella and Marissa Wellington were on a team at the Senior Level. Lanzatella has received an invitation for state play. The New York State Horse Bowl event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at Cornell University.
Hippology is an equine knowledge challenge that evaluates the overall knowledge of participants in equine science, vet science, equipment, and farm management. Components of the competition include a judging phase, a 100-question written exam, and team problems. Participating at the regional level were youth from the Hilton Horsemen and Posh Ponies Clubs.
Kennedy Guhman and Ella Torrence took part in the first-year level, Novice. Youth that were part of the event at the Junior Level included Ally Thummler, Isabella Mantella, Maddie Basset, Ariana Dimitriadis, Bryana Wellington, Alexis Schwab, Molly Krotz, Addie Whilden, Angelica Montagliano, and Ava Ciravola. Members that qualify to advance to the state level as team members or alternates include Ciravola, Krotz, Schwab, Wellington, Dimitriadis, Thummler, Mantella, and Basset. Senior Hippology saw a team of Rose Lanzatella, Ella Bohn, and Marissa Wellington. Bohn and Lanzatella look forward to being part of the state contest in 2020. The New York State Hippology event will be held during The Great New York State Fair in August 2020.
Learn more about 4-H & the 4-H Horse Program at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.
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