Jennie L. Ivey, Ph.D., PAS; Assistant Professor and Extension Equine Specialist

During the last weekend of February, youth from the three regions of Tennessee gathered in Knoxville to compete at the State 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology Contest. County teams qualified at their regional contests, with the top four teams from the Junior (4-5th grades), Junior High (6-8th grades), and Senior (9-12th grades) traveling to the state-level contest. Counties represented included Bedford, Blount, Dyer, Gibson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Lincoln, Loudon, Madison, Marion, Maury, Montgomery, Putnam, Rutherford, Shelby, Sullivan, Sumner, Weakley and Williamson.

A total of 135 youth competed in Horse Bowl; a quiz-bowl style contest where contestants are tested on their equine knowledge and must “buzz-in” before answering the questions in a head-to- head round with another team. Congratulations to all the teams that competed in the contest!

Results of the contest are as follows:

• The Junior Division was won by the Blount County B team consisting of Brylee Morgan, Morgan Lakey and Sadie Roach. Second place was secured by the Sumner County A team made up of Cynthia Burns, Dustin Burns, Henasi Miller and Aniston Townsend. Junior division third place was awarded to Marion County A, with team members of Brady Higdon, Jacie Davenport, Kacey Colvin and Abby Dodson. Fourth place was earned by Madison County A team members Josie Mansfield, Gabby Thompson, Hudson O’Neill and Samuel McCarver.
• The Junior High Division was won by the Rutherford County team of Emma Jo Shamburger, Liza McQueen and Jayden Hayes. Second place was earned by the Lawrence County B team members Mikayla Dixon, Kadin Inman, Anna Turner and Charlotte Vogel. The Jefferson County A team of Emma Turner, Rosey Brand, Maggie Davis and Dakota Peters secured third place in the division. Fourth place was awarded to the Sumner County A team of Jordan Birdwell, Abigail Barnett, Mattie Lowrey and Ella Graves.
• The Senior Division was won by the Madison County A team of Zach McCarver, Taylor Perry, Hannah Brasher and Katherine Ann Thierfelder, who went undefeated in the contest. The Madison County team will represent Tennessee at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Contest in Louisville, Kentucky, and at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in Perry, Gaeorgia. Second place in the division was awarded to Loudon County team members including Sarah Harper, Abbey Ivey, Camille Phillips and Mary Marlino. The Loudon County team will also rep- resent Tennessee at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships. Third place was earned by Williamson County A youth consisting of Cey Johnson, Hallie McKinnie, Amy Chandler and Anna Cesnik. The Senior Division was rounded out with fourth place awarded to Sullivan County A team members Morgan Short, Allison Murray and Emaline Cornett.
• A total of 134 youth competed in Hippology; an all-around contest, consisting of horse judging, written exam, slide identification, stations and team problem phases testing the nutrition, management, industry and health knowledge of the participants. The knowledge of all youth competing in the contest was impressive, and all are deserving of recognition for their efforts!

Appreciation for all the county extension agents, volunteers, parents, and coaches that work with the 4-H Horse Project youth is warranted, as the program would not exist without the efforts of these individuals. Special recognition to Neal Smith, UT Extension Western Region 4-H Area Specialist, and Tonya Bain, UT Extension Crockett County, for their efforts to make the contest a success.

For more information on how to become involved with the 4-H program, contact your local county extension agent.

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