CHESTER, Vt. — It was a whirlwind four days for the 92 4-H equestrians, including 11 4-H alumni, who competed in more than 100 English and Western equitation classes at the annual Vermont 4-H State Horse Show, July 12-15. Locally, participants included youths from Chester, Vermont.
The 4-H’ers, ages 8 to 18, also participated in the 4-H Division, which consisted of fitting and showmanship, quiz bowl, judging, a general knowledge written exam and 4-H project class, with the combined scores from these events determining the championships. University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H sponsored the horse show, which was held at the Addison County Fair and Field Days site in New Haven.
The 4-H Division winners were:
Beginner: Champion – Madeline Langlois, Westford; Reserve Champion – Kelsey Paradee, Swanton.
Advanced Beginner: Champion – Emeillia Gomo, Chester; Reserve Champion – Jasmine Mooney, St. Johnsbury.
Junior (13 and under): Champion – Anna-Lise Cooledge, Westford; Reserve Champion – Chloe Barewicz, Jericho.
Senior (14-18): Champion – Betsy Coburn, Castleton; Reserve Champion – Kassidy Wyman, Cambridgeport. As senior champion, Betsy also won the Paul Quinn Memorial Award, given in memory of a long-time supporter of the Vermont 4-H Horse Show.
The Champion 4-H Showmanship award went to Kassidy Wyman, Cambridgeport, for placing first in the fitting and showmanship competition. Reserve Champion was Kelsey Paradee, Swanton.
The following 4-H’ers won championships in the various divisions:
English Division (based on combined scores in equitation, trail, pleasure and either road hack or hunter under saddle classes):
Beginner: Champion – Kelsey Paradee, Swanton; Reserve Champion – Madeline Tylenda, Essex.
Advanced Beginner: Champion – Greta Friesen, Hinesburg; Reserve Champion – Megan Carson, Windham.
Junior: Champion – Anna-Lisa Cooledge, Westford; Reserve Champion – Tayah Fuller, Poultney.
Senior (14-18): Champion – Alexis Marnellos, Lincoln; Reserve Champion – Callon Fish, Rutland.
Western Division (based on combined scores from equitation, trail, performance and pleasure classes) were:
Beginner: Champion – Elizabeth Brown, Vernon; Reserve Champion – Viola Brown, Vernon.
Advanced Beginner: Champion – Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts; Reserve Champion – MaKayla LaFlam, Guilford.
Senior (14-18): Champion – Catherine Thrasher, Rupert; Reserve Champion – Emma Cushman, Barre.
Gymkhana (speed pattern racing and timed games on horseback):
Beginner: Champion – Summer Le, Colchester; Reserve Champion – Adaline Ploof, Westford.
Junior (13 and under): Champion – Emily Lang, Hinesburg; Reserve Champion – Jenna Dolloph, Chester.
Senior (14-18): Champion – Garrette Shanks, Vernon; Reserve Champion – Kassidy Wyman, Cambridgeport.
Driving Division: Chloe Barewicz, Jericho.
In addition to championships, several special awards were presented at the event:
Dressage High Point Award: Catera Doner, New Haven.
Designated Hit Trophy (overall high points in the 4-H Division): Anna-Lise Cooledge, Westford.
Jim Wallace Memorial Pleasure Class Award (top finisher in this class): Phoebe Mason, Hinesburg.
Outstanding 4-H Member Award (for overall achievement in the UVM Extension 4-H horse program): Hailee Blades, Jeffersonville. To be eligible for this award, 4-H’ers must participate in three New England 4-H Horse Shows at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and three Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundups in Louisville, Kentucky.
Melissa Issler Alumni Equitation Class for 4-H alumni: Holly Weglarz, Hartland.
Marci Mac plaque (winner of the versatility class): Faith Ploof, Westford.
The 4-H Club Award is presented to the club with the highest combined scores in general knowledge, judging, quiz bowl, fitting and showmanship and 4-H project classes. Seventeen clubs were represented at this year’s show. The winner was the Whispering Pines 4-H Club of Westford.
To learn more about the Vermont 4-H Horse Program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 651-8343, Ext. 513.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.