WATERFORD – 4-Hers from Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille and Orleans counties gathered in Waterford, February 12, to match wits on everything equine.
Thirty-seven 4-H club members, ranging from Cloverbuds (ages 5-7) to 4-H teens, took part in the 2023 Northeast Region 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl and Hippology Contest at Waterford Elementary School. Up to six rosettes were awarded in each age group for both hippology and quiz bowl. Participants, ages 8-18, who did not place in the top-six earned a blue or red Danish ribbon based on their score with the Cloverbuds receiving rainbow rosette participation ribbons.
The afternoon event got underway with the hippology contest, which included a written test, tack identification, measuring a girth and hippology boards. The latter are skill-a-thon stations on different horse-related topics that involved matching a picture to an answer in a provided word bank on the board.
Placements of local participants were: Juniors (12-13) Makenna Amadon, Cabot (second); Juniors (8-9) LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (first); Bailey Tallman, Wolcott (fifth)
All participants also competed in the horse quiz bowl, earning points for being the first to buzz in with the correct answer to questions relating to horse breeds, colors, anatomy, nutrition and other equine topics.
Local winners were: Juniors (12-13): Makenna Amadon, Cabot (fourth); Juniors (8-9): Bailey Tallman, Wolcott (third); LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (fifth)
The event was sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and coordinated by UVM Extension 4-H educators Lindy Birch and Holly Ferris. Several adult volunteers and parents assisted with the competitions.
Serving as room moderators to read quiz bowl questions and keep score were Kristi Acheson, Troy; Jillian Dargie, Danville; Emily Harvey Lacroix, Barre; Barb Kristoff, St. Johnsbury; Michelle Morin, Wolcott; and Jennifer Wood, South Kirby.
Assisting with registration and test scoring were Miranda Achilles, North Woodstock, N.H.; Sam Franco, Wheelock; Michelle Lemieux, Cabot; Erica Tattersall, West Burke; and Amanda Turgeon, St. Johnsbury.
To learn more about 4-H in Caledonia and Lamoille Counties, contact Holly Ferris at (802) 751-8307. For Essex and Orleans Counties, contact Lindy Birch at (802) 334-7235.
