Members of the Picture Perfect Showmen 4-H club will be heading to the State 4-H Hippology Contest held at Michigan State University on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Three of the girls, Brinley Grey, Kaylee Smith, and Zoe Westgate, competed last year and are returning for their second year in this contest, in the Junior Regular division (for ages 8-13). Last year they placed fourth as a team and Brinley scored in the top five individuals with top five placings in three phases of the contest. Newcomer Rio Phillips will be in the Junior Novice division, which is for members in their first year of state competition. The girls have been meeting all year for this contest and working hard to prepare for the various aspects they will encounter. Besides regular 4-H meetings and individual study, they attended several clinics on horse judging and competed at the county hippology contest in the fair last August and a practice contest with Mecosta County recently. Hippology, or horse knowledge, is a demanding competition. Members complete four phases individually and if on a team, a team problem where they have 10 minutes to prepare on a given topic/scenario and then five minutes to present to a judge. The individual phases consist of a written test, a slide test, two classes of horses to judge (halter and performance) with questions to answer, and stations to complete along with demonstrating a skill. They are tested on a wide range of horse knowledge, from breeds, tack, colors, markings, diseases, management, horse showing rules, parasites and more. Members do not use a horse in this contest, nor do they have to own a one to take part, which makes it very accessible, and provides an avenue of competition without a lot of expense. Any 4-H member from 5-19 may take part. Top scoring members in the Senior division are eligible for national competition. This is a great contest for any horse loving youth who wants to learn about horses and test their knowledge to possibly earn ribbons and other prizes. To learn more about the State 4-H Hippology Contest and 4-H, contact Laurie Platte Breza, 4-H Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or by calling the MSU Extension office at 231-928-1056.
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