Delaware 4-H’ers Compete at State 4-H Horse Bowl Competition
The Delaware 4-H program recently held their annual State 4-H Horse Bowl. 12 teams comprised of youth ages 8-19 participated in the equine knowledge-based quiz bowl competition held at Lake Forest North Elementary in Felton, Delaware. The Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee, a group composed of 4-H volunteers from all three Delaware counties that are dedicated to providing quality 4-H horse programs to members, sponsors the annual event.
4-H members competed on teams of up to four individuals, and teams are divided into competition brackets based on age for the double-elimination event. 4-H volunteer adult leaders coached young people in the months leading up to the competition to prepare them using specified resource materials. 25 Delaware 4-H volunteers assisted with the Horse Bowl event. University of Delaware Animal Science Extension Agent Susan Garey said, “We are so pleased to be able to return to an in-person event after several years of virtual competition due to COVID. We hope that next year will build on this year’s successful return to normal competition.”
Official judges for the competition included Ms. Lauren Voss, Mrs. Kacie Messick, and Dr. Sharon Little, DVM.
The top three teams in each age division were:
Beginner (8-10-year-olds)
1st Place– Pony Pals, Steamrollers and On Target 4-H Clubs, Kent County
Team Members: Alexa Cruz, Sophia Mast
Coach: Jerusha Mast
2nd Place– East Coast Sunset Ponies- East Coast and Sunset 4-H Clubs, Sussex County
Team Members: Kayla Harmon, Jane Mavity, McKenna Neumann
Coach: Jodie Gravenor
3rd Place- Awesome Appaloosas- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club, Sussex County
Team Members: Camille Book, Bailey LeCates, Rilynn LeCates, Sarah Melvin
Coach: Heather Taylor
Junior (11-13-year-olds)
1st Place- Pony Patrol- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club, Sussex County
Team Members: Juliette Anger, Lillie Bradley, Taylor Melvin, Brooke Taylor
Coach: Heather Taylor
2nd Place– Westville 4-H Club, Kent County
Team Members: Gianna Keen, Julia Kelly
Coach: Jamie Hilvers
3rd Place– East Coast Fluffy Fetlocks, East Coast and Sunset Branch 4-H Clubs, Sussex County
Team Members: Arianna Dorman, Alex Mavity, Liam Probert, Hattie Thompson
Coach: Dana Probert
Senior (14-19-year-olds)
1st Place– Equinators, Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club, Sussex County
Team Members: Devon Allen, Paige Taylor, Grace Workman
Coach: Heather Taylor
2nd Place– Happy View Country Clovers, Happy View Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County
Team Members: Emily Davis, Abby Mast, Eddie Noon
Coach: Ann Hobbs
3rd Place– Heavenly Hooves 4-H Club, New Castle County
Team Members: Evangeline Baker, Jocelyn Retkowski, Jordanne Retkowski, Daisey Timney
Coaches: Ann Blackmore, Angela Brown
4-H is a community of young people across Delaware learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. For more information on becoming a 4-H member or volunteer in Delaware, please contact your county extension office:
New Castle County: (302)831-8965
Kent County: (302)730-4000
Sussex County: (302)856-7303
Cooperative Extension Education in Agriculture and Home Economics, University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin.
