The Delaware 4-H program held their statewide 4-H Hippology contest on Saturday, December 1 at Sultana Stables, in Greenwood, Delaware.  Hippology meaning “study of the horse” is an activity that enhances learning for 4-H members by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a competitive setting.  55 youth ages 5-19 from across the state participated in the hands-on competition.  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, sponsored the event.

4-H members competed in both individual and team categories.  The individual portion of the contest had competitors complete five different station based activities focused on equine anatomy, feed identification, general horse equipment, horse coat color and marking identification and horse breed identification.  In the team portion of the contest youth competed on teams of up to four individuals to complete more difficult and comprehensive team problem solving activities.  The two team problem solving activities involved bits and bridles; requiring youth to identify different bits, identify parts of bits and sort bits into categories in addition to assembling a bridle. The second problem involved judging a class of Arabian mares, answering some questions about the horses and presenting a set of oral reasons as a team.

4-H volunteer adult leaders coached young people in the month leading up to the competition to prepare them using specified resource materials.  Special thanks to The Gray Family of Sultana Stables for providing the location for the event and to members of the State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and members of the Delaware Equine Council for helping with monitoring stations for the event.

The results of each age division were:

• Beginner (8-10 year olds)

1^st place- Miranda Garey- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

2^nd place- Abby Mast- Pony Pals 4-H Club, Kent County

3^rd place- Chloe Wilkerson- Cypress Heart and Hands, Sussex County

Honorable Mention- Rylei Webb- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

• Intermediate (11-13 year olds)

1^st place- Aidan Garey-Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

2^nd place- Sydney Messick- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

3^rd place- Ava Reilly- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County

Honorable Mention-Danielle Eisemann- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County

• Senior (14-19 year olds)

1^st place- Carly Mekulski- Tails ‘n Trails 4-H Club, New Castle County

2^nd place- Sierra Kane- Hearts 4 Horses 4-H Club, Kent County

3^rd place- Zoe Probert- Sunset Branch 4-H Club, Sussex County

Honorable Mention- Caroline Allen- Westville 4-H Club, Kent County

The top three teams in each age division were:

• Beginner (8-10 year olds)

1^st place- Pony Pals/Sunset Branch 4-H Club

Members: Vayda Behringer, Abby Mast, Addison Ricker, Grace Ricker

2^nd place- Peach Blossom 4-H Club

Members: Miranda Garey, Savannah Messick, Blayne Tucker, Rylei Webb

3^rd place- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club

Members: Juliette Anger, Kaitlyn Grant, Brooke Taylor

• Intermediate (11-13 year olds)

1^st place- Country Clovers/Cozy Critters 4-H Club

Members: Eddie Noon, Sophia Noon, Ava Reilly, Katelyn Wingate

2^nd place- Peach Blossom 4-H Club

Members: Aidan Garey, Sydney Messick, Carley Rebuck, Ethan Stafford

3^rd place- Country Clovers/Cozy Critters 4-H Club

Members: Danielle Eisemann, Collin King, Chloe Megee, Cate Reilly

• Senior (14-19 year olds)

1^st place- Hearts 4-Horses 4-H Club

Members: Wyatt Long. Sierra Kane, Madison Poore, Alexis Skodzinski

2^nd place- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club

Members: Marie Brooks, Alexia Carroll, Sabrina Gerving, Paige Taylor

3^rd place- Westville 4-H Club

Members: Caroline Allen, Olivia Gaines, Vanessa Gaines