The Delaware 4-H program held their statewide 4-H Hippology contest on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Heartland Equestrian Center, in Frederica, 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. 43 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 contest.
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 equine discipline 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 team problem solving activities focused on the hoof; requiring youth to identify parts of the hoof, identify farrier equipment and the purpose, sort the stages of shoeing into the proper steps and answer questions about 20 different styles and types of horseshoes. The beginner team problem involved grooming; identifying pieces of grooming equipment, sorting them into the proper order of use, answering questions about grooming and finally grooming a horse using grooming tools provided.
4-H volunteer adult leaders coached young people in the months leading up to the competition to prepare them using specified resource materials. Special thanks to Larry and Bonnie Keller of Heartland Equestrian Center for providing the location for the contest, Tyler Raymer of Raymer Performance Farrier for saving an outstanding collection of horseshoes for the contest and to members of the State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and parent and coaching volunteers for helping with monitoring stations.
The results of each age division were:
- Beginner (8-10 year olds)
1st place- Brooke Taylor- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club, Sussex County
2nd place- Jocelyn Retkowski- On Target 4-H Club, Kent County
3rd place- Jordanne Retkowski- On Target 4-H Club, Kent County
Honorable Mention- Juliette Anger- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club, Sussex County
- Intermediate (11-13 year olds)
1st place- Clara Gulick- Tails N Trails 4-H Club, New Castle County
2nd place- Sophie Noon- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County
3rd place- Katelyn Wingate- Cozy Critters 4-H Club, Sussex County
Honorable Mention-Cate Reilly- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County
- Senior (14-19 year olds)
1st place- Carly Mekulski- Tails ‘n Trails 4-H Club, New Castle County
2nd place- Ava Reilly- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County
3rd place- Hailey Smith- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County
Honorable Mention- Danielle Eisemann- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County
The top three teams in each age division were:
- Beginner (8-10 year olds)
1st place- Magic Horse Shoes- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club
Members: Juliette Anger, Lillie Bradley, Brooke Taylor
2nd place- On Target/Sunset Branch 4-H Clubs
Members: Liam Probert, Jocelyn Retkowski, Jordanne Retkowski
3rd place- Midnight Sky- Cozy Corner After School Program 4-H Club
Members: Lucille Eskridge, Miley Flood, Gavyn Lynch
- Intermediate (11-13 year olds)
1st place- The SEEKers-Country Clovers 4-H Club
Members: Emily Davis, Eddie Noon, Sophia Noon
2nd place- Magic Mustangs- Dublin Hill/Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Clubs
Members: Devon Allen, Kaitlyn Grant, Clara Gulick, Abby VanVorst
3rd place- Sunset Branch/On Target 4-H Clubs
Members: Abby Mast, Kieran Probert, Addison Ricker, Grace Ricker
- Senior (14-19 year olds)
1st place- No Name
Members: Carly Mekulski, Zoe Probert, Daisy Timney
2nd place- Spirit of the Stallion-Country Clovers 4-H Club
Members: Danielle Eisemann, Ava Reilly, Hailey Smith
3rd place- Equinators- Bridgeville Mustangs 4-H Club
Members: Lexie Carroll, Nathaniel Nowell, Paige Taylor, Riley Taylor