The Next Generation

Delaware 4-H holds inaugural horse contest

HARRINGTON, Del. (Dec. 20, 2016) — The Delaware 4-H program held its first statewide 4-H Hippology contest on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Little Family’s Golden Locket Farm. 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. Some 36 youth ages 7-19 from across the state participated in the inaugural offering.
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, tack, grooming 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 feeds and feeding; requiring youth to identify feed samples and perform calculations related to feeding horses, and identification of horses; requiring youth to measure and identify horses in different ways and answer some further process questions about the subject.
4-H volunteer adult leaders coached young people in the month leading up to the competition to prepare them using specified resource materials. 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.
The High Individuals in each age division were:
•    Beginner (8-10 year olds)
Clara Gulick- Tails and Trails 4-H Club New Castle County
•    Intermediate (11-13 year olds)
Sydney Messick- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County
•    Senior (14-19 year olds)
Nicole Cannavo- Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club, Kent County
The High Teams in each age division were:
•    Beginner (8-10 year olds)
Camo and Cowgirls- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County
Members; Miranda Garey, Savannah Messick, Carley Rebuck, Ethan Stafford
•    Intermediate (11-13 year olds)
Yellow Snowflakes- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County
Members: Rachel Adkins, Sydni Brown, Sydney Messick
•    Senior (14-19 year olds)
Appaloosa’s- Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club, Kent County
Members: Nicole Cannavo, Grant Kidner, Jessica Knowles, Maddy Lester