University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H was well-represented in equine competitions at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., Sept. 21-26, with several state horse delegates taking home top awards.

Topping the list of achievements was the first-place finish of the Vermont 4-H horse quiz bowl team, which won by a whopping 34 points over the second-place winner. Team members are Jessie Bachmann, Ira; Amy Blazej, Windham; Meaghan Hughes, Jericho; and Katelyn Phillips, Fair Haven.

The Vermont 4-H horse judging team finished third overall with Mariah Harding, Barre, and Tiffany Couture, Colchester, earning the second highest overall scores in their respective divisions. Other team members include Victoria Mousley, Jericho, and Emi Schweikert, Underhill.

Three of the four championship riders in the four equitation classes were from Vermont: Jessie Bachmann, Ira; Chantel Charlebois, Jericho; and Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester. Chantel Charlebois won the Equitation Championship.

In the general knowledge contest for delegates with horses, Vermont took five of the top 10 placings: Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester (second); Chantel Charlebois, Jericho (seventh); Allison Bachmann, Ira (eighth); Amy Blazej, Windham (ninth); and Jessie Bachmann, Ira (tenth).

In addition, 4-H'ers in the Teen Leader Division, who helped out with the show, competed in this contest in their own division. First place went to Jen Carp of Colchester. Victoria Mousley, Jericho placed fourth, Kiley Baillargeon, Colchester, placed seventh and Emi Schweikert, Underhill, came in eighth.

The 4-H members also competed in fitting and showing classes where they were evaluated on how well they handled and presented their horse to its best advantage as well as the animal's body condition, grooming and overall appearance.

Delegates with horses were divided into three groups of English riders and one group of Western riders for this class. Teen Leaders were allowed to borrow another delegate's horse to compete in their own division.

Results for the fitting and showing classes are:

English Division A:  Caitlin Hughes, North Chittenden (third); English Division B: Katelyn Phillips, Fair Haven (second); Jessie Bachmann, Ira (fourth); English Division C:  Meaghan Hughes, Jericho (tenth).

Western Division:  Allison Bachmann, Ira (third); Chantel Charlebois, Jericho (fourth); Tiffany Couture, Colchester (sixth)

Teen Leader Fitting and Showmanship:  Kiley Baillargeon, Colchester (fourth); Victoria Mousley, Jericho (eighth).

In the English riding division, Vermont 4-H'ers placed in classes as follows:

BRIDLE PATH HACK: Meaghan Hughes, Jericho (second); Mary Williams, Burlington (seventh); Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester (eighth)

COMMAND: Allison Bachmann, Ira (first); Caitlin Hughes, North Chittenden (fourth)

ENGLISH EQUITATION Class A: Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester (fourth); Caitlin Hughes, North Chittenden (fourth); Class B: Jessie Bachmann, Ira (first); Mary Williams, Burlington (second); Class C: Meaghan Hughes, Jericho (third)

ENGLISH PLEASURE Class A: Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester (third); Caitlin Hughes, North Chittenden (fourth); Class B: Mary Williams, Burlington (second); Class C: Meaghan Hughes, Jericho (sixth)

ENGLISH TRAIL: Katelyn Phillips, Fair Haven (first); Caitlin Hughes, North Chittenden (seventh)

HUNTER OVER FENCES: Amy Blazej, Windham (third)

HUNTER UNDER SADDLE: Meaghan Hughes, Jericho (fifth)

State 4-H'ers also competed in Western equestrian classes.

WESTERN EQUITATION: Chantel Charlebois, Jericho (first); Allison Bachmann, Ira (ninth)

WESTERN HANDINESS: Chantel Charlebois, Jericho (third); Allison Bachmann, Ira (fifth); Tiffany Couture, Colchester (ninth)

WESTERN PLEASURE: Tiffany Couture, Colchester (fifth)

WESTERN TRAIL: Chantel Charlebois, Jericho (first); Allison Bachmann, Ira (eighth)

Two Vermont 4-H'ers received additional recognition. Victoria Mousley, Jericho, was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for Vermont. Jen Carp, Colchester, was one of only two 4-H horse delegates from all six New England states to be chosen as the show ringmaster.

Heather Dalto, Fair Haven, and Brooke Mobbs, Colchester, also were selected to represent Vermont at Eastern States in horse show events but were unable to participate this year.

To find out more about the UVM Extension 4-H Horse Program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-5418 or toll-free at (800) 571-0668, ext. 2 (Vermont calls only).