Essex Junction--Despite a last-minute venue change due to storm damage, the 2024 Vermont State 4-H Horse Show went on without a hitch, attracting 35 competitors.

The July 12-14 event, sponsored by University of Vermont Extension 4-H, was held at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds, which graciously offered the use of its Essex Junction facilities as organizers scrambled to find a new location — and notify all registered exhibitors--the day before the start of the show.

The official show judge was Heath Gunnison from Lexington, Kentucky, a former Vermont 4-H member who participated in this horse show as a youth. Another former 4-H’er, Jessie Bachmann-Lertola, Ira, judged the fitting and showmanship and trail classes.

Whitney Dunklee, was named the 4-H Showmanship Champion after placing first overall in fitting and showmanship. The Reserve 4-H Showmanship Champion went to Sydney Gorton, Milton. The top two finishers from each division (Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Junior and Senior) competed for the championship.

Others in contention for the showmanship championship awards were Emma Babyak, Fairfax; Nora Bergevin, Shoreham; LeighAnn Judd, Morrisville; Tyley McClelland, Vernon; and Jenesy Zwart, Danville. 

Horse show participants also competed in quiz bowl and judging, with the scores from these combined with the fitting and showmanship and 4-H project/suitability class to determine the overall 4-H Division champions. Quiz bowl and judging were open to 4-H’ers without horses, giving more 4-H horse members an opportunity to participate in the show.

In quiz bowl (ages 8-10), Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton, came in first, followed by Nora Bergevin, Shoreham, second, and LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott, third. In the 11- to 13-year-olds division, the top winners were Jane Curry, Burlington (first); Aleigha Riendeau, Vernon (second) and Elyse Thurber, Bellows Falls (third). Senior division winners (ages 14-18) were Annalise Cooledge, Westford (first); MiKayla Tobey, Fairfax (second) and Tieghan Perry, Danville (third).

Milton 4-H’er Ian Kascha-Hare also placed first in judging in the 8- to 10-year-olds division, Placing second was Alec Brown, Vernon, with Grace Peterson, Essex, third. Josephina Kascha-Hare, Milton; Tessa Buskey, North Ferrisburgh; and Elyse Thurber, Bellows Falls, placed first through third, respectively, for 11- to 13-year-olds. Viola Brown, Vernon (first); Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts (second); and Bella Shimel, Bridport (third) took top honors in the senior division.

The 4-H Division champions were: 

  • BEGINNER: Champion — Tyley McClelland, Vernon; Reserve Champion — Emma Babyak, Fairfax 
  • ADVANCED BEGINNER: Champion — Jenesy Zwart, Danville; Reserve Champion — LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott
  • JUNIOR (8-13): Champion — Elyse Thurber, Bellows Falls; Reserve Champion — Jane Curry, Burlington
  • SENIOR (14-18): Champion — Shyanne Wedge, Shoreham; Reserve Champion — Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts. For earning the senior championship, Shyanne also received the Paul Quinn Memorial Award, given in honor of a late equine photographer who was a strong supporter of the state 4-H horse program and show.

Winners in the discipline divisions were as follows:

ENGLISH DIVISION (based on combined scores in equitation, trail, pleasure and either road hack or hunter under saddle classes):

  • JUNIOR (8-13): Champion — Jane Curry, Burlington; Reserve Champion — Iris Bassett, New Haven 
  • SENIOR (14-18): Champion — Sydney Gorton, Milton; Reserve Champion — Renee Payton, Danville 

WESTERN DIVISION (based on combined scores from equitation, trail, performance and pleasure classes) were: 

  • Champion — Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts; Reserve Champion--Viola Brown, Vernon 

GYMKHANA (speed pattern racing and timed games on horseback):

  • BEGINNER: Champion — Cassie Hill, Vernon; Reserve Champion — Josephina Kascha-Hare, Milton 
  • JUNIOR: Champion — Aleigha Riendeau, Vernon; Reserve Champion — Jane Curry, Burlington
  • SENIOR: Champion — Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts; Reserve Champion — Sydney Gorton, Milton

SMALL EQUINE (miniature horse or small pony shown in-hand trail, suitability, in-hand hunter over fences):

  • Champion — Annabel Carson, South Londonderry 

Championships also were awarded to the top beginners and advanced beginners, riding either English or Western. Winners were determined by combining each individual's placements from trail, road hack, equitation and pleasure classes.

BEGINNER:

  • Champion — Emma Babyak, Fairfax; Reserve Champion — Tyley McClelland, Vernon

ADVANCED BEGINNER:

  • Champion —Jenesy Zwart, Danville; Reserve Champion — LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott 

Several special awards also were presented at the show:

  • Designated Hitter High Point 4-H Champion (overall high points in the 4-H Division): Elyse Thurber, Bellows Falls 
  • Jim Wallace Memorial Pleasure Class Award (top finisher in this class): Jane Curry, Burlington 
  • Melissa Issler Alumni Equitation Class for 4-H alumni: Faith Ploof, Westford 
  • Marci Mac plaque (winner of the versatility class): Whitney Dunklee, Vernon
  • The Solids, Stripes and Spots 4-H Club of Vernon won the 4-H Club Award (club with the highest combined scores in the 4-H Division) with the Whispering Pines 4-H Club, Westford, taking second and the Silver Hooves 4-H Club, Shoreham, third. 

To learn more about the UVM Extension 4-H Horse Program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 651-8343, ext. 513.