Barton--Area 4-H'ers and their horses camped overnight at the Orleans County Fairgrounds in Barton, June 21-23, for the 2024 Northeast Regional 4-H Horsemanship Clinic.

The annual event is designed to provide a fun learning environment for kids, 5 to 18, to learn about horses and improve their riding and horsemanship skills. It was sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H in Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties.

The jam-packed weekend agenda included fitting and showmanship lessons, English riding and jumping lessons and classes, Western riding lessons, drill team practice and general knowledge competitions. At the Sunday afternoon horse show, which included more than 30 individual classes, the young equestrians demonstrated what they learned for family and friends.

Activities also were planned for 4-H Cloverbuds, ages 5 to 7, and participants without horses. They took part in craft activities, a scavenger hunt and workshops on horse care and leading. 

Throughout the weekend, the 4-H clubs were evaluated on the cleanliness of their stall and stable area including decorations, tidiness of tack room and condition of tack. The Wildlife Warriors 4-H Club of St. Johnsbury earned the best overall score for stable management and received the “Golden Bucket of Goodies,” an assortment of horse-related items and candy to share.

Jenesy Zwart of Danville, a member of the Blazing Bridles 4-H Club in Caledonia County, received the Shelby Noyes Sportsmanship award. Shelby was an Essex County 4-H'er and a member of the South Kirby Hilltoppers 4-H Club who passed away in 2002 at the age of 12 due to injuries from a horse accident.

Placing first in their respective fitting and showmanship classes were:

  • Quinn Charest, Derby Line (Beginner); Zayne Franko, Lyndonville (Leadline); Adriana Leonard, East Hardwick (Advanced Beginner); Penelope Longe, Newport (Junior); and Jillyan Normand , North Concord (Basic Beginner)

Top placements in the 4-H project classes were:

  • Junior/Senior 4-H Project: Carlie Rondeau (first); Kassie Koehler (second); and Penelope Longe (third), all of Newport
  • Advanced Beginner 4-H Project: Taylor Peck, Sheffield (first); LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (second); Piper Parsons, Derby (third)
  • Beginner 4-H Project: Kaylee Demars, St. Johnsbury (first); Jaqueline Lear, Bath, New Hampshire (second); Quinn Charest, Derby Line (third)
  • Basic Beginner 4-H Project: Eva Lamothe, Barnet (first)

Placements in the Trail classes were:

  • Junior Trail: Penelope Longe (first), Carlie Rondeau (second) and Kassie Koehler (third), all from Newport
  • Advance Beginner Trail: Vera Acheson, North Troy (first); Piper Parsons, Derby (second); Taylor Peck, Sheffield (third)
  • Beginner Trail: Thea Ross, St. Johnsbury (first); Kaylee Demars, St. Johnsbury (second); Nora Acheson, North Troy (third)
  • Basic Beginner Trail: Eva Lamothe, Barnet (first)
  • Leadline Trail: Zayne Franko, Lyndonville (first); Abigail Clouatre, Williston (second)
  • In Hand Trail: Jaida Jenkin, Lyndonville (first); Jillyan Normand, North Concord (second); Maddy Cotter, Concord (third)

General Knowledge (gold, silver and bronze medal awards for first through third)

  • SENIORS (14 and older): Adriana Leonard, East Hardwick (gold)
  • JUNIORS (12 and 13): Carlie Rondeau (gold) and Penelope Longe (silver), both from Newport; Jenesy Zwart, Danville (bronze)
  • JUNIORS (10 and 11): LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (gold); Vera Acheson, North Troy (silver); Jayde Hopkins, Newport (bronze)
  • JUNIORS (8 and 9):  Nora Acheson, North Troy (gold); Thea Ross, St. Johnsbury (silver); Abigail Clouatre, Williston (bronze)
  • CLOVERBUDS:  Zayne Franko, Lyndonville, received a special rosette ribbon for participation.

Horse Judging

  • SENIORS (14 and older): Adriana Leonard, East Hardwick (first)
  • JUNIORS (12 and 13): Kassie Koehler (first); Penelope Longe (second); and Carlie Rondeau (third), all from Newport
  • JUNIORS (10 and 11):  Jayde Hopkins, Newport (first); Taylor Peck, Sheffield (second); Piper Parsons, Derby (third)
  • JUNIORS (8 and 9):  Alivia Hisman, Westfield (first); Quinn Charest, Derby Line (second); Abigail Clouatre, Williston (third)

Breeana Garcia, Woodsville, New Hampshire, and Kiera Klos-Schiavoni, Littleton, New Hampshire, also took part in the weekend horse clinic.

The clinic was organized by UVM Extension 4-H Educators Lindy Birch and Holly Ferris. Kate Stone, St. Johnsbury, served as announcer for the horse show and Barb Kristoff, Barnet, handled helmet fitting. Bridget Webber, West Burke, was the ring steward but also provided riding instruction along with Heather Emslie, Bethlehem, New Hampshire; Priscilla McCormick, Danville; and Allison Patenaude, Derby.

4-H leaders Kristi Acheson, North Troy; Miranda Achilles, Waterford; Jillan Dargie, Danville; Jonathan Franko, Lyndonville; Sonia Koehler, Newport; Melissa Morin, Wolcott; and Amanda Turgeon, St. Johnsbury; and several parents assisted with the clinic. The Tractor Supply Company store in Newport donated a pallet of shavings for the event.

To learn more about 4-H in Caledonia and Lamoille Counties, contact Holly Ferris at (802) 656-7562. For Essex and Orleans Counties, contact Lindy Birch at (802) 656-7572.