Burlington--Despite the rainy weather on May 5, the outlook was sunny for the 28 horse-savvy 4-H’ers competing in the 2024 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest.
That morning, they met at the Destiny Morgan Farm in Colchester to judge classes of Sport Horse Morgans in Hand, Western Pleasure, Stock -Type Horses in Hand and Open English Pleasure. Afterwards, they moved to the Champlain Valley Exposition grounds in Essex Junction for oral reasons, required of participants ages 12 and up, and the presentation of rosette ribbons to the Top 10 scorers in each age group. The first-place finishers also received a weight tape.
Placements were as follows:
- SENIORS (14 to 18): Tieghan Perry, Danville (first); Amie Thurston, Rutland (second); Bella Kang, Milton (third); Molly Larrabee, West Danville (fourth); Shyanne Wedge, Shoreham (fifth); Addison Tomasi, Milton (sixth)
- JUNIORS (12 and 13): Aleigha Riendeau, Vernon (first); Carlie Rondeau, Coventry (second); Jane Curry, Burlington (third); Elise Thurber, Bellows Falls (fourth); Alex Ryan, Castleton (fifth); Jacqueline Lear, Bath, New Hampshire (sixth); Emma Babyak, Fairfax (seventh); Kiera Klos-Schiavoni, Littleton, New Hampshire (eighth); Tyley McClelland, Vernon (ninth)
- JUNIORS (10 and 11): Graham Robinson, Underhill (first); Avery Minor, Fairfax (second); Jaida Jenkin, Wheelock (third); Eva LaMothe, Barnet (fourth); Breeana Garcia, Woodsville, New Hampshire (fifth); Nora Kidder, Cambridge (sixth); Madeline Cotter, East Concord (seventh)
- JUNIORS (8 and 9): Grace Peterson, Essex (first); Alexander Brown, Vernon (second); Aliyah Bradford, Addison (third); Saige Prisco, Milton (fourth); Thea Ross, St. Johnsbury (fifth); Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton (sixth)
Allie Bachmann and Jessie Bachmann-Lertola, both from Ira, served as judges for the event, which was organized by Wendy Sorrell, University of Vermont Extension 4-H livestock educator. Volunteers who helped out were Stephanie Davis, Clarendon; Abbie Dattilio, Essex; Mary Fay, Westford; Jolene Fontaine, Jericho; and Amanda Gifford, Fairfax.
Horses for the judging classes were provided by Destiny Morgan Farm, Colchester; and Hillcrest Stable, Milton.
To learn more about the Vermont 4-H horse program and events, contact Wendy Sorrell at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.