Jericho--Aspen East Stable in Jericho hosted the 2023 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest on May 7.

The participants judged five classes: Hunter in Hand, Quarter Horse Mares, English Pleasure, Mini Pleasure Driving and Ranch Pleasure. The Juniors (12 and 13) and Seniors (14 and older) also were required to provide oral reasons for their placements.

The official judges for the University of Vermont Extension 4-H event were Jessie Bachmann-Lertola, Ira, and Hillary Fay, Westford.  Both were past State 4-H Horse Judging Team members who competed at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Kentucky.

Overall rankings for the 33 competitors were:

  • SENIORS (14 to 18): Kelsey Paradee, Swanton (first); Viola Brown, Vernon (second); Jenna Bennett, Swanton (third); Emma Sibley, Georgia (fourth); Rose Ouimet, Castleton (fifth); Isabella Kang, Milton (sixth); Seanna Erickson, Florence (seventh); Emma Reen, Lincoln (eighth); Shyanne Wedge, Shoreham (ninth); Tieghan Perry, Danville (tenth); Haileigh Demers, Westford (eleventh); Elizabeth Gamble, Peacham (twelfth); Hannah Gendreau, Shoreham (thirteenth)
  • JUNIORS (12 and 13): Madison Trudell, Fairfax (first); Sydney Gorton, Milton (second); Aleigha Riendeau, Vernon (third)
  • JUNIORS (10 AND 11): Alexandria Ryan, Castleton (first); Claire Romano, Fairfax (second); Graham Robinson, Underhill (third); Madeline Murphy, Orange (fourth); Cameron Franco, Wheelock (fifth); Mackynzie Tattersall, West Burke (sixth); Kaylee Demars, St. Johnsbury (seventh); Josie Kascha-Hare, Milton (eighth); Jaida Jenkin, Wheelock (ninth); Breeana Garcia, Woodsville, New Hampshire (tenth)
  • JUNIORS (8 and 9): Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton (first); Mason Medor, Swanton (second); Elizabeth Foreman, Fairfax (third); Nora Kidder, Cambridge (fourth); Micah Burdo, St. Albans (fifth); Saige Prisco, Milton (sixth); LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (seventh)
  • Contest superintendents were Deb Danforth, Castleton, and Mary Fay, Westford. Scorekeepers were Martha Blades, Jericho, and Cassie Kennett, Vergennes. Two members of the 2022 State 4-H Horse Judging Team, Jasmine Akley, Vernon, and Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts, assisted with the event.

Jolene Fontaine, the state hippology coach and 4-H adult volunteer from Jericho, arranged all of the classes. Providing horses for the classes were Aspen East Stable and Kristin Villeneuve, Green Mountain Equestrian Center, both from Jericho; Rachel Dean, Mount Mansfield Equestrian Center, Stowe; and the Green Mountain Miniature Horse and Donkey Association.

To learn more about the Vermont 4-H horse program and events, contact Wendy Sorrell at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.