On May 4, Blackrose Morgan Farm in Colchester hosted the 2025 Vermont 4-H Horse Judging Contest, which attracted 26 4-H’ers and three Future Farmers of America (FFA) members.

The youths judged four classes: stock horse halter class; Morgan mare class; Morgan hunter under saddle and saddleseat pleasure. Following the judging, the group moved to the Champlain Valley Exposition grounds in Essex Junction where competitors, ages 12 and older, gave oral reasons for their rankings. The top 10 scorers in each age group received rosette ribbons.

Placements were as follows:

  • Seniors (14-18): Abby Shelp, Derby (first); Carlie Rondeau, Coventry (second); Aubri Richards (third) and Isabella Kang (fourth), both from Milton; Kassie Koehler, Derby (fifth); Kelsey Paradee, Swanton (sixth); Aleigha Riendeau, Vernon (seventh); Lila Smith, Lincoln (eighth); Jacqueline Lear, Bath, New Hampshire (ninth); Emily Tabor, Randolph Center (tenth); Maddie Herring, Northfield (eleventh)
  • Juniors (12-13): Taylor Peck, Sheffield (first); Jane Curry, Burlington (second); Josie Kascha-Hare, Milton (third); Emma Babyak (fourth) and Claire Romano (fifth), both from Fairfax; Piper Parsons, Derby (sixth); Tyley McClelland, Vernon (seventh); Breeana Garcia, St. Johnsbury (eighth); Jaida Jenkin, Lyndonville (ninth); Lochlan Bertrand, Fairfax (tenth)
  • Juniors (10-11): LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (first); Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton (second); Avery Minor, Fairfax (third); Adriana Holbrook, Hardwick (fourth)
  • Juniors (8-9): Avery Halverson, Georgia
5 4-h'ers displaying ribbons
The five highest-scoring seniors (ages 14 to 18) at the 2025 Vermont 4-H Horse Judging Contest, held May 4, were (left to right): Kassie Koehler, Derby; Isabella Kang and Aubri Richards, both from Milton; Carlie Rondeau, Coventry; and Abby Shelp, Derby. (photo: Amanda Turgeon)
10 4-h'ers displaying ribbons
The 2025 Vermont 4-H Horse Judging Contest, which took place on May 4 in Colchester and Essex Junction, attracted 10 competitors in the Junior Division (ages 12 and 13). They were:  Front row: (left to right): Claire Romano and Emma Babyak, both from Fairfax; Josie Kascha-Hare, Milton; Jane Curry, Burlington; and Taylor Peck, Sheffield. Back row: Lochlan Bertrand, Fairfax; Jaida Jenkin, Lyndonville; Breeana Garcia, St. Johnsbury; Tyley McClelland, Vernon; and Piper Parsons, Derby. (photo: Amanda Turgeon)
3 4-h'ers displaying ribbons
Capturing the top three places in the Junior Division (ages 10 and 11) at the 2025 Vermont 4-H Horse Judging Contest, May 4, were (left to right) LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott (first); Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton (second); and Avery Minor, Fairfax (third). (photo: Amanda Turgeon)

Three members of the Missisquoi Valley Union (MVU) Middle and High School FFA chapter also competed in their own division. They were Natalie Chevalier (first), Emma Supernault (second) and Jadyn LaPan (third).

Judges for the event were Jessie Bachmann-Lertola of Ira, the Vermont 4-H Horse Judging Team coach, and Grace Parks, former Vermont 4-H horse judging participant. Amanda Gifford, Fairfax, and Elizabeth Sweet, MVU FFA chapter advisor, served as moderators for the oral reasons. Scorekeepers were Martha Blades, Jericho; Sonja Koehler, Derby; and Melissa Morin, Wolcott.

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