On March 28, Chittenden County 4-H hosted its annual hippology contest, which brought 18 4-H’ers from northern Vermont to the University of Vermont (UVM) campus to compete.

The multi-phase competition got underway with a written exam, followed by rotation through judging, information and slide identification (horse-related images) stations, all designed to test the participants’ equine knowledge. Overall individual placements were determined by combining scores from all phases of the competition.

Placements were as follows:

  • 8- and 9-year-olds: Fiona Adams, Milton (first); Julie Merlo, Swanton (second)
  • 10- and 11-year-olds: Saige Prisco, Milton (first); Nora Kidder, Cambridge (second); Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton (third); Catherine Baker, Milton (fourth); Grace Peterson, Essex (fifth)
  • 12- and 13-year-olds: Jane Curry, Burlington (first); Emma Babyak (second) and Claire Romano (third), both from Fairfax; Elizabeth Stinton, Northfield (fourth); Locklan Bertrand, Highgate (fifth); Josie Kascha-Hare, Milton (sixth); Kinzi Grindle, St. Albans (seventh)
  • Seniors (14 to 18): Mikayla Tobey, Fairfax (first); Kelsey Paradee, Swanton (second); Aubri Richards (third) and Silje Kruse (fourth), both from Milton
2 kids holding ribbons
Fiona Adams, Milton (left) captured first place, and Julie Merlo, Swanton, second,  in the 8- and 9-year-old age group at the 2025 Chittenden County 4-H hippology contest, March 28 in Burlington. (photo: Amanda Gifford)
5 kids holding ribbons
For five 4-H’ers, ages 10 and 11, it was all about friendly competition at the 2025 Chittenden County 4-H hippology contest, held March 28 at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Competing in this age group were (left to right): Saige Prisco, Milton; Nora Kidder, Cambridge; Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton; Catherine Baker, Milton; and Grace Peterson, Essex. (photo: Amanda Gifford)
7 kids holding ribbons
The 2025 Chittenden County 4-H hippology contest, March 28 in Burlington, attracted seven competitors in the 12- and 13-year-old age group. They were: Front row (left to right): Jane Curry, Burlington; and Emma Babyak and Claire Romano, both from Fairfax. Back row:  Elizabeth Stinton, Northfield; Locklan Bertrand, Highgate; Josie Kascha-Hare, Milton; and Kinzi Grindle, St. Albans. (photo: Amanda Gifford)
4 kids holding ribbons
4-H seniors, ages 14-18 (left to right) Mikayla Tobey, Fairfax; Kelsey Paradee, Swanton; and Aubri Richards and Silje Kruse, both from Milton, vied for placements at the 2025 Chittenden County 4-H hippology contest, March 28 in Burlington. (photo: Amanda Gifford)

The competition, organized by UVM Extension 4-H Educator Martha Manning, served as practice for 4-H'ers who plan to take part in the 2025 State 4-H Hippology Contest, April 12 in Rutland.

For more information about the Chittenden County 4-H horse program, contact Manning at martha.manning@uvm.edu.