The 2025 Vermont State 4-H Horse Show delivered all that it promised: Serious, but fun, competitions and a chance to connect with fellow 4-H equestrians from throughout Vermont. University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H sponsored the annual event, which was held at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds in Essex Junction, July 11 to 13.

boy on a horse paused in front of a mailbox
As his horse waits patiently, Lochlan Bertrand, Swanton, opens a mailbox, one of the required tasks in the trail class at the at the 2025 Vermont State 4-H Horse Show, held July 11 to 13, at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds in Essex Junction. (photo: Fox Portrait Photography)

The top two finishers from each division (Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Junior and Senior) competed for the Fitting and Showmanship championships. Allessandra Hoffman, Milton, was named Fitting and Showmanship Champion with Viola Brown, Vernon, capturing the Reserve Champion award.

girl on a horse maneuvering around cones
Milton 4-H’er Fiona Adams skillfully maneuvers her horse around the cones in the trail class at the 2025 Vermont State 4-H Horse Show, July 11 to 13, in Essex Junction. (photo: Fox Portrait Photography)

Other qualifiers in this competition were Tyley McClelland, Vernon, who placed  third, followed by Fiona Adams, fourth, and Saige Prisco, fifth, both from Milton; Kaylee Demars, St. Johnsbury, sixth; Lochlan Bertrand, Swanton,  seventh; and Devin Davidson, Barnet, eighth.

Horse show participants also took part in quiz bowl and judging, with the scores from these combined with the fitting and showmanship and 4-H project/suitability class to determine the overall 4-H Division champions. To give more 4-H horse members an opportunity to participate in the weekend event, both quiz bowl and judging were open to 4-H’ers without horses.

girl on a horse stepping over horizontal poles
Megan Carson, Windham, guides her horse over a row of poles in the trail class at the 2025 Vermont State 4-H Horse Show, July 11 to 13, in Essex Junction. (photo: Fox Portrait Photography)

Finishing in first through third place in each age division in quiz bowl were:

  • Seniors (14 to 18): Aleigha Riendeau, Vernon (first); Megan Carson, Windham (second);      Allessandra Hoffman, Milton (third)
  • Juniors (11 to13): Elizabeth Stinson, Northfield (first); Jane Curry, Burlington (second); Lachlan Bertrand, Swanton (third)
  • Juniors (8 to 10):  Fiona Adams (first) and Saige Prisco (second), both from Milton; Thea Ross, St. Johnsbury (third)

Winners in the judging contest were:

  • Seniors (14 to 18): Allessandra Hoffman, Milton (first); Aubrie Houle, Vernon (second); Carlie Rondeau, Newport (third)
  • Juniors (11 to13): Devin Davidson, Barnet (first); Penelope Longe, Newport (second); Lachlan Bertrand, Swanton (third)
  • Juniors (8 to 10):  Julie Merlo, Swanton (first), Pliny Crafts, Albany (second); Catherine Baker, Milton (third)

The 4-H Division champions were: 

  • BEGINNER: Champion--Lochlan Bertrand, Swanton; Reserve Champion--Aubri Richards, Fairfax
  • ADVANCED BEGINNER: Champion--Saige Prisco, Milton; Reserve Champion--Elizabeth Stinson, Northfield
  • JUNIOR (8 to 13): Champion--Jane Curry, Burlington; Reserve Champion--Tyley McClelland, Vernon
  • SENIOR (14 to 18): Champion--Allessandra Hoffman, Milton; Reserve Champion--Viola Brown, Vernon. For capturing the senior championship, Allessandra was presented with the Paul Quinn Memorial Award, given in memory of a late equine photographer who was a staunch supporter of the state 4-H horse program and show.

Winners in the discipline divisions were as follows:

  • ENGLISH DIVISION (based on combined scores in equitation, trail, pleasure and either road hack or hunter under saddle classes):
  • JUNIOR (8-13): Champion--Penelope Longe, Newport; Reserve Champion--Piper Parsons, Derby
  • SENIOR (14-18): Champion--Sydney Gorton, Milton; Reserve Champion--Kassie Koehler, Derby
  • WESTERN DIVISION (based on combined scores from equitation, trail, performance and pleasure classes) were:
  • Champion--Viola Brown; Reserve Champion--Tyley McClelland, both from Vernon
  • GYMKHANA (speed pattern racing and timed games on horseback):
  • BEGINNER/ADVANCE BEGINNER: Champion—Aubrie Houle, Vernon; Reserve Champion—Ian Kascha-Hare, Milton
  • JUNIOR/SENIOR: Champion--Sydney Gorton, Milton; Reserve Champion—Viola Brown, Vernon
  • SMALL EQUINE (miniature horse or small pony shown in-hand trail, suitability, in-hand hunter over fences): Champion--Aubri Richards; Reserve Champion--Claire Romano, both from Fairfax

The top beginners and advanced beginners, riding either English or Western, also received championship awards. These winners were determined by combining each individual's placements from trail, road hack, equitation and pleasure classes.

  • BEGINNER: Champion--Natalie Taylor, Danville; Reserve Champion--Thea Ross, St. Johnsbury
  • ADVANCED BEGINNER: Champion-- Aubrie Houle, Vernon; Reserve Champion--Kaylee Demars, St. Johnsbury

Several participants also received special awards at the show:

  • Designated Hitter High Point 4-H Champion (overall high points in the 4-H Division): Allessandra Hoffman, Milton
  • Jim Wallace Memorial Pleasure Class Award (top finisher in this class): Viola Brown, Vernon
  • Melissa Issler Alumni Equitation Class for 4-H alumni: Faith Ploof, Westford
  • 4-H Club Award (highest combined scores by the top three club members in fitting and showmanship, quiz bowl, judging and project classes): Whispering Pines 4-H Club, Westford (first); Solids, Stripes and Spots 4-H Club, Vernon (second); Kingdom Hoofbeats, Newport (third)

Amanda Golembeski, Gill, Massachusetts, served as the show judge with Hailee Blades, Milton, acting as ring steward and Ursula Ovitt, Huntington, as the announcer. Deb Danforth, Castleton, and Mary Fay, Westford, were the show managers.

Other show officials and volunteers were Martha Blades, Jericho, and Jean Fay, Essex (scorekeepers); Cheryl Brown, Vernon (gymkhana); Jolene Fontaine, Jericho (ribbons and prizes); Amanda Gifford, Fairfax (dressage and jumping manager); Tessa Krauss, Underhill (gatekeeper); Emily Shields, Fair Haven (photographer); and Cara Turnbull (assistant show secretary) and Ellen Turnbull (show secretary), both from Essex Junction.

For more information about the UVM Extension 4-H Horse Program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-7641.