Burlington—Six Vermont 4-H’ers recently returned from the 2024 Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, where they competed in several 4-H horse events.

Representing Vermont in the “Big E” horse show and other 4-H delegate events on September 20 and 21 were Viola Brown and Aleigha Riendeau, both from Vernon; Madeline Langlois, Westford; Kelsey Paradee, Swanton; and Shyanne Wedge, Shoreham.

4-H teen leaders from the six New England states, including Bella Kang of Milton, also competed in the 4-H events at Eastern States.

All delegates, including the teen leaders, participated in a general knowledge contest, fitting and showing and judging pony in hand and paint stock horse classes. Each state’s four highest individual scores were combined for a state team judging score and a state team general knowledge score.

In team judging, Vermont’s team, made up of Viola Brown, Bella Kang, Kelsey Paradee and Aleigha Riendeau placed third. Viola, Bella and Kelsey were also on the general knowledge team along with Shyanne Wedge. They came in third.

Vermont 4-H’ers placed in the top 10 in several classes. Two judges evaluated the riders in some classes, so for those two scores are listed.

  • Viola Brown: Ranch Pleasure (first and second); Western All Around (fourth and sixth); Western Equitation (ninth and tenth); Western Fitting and Showmanship (seventh); Western Handiness (second and third); Western Pleasure (third and fourth)
  • Bella Kang: Teen Leader Fitting and Showmanship (first); Teen Leader General Knowledge (third); Teen Leader Judging (first)
  • Madeline Langlois: Equitation Champion; Fitting and Showmanship Champion; Western All Around (first and first); Western Discipline Rail (first and first); Western Equitation (first and first); Western Fitting and Showmanship (first place with a perfect score of 100); Western Pleasure (first and first)
  • Kelsey Paradee: Hunt Seat Discipline Rail (first and first); Hunt Seat Equitation (second and fifth); Hunt Seat Fitting and Showmanship (second); Hunt Seat Pleasure (first and ninth); Hunter Under Saddle (tenth and tenth); Judging (fourth)
  • Aleigha Riendeau: Ranch Pleasure (fourth and ninth); Western All Around (second and second); Western Equitation (second and second); Western Fitting and Showmanship (second); Western Pleasure (fourth and seventh)
  • Shyanne Wedge: Ranch Pleasure (fourth and did not place); Western Equitation (fourth and seventh); Western Fitting and Showmanship (tenth); Western Pleasure (second and sixth)
  • Mary Fay, Westford, served as the coordinator for the Vermont delegation. Chaperones were Cheryl Brown and Shannon McGivney, both from Vernon; and Krista Paradee, Swanton. Jolene Fontaine, Jericho, was the barn manager. 

To learn more about the Vermont 4-H Horse Program, contact Wendy Sorrell, University of Vermont Extension 4-H livestock educator, at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.