Shoreham--The 2023 Addison County 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl was held February 18 at the Shoreham Elementary School in Shoreham. Thirteen youths participated in the event. 

The horse quiz bowl is a timed buzzer contest, arranged by age groups, where 4-H'ers test their horse knowledge by answering questions about breeds, colors, feeds and nutrition, anatomy and other equine-related topics. Once a question is asked, they have 30 seconds to buzz in and respond correctly.

The two younger groups took part in two rounds of 20 questions while the older competitors, ages 13-18, had three rounds of 20 questions. Bonus questions were used to break ties.

In the 8- and 9-year-olds division, Nora Bergevin, Shoreham, came in first and Aliyah Bradford, Addison, second. Participating just for fun in this division were three 4-H Cloverbuds (ages 5-7) Paisley Dwy, Bridport; Hunter Grant, Addison; and Mya Sturtevant, New Haven.

Four 4-H'ers competed in the 10- to 12-year-olds division. They were Alexis Freegard, Bristol (first); Iris Bassett, New Haven (second); Sophia Welch, Bridport (third); and Naria Audet, Orwell (fourth).

Bella Shimel, Bridport, captured first place in the 13-year-olds and older division. Coming in second was Hannah Gendreau, followed by Randy Cameron, both from Shoreham. Caitlin Gillett, Weybridge, took fourth.

Shoreham 4-H'er Shyanne Wedge served as a scorekeeper for the event. Because she was a member of the Vermont 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl team last year, she was ineligible to compete in the county quiz bowl but volunteered to assist with the event.

Adult volunteers included Kathy and Cassie Kennett, Vergennes, who prepared the questions for the buzzer rounds, and 4-H club leaders Melanie Harrison, Bridport; Kristy Wedge, Shoreham; and Anna Willenbaker, Addison; who served as moderators for the contest.

Addison County 4-H sponsored the quiz bowl, which was organized by Martha Seifert, county 4-H educator. To learn more about the 4-H horse project and other county horse events, contact her at (802) 388-4969, ext. 355, or martha.seifert@uvm.edu.