Logan County teen claims top honors in State 4-H Horse Contests

[May 17, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

Ruthie Ruhl, member of the Topper 4-H Club in Logan County, won the junior division of the 2017 Illinois 4-H State Horse Bowl Contest. A year later, the teen returned to capture the championship in the senior division. Ruhl was also a member of the second place Sr. Horse Bowl Team consisting of Tazewell and Logan County youth. In addition, she was top individual in the Intermediate division of the State Horse Hippology Contest. Ruthie credits 4-H with preparing her to share knowledge of the equine industry.

“Through the program, I have been able to share my knowledge with the younger equestrians,” Ruhl said, “and make new friends along the way.”

Horse quiz bowls operate much in the same fashion as school academic quiz bowls with teams of youth answering a series of questions as quickly and accurately as possible. The questions can come from all fields of the equine industry. Teams advanced to state through regional championships.

“The primary objective of these contests is to provide an opportunity for youth to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail,” said Debra Hagstrom, University of Illinois Extension equine specialist.

Young people with a passion for horses can participate in 4-H educational contests related to the equine industry regardless of whether they even own a horse, said Hagstrom. These educational programs enhance members’ knowledge of horse health, breed characteristics, management, and feeding.

Ruthie Ruhl, Logan County Topper 4-H club member, Debra Hagstrom, University of Illinois Extension equine specialist.

The 4-H Horse Speaking Contest helps youth gain self-confidence, courage and persuasiveness; share ideas with others; and develop the ability to speak in public to inform others about horse-related subjects and the 4-H horse project, said Hagstrom. Youth may compete in formal, extemporaneous, and presentation divisions of the contest.

Ruthie Ruhl again took top honors in the extemporaneous speaking division, as well as placed third in the Senior Division with her formal speech. Charlotte Toohill, member of Atlanta Ag 4-H, placed sixth in the Senior formal speech division.

For further information about Logan County Horse Bowl contact the 4-H office at 732-8289.

About 4-H: Illinois 4-H strives to help youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H aims to impact the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.

[Patty Huffer
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension]