Logan County 4-H members in top ten at State Horse contests

 

[April 22, 2019] 

The Illinois State 4-H Horse Bowl, Hippology, and Horse Speech contests took place on April 13th & 14th on the U of I campus. Logan County had three 4-H members qualify at regional contests to participate in these state events with all three of them placing in the top ten competitors at the state contests.

Ruthie Ruhl, member of the Topper 4-H Club in Logan County, placed second individually in the senior division of the Horse Bowl Contest and David Morrow, member of the Cloverdale 4-H club, placed ninth individually. Ruhl and Morrow were also members of the second place Sr. Horse Bowl Team consisting of Tazewell and Logan County youth.

In the Junior Horse Bowl contest, Kristy Morrow, member of Cloverdale 4-H, was seventh place individual.

Ruhl was also second place individual in the Senior division of the State 4-H 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 in the same fashion as school academic quiz bowls with youth answering questions as quickly & accurately as possible. Questions can come from all fields of the equine industry.

The Logan/Tazewell Senior Horse Bowl Team (L to R) Coach Kristen Green, Ruthie Ruhl, David Morrow, Audrey Aeberle, and Bethany Russman - placed second in the State 4-H Senior Horse Bowl competition.

“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.

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. Youth may compete in formal, extemporaneous, and presentation divisions of the contest. Ruthie Ruhl placed second in the extemporaneous speaking division, as well as second in the Senior Division with her individual equine presentation.

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/4-H Youth Development]