Published on 06/30/21

4-H youth participate in statewide equine educational competition

By Heather Shultz

Georgia 4-H was proud to offer the 2021 State Horse Educational Competition to 111 youth in a virtual format this year. This competition was previously linked with the Georgia 4-H State Horse Show hosted at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry.

Through the Georgia 4-H Horse Program, youth learn life skills including leadership, teamwork and problem-solving. In addition, they develop character traits of responsibility, discipline and respect. For this competition, horse ownership is not a requirement.

“Every year it is amazing to review the submissions and the talent that we have within our Georgia 4-H’ers,” said Heather Shultz, Georgia 4-H Cooperative Extension specialist in livestock programs. “This year it was exciting to showcase a new category for black and white photos. With this new opportunity we were able to highlight some outstanding talent along with the other categories.”

During the virtual competition, youth competed in various educational contests such as individual demonstration, public speaking, photography, painting, drawing and essay contests. They are divided into grade divisions to compete against their peer group. Senior participants include ninth- through 12th-grade youth. Junior participants include seventh and eighth graders. Cloverleaf participants are in grades four through six. All educational competitions were judged online by a committee of industry experts and youth development professionals.

The winners of the 2021 State Horse Educational Competition are:

Individual Demonstration Contest

Senior — Allie Ann Wheeler, Thomas County

Cloverleaf — Kamryn Vannier, Monroe County

Public Speaking Contest

Senior — Bethany McRae, Butts County

Horse Drawing Contest

Senior — Juliette McKinley, Paulding County

Junior — Claire Lummus, Coweta County

Cloverleaf — Josy Johnson, Cobb County

Horse Painting Contest

Senior — Emory Shirley, Douglas County

Junior — Claire Lummus, Coweta County

Cloverleaf — Lyla Judd, Hall County

Horse Essay Contest

Senior — Reese Godby, Grady County

Junior — Avery Pruett, Coweta County

Cloverleaf — Brooklyn Castillo Skinner, Carroll County

Horse Photography Contest (Color)

Senior — Olivia Tierce, Gordon County

Junior — Karma Kilfoyle, Cobb County

Cloverleaf — Elise Wilson, Pulaski County

Horse Photography Contest (Black and White)

Senior — Emma Albertson, Elbert County

Junior — Finn Johnson, Cobb County

Cloverleaf — Josy Johnson, Cobb County

Best in Show

Claire Lummus – Coweta County, Painting Contest

For more information about the Georgia 4-H Horse Program, visit georgia4h.org/horse.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 190,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Extension office.

Heather Shultz is a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist.

Authors:

Heather Shultz

Experts/Sources:

Heather Kalino

The Georgia 4-H Horse Program helps youth develop leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

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