Urbana, Ill. -- In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H educational programs enhance members’ knowledge of horse health, breed characteristics, management, and feeding. That knowledge and skills were tested during the State Horse Bowl Contest April 11-12 on the University of Illinois campus.
“Horse bowl has given me knowledge about horses that has been beneficial for me to understand my own horse, but has also given me a community of lifelong friends,” stated Emma Steiger of Rock Island County, who received first place in the Senior Division.
Horse Bowl functions much like a scholastic bowl in a school setting, with an emphasis on equine knowledge with youth competing both individually and on teams. Horse ownership is not a pre-requisite in the either the educational programs or contests.
Top finishers in the Junior Division include: Jocelyn Erickson, Rock Island County, first place; Devin Burrs, Carroll Whiteside County, second place; Nick Gorbach, Rock Island County, third place; Adalyn Bocker, Ogle County, fourth place; Kenzie Hongsermeier, Ogle County, fifth place; Gracelyn Viall, Rock Island County, sixth place; CeCe Cox, Monroe Madison County, seventh place; Nora Moore, Monroe Madison County, eighth place; Mallory Paur, Monroe Madison County, nineth place; McKenzie Merboth, Carroll Whiteside County, tenth place.
Top finishers in the Senior Division include: Emma Steiger, Rock Island County, first place; Ruth Obrien, Rock Island County, second place; Anna Hessell, Rock Island County, third place; Avery Stegall, Knox County, fourth place; Emily Conlee, Knox County, fifth place; Ellis Roger, Knox County, sixth place; Rylan Holman, Knox County seventh place; Shannon Bernard, Marion County, eighth place; Jenna Green, Kendall County, nineth place; Gracie Walker, Hamilton County, tenth place.
In Junior Division Horse Bowl Teams, the Rock Island Mercer in first place, Ogle in second place, Carroll Whiteside in third place, Monroe Madison in fourth place, and Kendall in fifth place.
In Senior Division Horse Bowl Teams, the Rock Island Henry in first place, Knox in second place, and Kendall in third place.
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
For Further Information, Contact:
Source: Deb Hagstrom, University of Illinois Extension Specialist, Horses hagstrom@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa@illinois.edu
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.