DATE: 3/16/06

CONTACT: Amy McCune, (864) 656-6651; amccune@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

Winners of the 4-H Hippology, Horse Bowl and Communications Contests announced

CLEMSON -- The 4-H Hippology, Horse Bowl and Communications Contests were held Feb 25 - 26 at the Edisto Research and Education Center near Blackville. Many 4-H’ers received awards representing numerous counties in the state.

The Hippology contest consisted of 103 youths participating.

The senior contest included nine teams and 44 total youth. Winners were:

High Individual in Written Phase Aidan Lowe, Kershaw County

High Individual in Stations Phase Sarah Folsom, Darlington County

High Individual in Judging Phase Katherine Wieters, Lexington County

High Individual Overall Sarah Folsom, Darlington County

The Lexington County team of Haley Bishop, Emily House, Katherine Wieters, and Amanda Achelpohl made a clean sweep of the contest winning the written, stations, judging and team problem phases and overall high team. These youths will represent South Carolina 4-H in hippology contests at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in Raleigh, N.C. in August and also at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, KY in November.

Second high team overall was Darlington County with Sarah Folsom, Jessica Rawl, Kelsey Oglivie, and Norman Horton. Third high team overall was Chester County team with Tim Steele, Courtney Cabannis and Stephanie Good.

In the junior division, 15 teams competed with a total of 59 youth. Winners were:

High Individual in Written Phase Julia Carpenter, Pickens County

High Individual in Stations Phase Julia Carpenter, Pickens County

High Individual in Judging Phase Alex Glasscock, York County

High Individual Overall Julia Carpenter, Pickens County

The High Team in Written Phase, Team Problem Phase and High Team Overall was the Richland County team with Cody McMillion, Jesse Privett, Dakota Jones, and Melissa Groleau.

The High Team in Stations Phase and second placed junior team overall was the Chester County with Lydia Dodson, Breanna Melvin, Maggie Gaston, and Ted Steele.

The High Team in the Judging Phase and third high team overall was the team from Sumter County consisting of Kody Brown, Natalie Hopson, Katie Lamb, and Sarah Bitsky.

In the Horse Bowl Competition, seven teams from Chester, Greenwood, Richland, Sumter, and York counties competed in the Junior Division in a single elimination contest. At the end of the day, the first place team was Greenwood County’s team of Lucy Wetzel, Hannah and Shanna Byerly, Casey Miller, and Julia Carpenter. Second place team from Richland County included members; Cody McMillion, Jesse Privett, Dakota James, Melissa Groleau, and Betts Ressegvie. Third place honors went to Jo Beth Gaston, Adam Steele, Max Johnson, Hannah Steele, and Maggie Gaston of Chester County.

Top Five individuals in the Junior Contest were:

High Individual Casey Miller of Greenwood County

Second High Individual Cody McMillion of Richland County

Third High Individual Melissa Groleau of Richland

Fourth High Individual Jesse Privett of Richland

Fifth High Individual Adam Steele of Chester County

In Senior Horse Bowl, five teams from Chester, Darlington, Richland (2 teams), and York Counties competed in double elimination play. After rounds of exciting competition, Chester County’s team with Morgan Conrad, Tim Steele, Cassie Oakes, Courtney Cabannis, and Cameron Bunkley came out in first place. This winning team will represent South Carolina in horse bowl competitions at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in Raleigh in July, and at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Bowl competition in Louisville, KY this fall.

Richland County’s B Team with Joye and Lucas Dimsdale, Ali Duncan, and Amanda Hendrix came in second place. In third place was York County’s team of Ethan Cultan, Sonya Diaz, Jodi Turner, Adam Wray, and Jessica Horton.

Top Five Individuals in the Senior Contest were:

High Individual Tim Steele of Chester County

Second High Individual Morgan Conrad of Chester County

Third High Individual Sarah Folsom of Darlington County

Fourth High Individual Ali Duncan of Richland County

Fifth High Individual Courtney Cabannis of Chester County

The winner in the Communications Contest was Aidan Lowe of Kershaw who won top Individual Presentation. She will represent South Carolina in the communication competition at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in Raleigh in July, and at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Bowl competition in Louisville, KY this fall.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. The South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach, the involvement of caring adults, the knowledge and resources of Clemson University and the land grant university system to empower youth to become healthy, productive and contributing members of society.

State 4-H Director, Dr. Keith Diem, notes that “4-H provides youth the opportunity to master the knowledge and skills of their project area. The success of the 4-H horse project is the perfect example of a 4-H experience that these youth will remember throughout their lives.”

To learn more 4-H in your community, contact your local county Extension office or go the state 4-H web site at www.clemson.edu/4h.

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