Local 4-H members show horse sense at state-wide contest

Nearly 180 Missouri youths were all business as they evaluated nine classes of horses at the 2011 State 4-H Horse Judging contest, March 19, on the University of Missouri campus.  Bates County 4-H’ers Reba Colin, Clay Cumpton, Clint Cumpton, Kirstyn Eckhoff, James Fischer, and Taylor Fischer placed 2nd overall out of twenty-four teams in the Junior Division Team Judging.  In the Junior Individual Division, Taylor Fischer placed 4th; Reba Colin, 6th; James Fischer, 17^th; Clint Cumpton, 23^rd; Kirstyn Eckhoff, 27^th; and Clay Cumpton, 67^th out of a field of 85.  In the Senior Division, Daisy Miller finished 23^rd out of 68 contestants.

"4-H members have been practicing their horse judging skills in preparation for the contest but it's more than just a judging competition," according to Ben Gallup, State 4-H youth development specialist. “Public speaking, critical thinking and decision making are all transferable skills gleaned from participation.  We call them life skills, but honestly the kids are here because they love horses," he added.

Alan J. Mundey, Bates County 4-H Youth Specialist, stated that in the contest, the young people compared four horses in each class based on desirable breed traits and ranked the animals from most to least desirable. They also explained their rankings to the judges.  Mundey would like to thank 4-H volunteers Jimmie Franklin and Cody Franklin for coaching the Junior horse judging team.

 

To learn more about 4-H and how to get involved locally go online to http://mo4h.missouri.edu or visit the nearest University of Missouri Extension Center.