The 2023 NC State 4-H Hippology contest was held on March 11, 2023, on the NCSU Campus. A total of 208 contestants competed in the Senior, Junior, Junior Rookie, Senior Rookie, and Cloverbud divisions. 4-H’ers completed exams, slide identification items, stations, judging classes, and team problems. The high individuals in the junior and senior divisions were awarded the title of Horseman of the Year. The contest was sponsored by the North Central and Southeast District 4-H Horse Councils, the Wake County 4-H Horse Program, and Kate McAlinn.
Alamance county 4-H’ers took home the high-scoring individual awards in both the Junior Rookie and Senior divisions. Madison Sharpsteen won Junior Rookie and Saona Wilcox won Senior Horseman of the year. Both 4-H’ers were coached by Lindsay Ridell. Michaela Sewell and Emma Horton from Rutherford county took home top honors in the Senior Rookie and Junior categories, respectively. Michaela was coached by Misty Yelton and Emma’s coach was Cythina Robbins.
Perquimans county’s junior team captured the champion team title. Team members were Charli Williams, Caris Smith, and Ava Miller and the team was coached by Sarah Wolfgang. In the senior division, Chatham county won first place in both team problem and overall. Sara Richardson, Austen Stinson-Miller, Caleigh Gantt, and Victoria Smith comprised the team coached by Mary Dickerson and Ruth Vorder-Bruegge.
