The 2024 NC State 4-H Horse Judging Contest was held April 13, 2024 at the St. Andrews University Equestrian Center in Laurinburg, NC. Over ninety contestants placed a total of nine classes that were provided by the St. Andrews University Equestrian Program. Staff members Peggy McElveen, Kelsi Peterson, Carla Wennberg, Nancy Demus, and Emilee Standridge worked hard to coordinate the use of the facilities and to put together our amazing line up of classes.
In the Junior Rookie division, top honors went to Rowan County 4-H’er Kyann Race. Kyann’s coach was Maggie Boreman. Lexi Gilkey from Onslow County was the high scoring Senior Rookie individual and she was coached by Tara Taylor.
Junior Division individual awards were separated into 8-10-year-old and 11-13-year-old age categories. The high individual overall in the 8-10 year division was Leah Grove from Nash County. Leah was coached by Kristi Grove. Rockingham county 4-H’er Reagan Shelton was the top scorer in the 11-13 division. Her coach was Bill Crouse. Champion Junior team honors went to the Cabarrus-Harper team coached by Laura Harper. Team members were Anna Yemtchuk, Brooke Modesto, Avery Pigg, and Madison Bishop.
In the Senior Division, Sara Richardson from Chatham county won first place in both halter and oral reasons. Sara’s coaches were Mary Dickerson and Ruth Vorder Bruegge. Perquimans County 4-H’er Mattison Winslow captured high individual scores in performance and overall. Mattison was coached by Sarah Wolfgang. Union County was the high scoring senior team with team members Addison Taylor, Charlize Colon, Aurora Michaud, and Sailor Freeburn. Samantha Taylor was the coach of the Union County team.
This event would not have been possible without the support of a large number of volunteers that served in various capacities throughout the day, and our contest sponsors. Sponsors for this event were Mr. Bill Crouse and The Dale Earnhardt Foundation.
