Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: July 6, 2006

Crook, Campbell and Platte County 4-H horse judging teams qualify for nationals

            Crook County’s senior 4-H horse judging team won the championship at the Wyoming state 4-H horse judging meet June 27-28 in Rock Springs.

            Team members include Megan Dirks, Kristin Cornett, Cassie Watson and Oryn Watson.          The team is coached by Karen Dirks. It will represent Wyoming at the western division of the National 4-H Horse Classic Jan. 4-7 in Denver, part of the National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show.

            Placing second was the Campbell County team of Jessie Fahlgren, Kylie Gregory and Kaylin Gregory, coached by Amber McGinley. They will represent the state at the Quarter Horse Congress this October in Columbus, Ohio.

            Third-place honors went to the Platte County team of Christina Aguirre, Cora Rupert and Ty Hiatt, coached by Mike Hoffland. They will compete in the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show this October in Oklahoma City, Okla.

            The state meet attracted 62 4-Hers from 11 counties who competed in junior (ages 8-10), intermediate (11-13) and senior (14-18) divisions.

            “This was a very competitive meet,” said Steve Schafer, state 4-H youth development specialist. “The top three teams were only separated by 10 points out of a possible 1,500, and the top three junior teams were only separated by 14.”

            Schafer added, “The overriding purpose of any of our judging contests is to teach life skills such as decision making, comparative evaluation, public speaking and teamwork. In this particular contest, we also teach horse confirmation and qualities.”

            4-H is the youth arm of the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, and its state offices are in the UW College of Agriculture.

            Intermediate and junior 4-Hers competed together in the junior team competition. Winning high honors was the Niobrara team of Harley Cushman, Zachary Gill, Laura Strohecker and Sami Starkey, coached by Andy Barnette.

            Goshen County placed second. Team members included Codie Coon, Andrea Ramirez-Gurney, Raina Younkin and Michaella Lay. They were coached by Ron Kaufman and Amy Tullis.

            Placing third was the Uinta County team of Dalton Allen, Tycee Mohler, Keeley Rollins and Makinzie Meeks. They were coached by Dawn Sanchez and Doreen Christiansen.

            Individual winners and their counties follow:

            Senior – 1. Allie Bass, Sheridan; 2. Cassie Watson, Crook; 3. Oryn Watson, Crook; 4. Christina Aguirre, Platte; 5. Cora Rupert, Platte.

            Intermediate – 1. Zachary Gill, Niobrara; 2. Keeley Rollins, Uinta; 3. Sage Petersen, Natrona; 4. Shelby Kindsvater, Laramie; 5. Courtney Carroll, Uinta.

            Junior – 1. Raina Younkin, Goshen; 2. Bridgit Hort, Goshen; 3. Devon Burrell, Fremont; 4. Lane Barker, Uinta; 5. Jacob Kennedy, Laramie.

            Sweetwater County was also represented at the state meet.

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