News

Cumberland 4-H’ers Prepare For
State 4-H Hippology & Horse Judging Contests

Five 4-H members will represent Cumberland County at the New Jersey 4-H Horse Judging and Hippology Contests on April 9 and 10 in Gloucester County.

The New Jersey 4-H Hippology Project is a unique and challenging aspect of the 4-H Horse Program. This educational project allows 4-H'ers to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired in the Horse Bowl and Horse Judging Projects as well as their competency in practical horse management.

Hippology combines horse judging, the technical knowledge learned in horse bowl, and the practical application of various horse related skills. 4-H members put their knowledge to use as they complete an examination phase, a station phase that includes identifying horse-related items, a judging phase, and a team problems phase that emphasizes teamwork and planning. The State Competition uses four different phases (horse judging, examinations, stations and team problems in which the 4-Hers express their equine learning through written quizzes, oral presentations and hands-on stations.

The Hippology project takes place throughout the year, and is a culmination of all activities that happen in the horse club. All information gathered during the year can be applied to Hippology. Like Horse Bowl, clubs can stage their own "mock" Hippology events. Developing your own "stations" is a fun, hands-on way for 4-H'ers to learn about different aspects of the horse.

The 4-H Horse Judging Project provides youth with a wonderful opportunity to develop and/or improve their ability to envision the ideal horse and acknowledge undesirable characteristics associated with judging horses. This project also provides 4-H'ers with the opportunity to excel and be recognized for skills (such as verbal communication and deductive reasoning) which are not dependent upon a live horse project.

In horse judging, 4-H members make a careful study of animals measuring them individually against a commonly accepted ideal, and they learn to look at a group of four horses (a class) and compare the balance and type, as well as the correctness of the horses’ structures. Generally, 4-H members also have an opportunity to give oral reasons for why they rated the classes the way they did. 4-H members who participate in horse judging become keen observers, poised and confident speakers, and learn that doing their best is a positive contribution to the team.

The following individuals comprise the Junior Division (grades 4-8) team:

• Samantha Newkirk of Hopewell Township
• Nikayla Hetzell of Pittsgrove
• Hannah Ricci of Millville

• Brittany Weir from Dividing Creek
• Tabitha Camp of Millville

The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. 4-H offers educational programs to all youth, grades K-13 (one year out of high school), on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

For additional information about the 4-H Horse Program contact the

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills!