Several North Dakota 4-H members brought home ribbons from the recent state 4-H hippology and horse judging contests at the North Dakota State University Equine Center in Fargo.

In the senior 4-H division of the hippology contest, the Burleigh County team placed first. Team members are Jessica Erickson, Sara Johnson, Brittany Swenson and Symonne Gessele, all of Bismarck. The team also earned the right to represent North Dakota at the national contest in Denver next winter. Lorie Erickson is the team’s coach.

Teams from Mercer and Kidder counties placed second and third, respectively.

Hippology is an event that tests participants’ knowledge of horses, horse equipment and supplies. The contest has four parts: a written test, a set of stations where participants identify or answer questions related to the horse or feed and equipment, a team problem and horse judging classes.

The team from Ward County placed first in the junior division. Team members are Casey Evenson and Parker Bush of Minot and Shelby Hennessy of Berthold. The coach is Carla Evenson. Teams from Burleigh and Ransom counties placed second and third, respectively.

In the horse judging contest, the Stark-Billings County team of Angela Adsero, Shayna Dvorak, Rachel Klein, Katelin Dukart and Alecia Dukart, all of Dickinson, placed first in the senior division. Kay Poland is the team’s coach.

Teams from Mountrail and Oliver counties placed second and third, respectively.

Participants evaluated three classes of horses for conformation and three performance classes. Each class has four horses or four horse-and-rider combinations. Participants rank the four and provide oral reasons for their placing in some of the classes. The event provides an opportunity to develop decision making and communication skills.

The Burleigh County team won the junior division of the horse judging contest. Team members are Shelby Mulske, Jordan Jacob and Tari Lardy, all of Bismarck, and Mackenzi Reinhardt of Hazen. Sheila Scholl and Colette Chase are the team’s coaches.

The Stark-Billings County team placed second and the Ward County team placed third.

NDSU Agriculture Communication