Michigan 4-H youth have great success at national horse judging contests this fall
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EmailMichigan 4-H youth competed at the Eastern National 4-H Round-up and the All-American Quarter Horse Congress.
Spring 2025 was a busy time for Michigan 4-H horse and pony project participants. Between hippology practice, horse judging practice, prepping horses for the spring and summer show series, and finally the coveted state contests, youth in horse projects certainly kept busy!
The Michigan 4-H and FFA Horse Judging State Contest took place on March 29, and saw more than 200 participants. All senior 4-H teams competed for one of the top three slots, which carry a chance to represent Michigan at a national competition in the fall. Berrien County 4-H took home the first-place honors, Lenawee County 4-H came in second, and Allegan County 4-H rounded out the top three teams in third place.
Berrien County geared up all summer and fall, practicing for the 2025 Eastern National 4-H Round-up in Louisville, Kentucky. There, the team evaluated and placed four halter and six performance classes, followed by delivering four sets of oral reasons to defend their placings. Oral reasons can seem daunting to many, but not to this team! With 26 total teams competing, the Michigan 4-H team placed in the top ten, taking eighth place in the team reasons division.
Along with a strong team finish in reasons, the Berrien County team was also in the top ten with a ninth place win in performance class scoring! It is not often that a team is made of only three individuals; however, these three young people were strong competitors and were only outside of the top ten in overall placings by one point. Congratulations to the team on their many achievements!
Lenawee County 4-H practiced hard to prepare for the All-American Quarter Horse Congress (AAQHC) in Columbus, Ohio. This team did a phenomenal job at the AAQHC, coming out in the top 30 overall teams at an event that is becoming one of the most competitive and coveted horse judging contests. While they did not receive awards for individual placings in the contest, most divisions and placings were separated by singular points and tiebreakers. Congratulations to Lenawee County 4-H on their Top 30 accomplishment!
Placings alone do not characterize the growth, tenacity and success of a team. Both teams faced the challenges of competing at huge national contests, tough workouts leading up to the contest, and late nights of preparation. Congratulations to the team members, coaches and leaders on a very successful horse judging season.
Interested in joining a 4-H horse judging team? Reach out to your local Michigan State University Extension office to find the horse and pony project clubs in your area. If you already have a club and are interested in learning more about these contests, go to the 4-H Horses & Ponies website for more information about upcoming contests and programs and mark your calendars for the 2026 Michigan 4-H and FFA State Horse Judging contest on Saturday, April 11, 2026!
