ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia 4-H organized the 2020 state horse educational competition for 55 youth in a virtual format this year. This competition was previously linked with the Georgia 4-H state horse show hosted at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia, which was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the event, youth competed in various educational contests such as individual demonstration, public speaking, photography, painting, drawing and essay. Participants are divided into grade divisions to compete against their peer groups. Seniors include grades nine through 12, juniors include grades seven and eight, and Cloverleaf includes grades four through six. All educational competitions were judged online by a committee of industry experts and youth development professionals.
“Going through the process of researching, planning and creating the various presentations for competition are life skills worth refining and facilitates success in many areas of life,” said Julia McCann, equine outreach coordinator in the University of Georgia Department of Animal and Dairy Science. “We are proud of all the youth entered in the 2020 educational contests.”
Through Georgia 4-H’s horse program, youth learn life skills including leadership, teamwork and problem solving. In addition, they develop character traits of responsibility, discipline and respect. For this competition, horse ownership is not a requirement.
The winners of the 2020 4-H state horse educational competition are:
Individual Demonstration Contest
Senior — Sophia Merka, Elbert County
Junior — Avery Pruett, Coweta County
Cloverleaf — Nate Albertson, Elbert County
Public Speaking Contest
Senior — Katherine Muldrew, Bulloch County
Horse Drawing Contest
Senior — Juliette McKinley, Paulding County
Junior — Emma Bayer, Cobb County
Cloverleaf — Claire Lummus, Coweta County
Horse Painting Contest
Senior — Katherine Muldrew, Bulloch County
Junior — Emma Bayer, Cobb County
Cloverleaf — Brooklyn Castillo, Carrroll County
Horse Essay Contest
Senior — Katherine Muldrew, Bulloch County
Junior — Emma Bayer, Cobb County
Cloverleaf — Elise Wilson, Pulaski County
Horse Photography Contest
Senior — Emma Albertson, Elbert County
Junior — Avery Pruett, Coweta County
Cloverleaf — Claire Lummus, Coweta County
For more information about Georgia 4-H’s horse program, visit georgia4h.org/horse.
Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 242,000 people annually through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Extension office by visiting extension.uga.edu/county-offices.
–Cristina deRevere, Georgia 4-H