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Simon’s Arena, Cannon Falls, MN (Sept 5-9, 2025) Stearns County Fairgrounds, Sauk Centre (Sept. 13-14, 2025) – 4-H youth from Murray County participated in the Minnesota 4-H State Horse show Sept. 5-9, 2025 and Sept. 13-14, 2025. This year, over 645 youth from across the state participated in the annual event. 4-H’ers demonstrate their skills and knowledge in hippology (showing knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry), horse judging (study of an animal, measuring it against an accepted ideal), horse training and achievement, speech and demonstrations about interest in horses or the horse industry, miniature horse and drill team skills along with all of the competitive horse riding events.
Youth who participate in the Minnesota 4-H Horse Project learn about show and trail; test their horse knowledge at quiz bowls or on judging teams, and study horse science. Youth may participate if they own or lease a horse. There are even options for youth who are interested in horses, but don’t have access to one in their community.
“Through the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show, youth build communications skills, gain deeper learning and interest in horses, and build relationships with caring adults,” said Renee Kostick, Extension Educator who manages the 4-H horse project in Minnesota. “These experiences contribute to their success in school, community, and futures.”
The following youth were members of the Murray County delegation: State Horse Show
Morgan Heezen: Hunt Seat Pleasure (Grade 7) - 6th place; Showmanship - Western (Grade 7) - 2nd place; Trail Class (Grades 6-7) - 8th place; Western Pleasure (Grade 7) 5th place; Western Horsemanship (Grade 7) - 4th place.
Jada Jackels: Hunt Seat Pleasure (Grade 6) - 2nd place; Trail Class (Grades 6-7) 4th place; Western Pleasure (Grade 6) 4th place.
Hippology/Speech-Demo/ Horse Related/Horseless Horse Judging Team Results - 2nd Overall: Class Placings - 1st; Oral Reasons - 3rd Individual Judging (Top 10): Overall - Jada -6th, Carli - 8th; Class Placings - Jada - 4th, Jensen - 7th, Devin - 10th; Reasons: Morgan - 6th, Carli - 9th Hippology Team - 4th Overall: Judging: 1st; Team Problem - 4th; Exam - 3rd; Stations - 4th Hippology Individual (Top 10): Overall: Morgan - 7th, Carli - 8th; Class Placings: Jensen - 1st, Jada - 7th, Devin - 9th; Exam: Morgan - 7th, Carli - 8th; Stations: Morgan - 5th Results: To learn more about Minnesota 4-H Horse Project, contact local extension educator Kim Hause, at (507) 836-1144 and visit the website, https://z.umn. edu/4HorseProject.
About Extension 4-H: 4-H is a youth development program of the University of Minnesota Extension. Available for youth grades K-1 year after high school, 4-H’ers participate in hands-on learning experiences in STEM, citizenship & leadership, animal science, creative arts and much more. Through this learn-by-doing process, youth obtain essential life skills such as problem solving, decision making, coping and communicating that help them succeed in their school, college, community and career. Research shows that youth who participate in 4-H have better grades and are more emotionally engaged with school, are more than twice as likely to be civically active and contribute to their communities, and are 47% less likely to have risky or problem behaviors.
