BARTON — Young horse enthusiasts from across the Northeast Kingdom and beyond gathered at the Orleans County Fairgrounds for the 2025 Northeast Region 4-H Horsemanship Clinic and Show from June 20-22.
The three-day event featured fitting and showmanship instruction, English and Western riding lessons, drill team practice and general knowledge contests. Participants camped overnight with their horses and demonstrated their skills at Sunday’s horse show for family and friends.
The Kingdom Hoofbeats 4-H Club of Derby Line earned the best overall score for stable management, evaluating cleanliness of stalls, tidiness of tack rooms and condition of equipment. The club also received recognition for its drill team performance set to music, with each rider receiving a special rosette ribbon.
LeighAnn Judd of Wolcott, a member of the Blazing Bridles 4-H Club in Caledonia County, received the Shelby Noyes Sportsmanship Award. The award honors the memory of Shelby, a member of the South Kirby Hilltoppers 4-H Club who died in 2002 at age 12 from horse accident injuries.
Winners in fitting and showmanship classes included Carlie Rondeau of Newport (Senior), Piper Parsons of Derby (Junior), Quinn Charest of Derby Line (Advanced Beginner), Devin Davidson of Barnet (Beginner), Breeana Garcia of Woodsville, New Hampshire (Basic Beginner), and Gabriella Morin of Hyde Park (Leadline).
In senior 4-H project classes, Kassie Koehler of Derby placed first, followed by Abby Shelp of Derby in second, Carlie Rondeau of Newport in third, and Jenesy Zwart of Danville in fourth.
General knowledge competitions awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. Among seniors, Jenesy Zwart of Danville earned gold, Carlie Rondeau of Newport silver, and Kassie Koehler of Derby bronze.
The clinic was sponsored by the Northeast Region 4-H Horse Committee and organized by University of Vermont Extension 4-H Educators Lindy Birch and Holly Ferris. Tractor Supply Company in Newport donated shavings for the event.
For more information about 4-H in Caledonia and Lamoille Counties, contact Holly Ferris at (802) 656-7562. For Essex and Orleans Counties, contact Lindy Birch at (802) 656-7572.
