BROOKINGS — SDSU Extension 4-H members won the 2024 National 4-H Horse Classic Western Division High Overall Award in January through their combined efforts at the Western National Roundup.

It was a strong showing for SDSU Extension 4-H members, including a grand champion finish for Delaney Zoss from Sanborn County, who won the horse division’s individual demonstration for her talk on equine color genetics.

“This has been a goal on my radar for a while and to accomplish it is very meaningful, especially since you only get one shot. Once you attend the Western National Roundup in a contest, you can’t go back in that area again,” Zoss said.

In the horse team demonstration, Hope Baysinger and Bailey Feistner, also from Sanborn County, won reserve champion for their speech, “If the Shoe Fits, Hooftastic Things Happen.”

The hippology team placed fourth overall, as did the horse judging team, and the horse quiz bowl team placed seventh. In the livestock division, the 4-H livestock judging team placed 14th.

Held annually in Denver, the roundup features 4-H and FFA contests in public speaking, livestock judging and knowledge tests. Competitors earn their spots at the national contest by placing at state 4-H competitions held throughout the summer.

“The combined efforts of all the horse competitors from South Dakota resulted in them taking home the 2024 National 4-H Horse Classic Western Division High Overall State Award,” said Audra Scheel, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Sanborn and Jerauld-Buffalo counties. “We applaud the hard work of these young individuals and commend their dedication and commitment toward their passion.”

For the horse classic, 4-H members can compete in horse-specific public speaking, judging, quiz bowl and hippology.

Abby Kolousek of Jerauld-Buffalo counties, Cash Martinez of Hutchinson County, Bailey Fairbanks of Tripp County and Elle Goehring of Hutchinson County represented South Dakota in hippology, which tests equine knowledge through individual and team questions. The team members completed a written exam, hands-on identification stations, horse judging and a team problem. As a team, they placed third in the written exam, fourth in the stations, fourth in judging and second in the team problem.

Competing on the horse judging team were Alexis Roesler of Jerauld-Buffalo counties, Paxton Dubbelde of Turner County, Anna Johnson of Brown County and Lila Stutzman of Bon Homme County. Team members evaluated 10 classes of horses and provided four sets of reasons. They placed fifth in halter, sixth in performance and seventh in reasons.

The quiz bowl team consisted of Josie Nold of Brookings County, and Hayden Talsma, Elyse Torsney and Tarynn Torsney of Bon Homme County. Quiz bowl teams compete head-to-head through various rounds of questions related to the equine industry and project.

South Dakota’s 4-H Livestock Judging team featured Quentin Berg and Landen Berg of Hanson County, Patrick Kralicek of Yankton County and Carissa Scheel of Jerauld-Buffalo counties. They judged 12 classes, including sheep, goats, cattle and hogs, and provided six sets of oral reasons. The team earned 10th place in sheep, 10th in goats, eighth in reasons and 14th overall.

“Not very many youth have the opportunity to attend national contests like this, let alone receive a placing. Our members understood the significance of this opportunity and put their knowledge and talents to work to make the most of it,” said Sami Nordmann, SDSU Extension 4-H livestock program manager. “These teams have put in countless hours of practice and studying to prepare for this contest, and it is incredible to see that hard work pay off for them.”