Full Release
Updated by Allison Perkins, UGA Extension, Bartow County 4-H Agent
The State 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl contest brought teams from across Georgia together on Saturday, January 17 for a spirited match in which buzzers were hot and stakes were high. Coweta County’s senior team took home first place and Josiah Benjamin, Brielle Foster, Olivia Miklosovic, Miranda Odom, and Peyton Sanders became the newest Master 4-H’ers in the Georgia 4-H program.
Horse Quiz Bowl is one of Georgia 4-H’s dozens of agriculturally based programs that are offered to youth with the goal of providing educational experiences that equip participants for their future as citizens and stewards of the planet. Contestants prepare by studying industry-standard handbooks on equine health, history, management, and care. Participating 4-H’ers gain a practical understanding of equine science and principles of horse management applicable to enhancing horse ownership or other equine related activities.
The contest takes place in a fast-paced quiz bowl style that places teams in brackets with double elimination. Thirteen junior teams and six senior teams competed at the State Contest in Eatonton, GA. Junior teams are made up of youth from 4th grade to 8th grade and senior teams are 9th through 12th grade 4-H’ers; the winners of senior-level state competitions become Master 4-H’ers.
The first-place junior team from Coweta County Team A included Emeryn Foster, Macie Jeffords, Addelyn Masters, and Abby Scott.
The equine industry has a $2.5 billion impact on Georgia’s economy in an average year. The Horse Quiz Bowl program connects students with leading veterinarians and industry specialists as they prepare to compete. These impactful relationships facilitate the successful future of this important part of Georgia agriculture. Participants and their parents gain access to valuable information that can improve their equine operations.
Kate Whiting, Georgia 4-H Animal Science Specialist for Equine and Poultry states, “4-H Horse Quiz Bowl is one of many events offered by our Animal Science Department that allows youth to increase their knowledge of the equine industry. Programs like Quiz Bowl enable youth to be a part of a team that builds life skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and decision making through species specific topics. Knowledge and skills gained in this event provide long term benefits for youth in Georgia.”
Other winners in the contest include second place senior team from Oglethorpe County with team members Haleigh Baker, Dosie Blount, Hannah Boyd, Abby Gabriel, Annalea Tillman; third place senior team from Houston County with team members Emma Beecher, Haley Coleman, Makenna Wood, Lucy Lee; second place junior team from Coweta County Team B with team members Millie Boyle, Addi Floyd, Kate Hanson, Ava Lyle, Moon Peckett; and third place junior team from Grady County Team A with team members Everleigh Costner, Danna Garcia, Dalton Hatcher, Joshua Starling.
Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the premier youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.
For more information about how to get involved with Horse Quiz Bowl and Georgia 4-H, contact your local University of Georgia County Extension Office or visit www.georgia4h.org.