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Photos from Awards Night:

• Star Spangled Saddles and The Lucky Lopers 4-H clubs distribute programs
• South Prairie Wranglers 4-H club lead the pledges
• State Judging Team (which earned Reserve Champion) thank coach Roger Bell
• The 2010 4-H Horse Knowledge Teams thank Extension Associate Marty Cruickshank for outstanding performance and numerous hours devoted to Lancaster County 4-H
• 4-H volunteer Stephanie Wachter presents flowers to Extension Associate Marty Cruickshank for being honored in the “Outstanding Women” category at the recent YWCA’s Tribute to Women
• Tammy Greenlee, 4-H volunteer, gave a short presentation on “What 4-H Means to Me.”

Special Recognition (photos above)

• Not Afraid to Try Something New Award -- Kenzy and Aubrey Hayes
• Outstanding Achievement in Western Pleasure -- Blake Preston and “Bill”
• Roll Up Your Sleeves and Git-R-Done Award -- Megan Latture
• Making the Best Better -- Olivia Wheeler
• Most Improved Rider -- Jena Wilson
• Best Breeds Paper -- Jacob Ronnau
• President’s Volunteer Service Award -- Erika Warner

Top Sportsmanship Awards -- Kaitlyn Hurdle, Hannah Ronnau, Capital City Bit & Bridle 4-H Club [PHOTO]

2011 State Horse Exposition Champions -- Ashley Anderson, Chelsea Beach, McKenzie Beach, Brooke Bennett, Vanessa Butterfield, Elli Dearmont, Ivy Dearmont, Elizabeth Frobish, Anna Heusinger, Alyssa Heusinger, Josh Krueger, Candace Lahners, Rhonda Lewis, McKenzie Merritt, Reagan Myers, Sierra Nelson, Bailee Peters, Bailey Peterson, Blake Preston, Jessie Smith, Kate Rawlinson, Bailee Sobotka, Bailey Vogler, Heather Welch, Lexi Wolfe, Mackenzie Wolfe [PHOTO]

2011 State Horse Stampede Champion and Reserve Champions -- Brooke Bennett, Elizabeth Boender, Elli Dearmont, Ivy Dearmont, Elizabeth Frobish, Justine Gall, Sarinia Kyne, Ben Luedtke, Megan Luedtke, Reagan Myers, Cory Peters, Kate Rawlinson, Ian Schuster, Erika Warner, Kenzie Wolfe, Lexi Wolfe [PHOTO]

4-H & FFA Western Nationals held in Denver, Colo. -- Elli Dearmont and Hannah Ronnau (team demonstration -- national champions), Hippology team: Maria Luedtke, Cory Peters, Ian Schuster and Erika Warner (3rd high team overall in the nation). Overall, Nebraska placed second in the nation (Lancaster teams, along with Douglas/Sarpy quiz bowl team and Cumming/Burt judging team). [PHOTO]

National All American Quarter Horse Congress held in Columbus, Ohio -- Elli Dearmont and Hannah Ronnau (team demonstration -- 2nd place), Cory Peters (individual demonstration -- 4th place), Judging team: Elli Dearmont, Megan Luedtke, Bailee Peters and Hannah Ronnau (11th high team overall)

4-H Horse Project Advancement Levels

The Nebraska 4-H Horse Program advancement levels are designed to serve as guides for instruction and to evaluate each members progress. The correct handling of horses is emphasized from the beginning level to the most advanced level. 81 Lancaster County 4-H’ers achieved a new level of horsemanship this year. Five horsemanship levels were recognized: Walk/Trot, Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV! Each level is a huge accomplishment.

Walk-Trot Level -- Trinity Bohaty, Grace Bozak, Jillian Brummer, Kieran Burkey, Ashley Clegg, Jennifer Daharsh, Desiree Davis, Abby Eilers, Justine Gall, Aubrey Hayes, Braeland Jones, Lauren Kelley, Brieanna Kroeger, Harper Lawson, Elizabeth Long, Sarah Malina, Amanda Ochsner, Joshua Ronnau, Mazzii Snyder, Emma Sondergeroth, Jaiden Stonacek, Sriyani Wasson, Eli Wegrzyn, Thaddeus Wegrzyn [PHOTO]

Level I -- Morgan Applegarth, Madison Duran, Leah Egeberg, Alyssa Fisbeck, Averie Frye, Kayla Grote, Megan Hansen, Alie Hausman, Shane Humphrey, Aubrey Kelley, Hailee Lynn, Kamryn Pekarek, Shelby Polk, Isaiah Pomajzl, Jacob Ronnau, Ian Schuster, Makenna Sheldon, Emma Sondergeroth, Olivia Wennstedt [PHOTO]

Level II -- Michael Anderson, Morgan Applegarth, Ashley Bradbury, Emma Bueling, Ivy Dearmont, Jamie Hansen, Rachael Hansen, Aubrey Heusinger, Hailey Hula, Travis Hula, Kaitlyn Hurdle, Eunhye Kim, Katlyn Kimmen, Jordan Lebsack, Logan McDonald, Elizabeth Norton, Sarah Peeks, Elizabeth Robinett, Jacob Ronnau, Brianna Sander, Jenna Wolfe [PHOTO]

Level III -- Ashley Anderson, Vanessa Butterfield, Anna Hershberger, Abbie Heusinger, Kaitlyn Hurdle, Becky Hutchins, McKenzie Merritt, Natalie Nason, Sierra Nelson, Kaitlyn Papke, Blake Preston, Alexis Wolfe [PHOTO]

Level IV -- Josie Ang, Abbie Heusinger, Kaitlyn Hurdle, Kate Rawlinson, Hannah Ronnau [PHOTO]

“This year is an outstanding year for the Lancaster County 4-H Horse Program. Five youth riders achieved the top level of Nebraska 4-H Horsemanship -- the Level IV. Very few riders achieve this elite level -- these are horsemen! Lancaster County has had three youth achieve this in the past 10 years, and now five in one year! This doesn’t just happen, it takes a community of talented kids, supportive parents, and dedicated adult leaders. The riding requirements include, among other things, a two track to the right and left at a walk, at a jog/trot and at a lope/canter. Western riders are required to do a roll back, English riders a serpentine with at least five turns at a rising trot, changing diagonals, and at a canter with simple lead changes. Both disciplines are required to complete flying lead changes on a straightaway at a collected lope/canter. These are difficult requirements. Riders must complete all with a high level of proficiency. Congratulations to this year’s Level IV horsemen!” -- Marty Cruickshank, Extension Associate

Horse Incentive Awards

4-H’ers logged the hours they spent working with or learning about horses. The more hours invested, the more valuable the reward! This year, 82 4-H’ers participated.

Bronze Level (minimum of 100 hours) -- Ethan Ang, Ellie Blake, Trinity Bohaty, Tanner Clagett, Caidell Davis, Desi Davis, Abby Eilers, Mia Hermanson, Alyssa Heusinger, Ellie Hula, Travis Hula, Braeland Jones, Sarina Kyhn, Ben Luedtke, Elizabeth Norton, Spencer Peters, Olivia Wheeler, Alyia Whitehall [PHOTO]

Silver Level (minimum of 183 hours) -- Josie Ang, Mikaela Carstens, Morgan Chipps, Caitlin Davis, Elli Dearmont, Ivy Dearmont, Allison Densberger, Nicole Finkner, Megan Hansen, Aubrey Hayes, Kenzy Hayes, Abbie Heusinger, Anna Heusinger, Audrey Heusinger, Hailey Hula, Lauren Kelley, Kelsie Koch, Katharine Kramer, Jordan Lebsack, Elizabeth Long, Alyssa Loudon, Megan Luedtke, Tony Masinelli, Kenzie Mayer, Nicole McConnell, Nicole Oestmann, Bailey Peterson, Jacob Ronnau, Joshua Ronnau, Brianna Sander, Emma Somdgeroth, Jadin Vogler, Bethany Wachter, Erika Warner, Heather Welch, Mikayla Whaley, Jena Wilson, Alexis Wolfe, Jenna Wolfe, Kenzie Wolfe, Emmaly Wright [PHOTO]

Gold Level (minimum of 366 hours and completed horse record book) -- Brooke Bennett, Vanessa Butterfield, Marissa Carlson, Ashley Densberger, Kathleen Duncan, Emily Flanagin, Elizabeth Frobish, Justine Gall, Kaitlyn Hurdle, Aubrey Kelley, Eunhye Kim, Katlyn Kimmen, Bryanna Loudon, Sierra Nelson, Sarah Peeks, Kate Rawlinson, Hannah Ronnau, Bailee Sobotka, Madison Sobotka, Bailey Vogler [PHOTO]

Judging Awards

The Horse Judging Contest at the Lancaster County Fair emphasizes how much 4-H members know about horses as they judge four or more classes of horses. Senior division participants also give oral reasons.

Elementary Division -- Jacob Ronnau (Champion), Madison Sobotka (Reserve Champion), Lauren Kelley, Hailey Hula, Jenna Wolfe, Makenzie Mayer, Ethan Ang, Katelyn Wolf, Brieanna Kroeger, Katelyn Millerr [PHOTO]

Junior Division -- Bailey Peterson (Champion), Josie Ang (Reserve Champion), Sydney Scow, Anna Heusinger, Ashley Bradbury, Ivy Dearmont, Mikaela Carstens, Kate Rawlinson, Kathleen Duncan, Bailee Sobotka [PHOTO]

Senior Division -- Hannah Ronnau (Champion), Elli Dearmont (Reserve Champion), Megan Luedtke, Aiden Graybill, Erika Warner, Ian Schuster, Brittany Albers, Ashley Densberger, Blake Preston, Abbie Heusinger [PHOTO]

Horse Course Challenge Results

The Horse Course Challenge is a Lancaster County Super Fair 4-H contest.

Elementary Division -- Lucy Polk (Champion), Bethany Wachter (Reserve Champion), Jenna Wolfe, Ashley Clegg, Sarinia Kyhn, Abigail Clarke, Madelaine Polk, Kristin Loudon, Hailey Hula, Dani Drbal [PHOTO]

Junior Division -- Kate Rawlinson (Champion), Justine Gall (Reserve Champion), Alexis Wolfe, Bailey Sobotka, Ivy Dearmont, Emily Clarke, Josie Ang, Spencer Peters, Sarah Peeks, Mikayla Whaley [PHOTO]

Senior Division -- Elli Dearmont (Champion), Hannah Ronnau (Reserve Champion), Megan Luedtke, Brooke Bennett, Ian Schuster, Erika Warner, Nicole Finkner, Bailey Heidtbrink, Hailey Pointer, Ben Luedtke [PHOTO]

Super Fair Herdsmanship & Decoration Awards

Top Herdsmanship - Small Club -- Viken Riders [PHOTO]

Top Herdsmanship - Large Club -- Western Pride [PHOTO]

Best Decorations -- Harmony Hill [PHOTO]

Decorations - Independent Members: 1st place -- Nicole Finkner 2nd Place -- Makenzie Mayer [PHOTO]

All-Around Awards

All-Around Trail

Dick and Cookie Confer Top Trail Award for all-around champion of the Lancaster County Fair 4-H Trail obstacle class -- Chelsea Beach. [PHOTO]

All-Around Barrels

Franklyn Manning Family Trophy for fastest time in the Lancaster County Fair 4-H Barrel racing competition -- Kaitlyn Papke. [PHOTO]

All-Around Cowboy/Cowgirl

Three age division awards for Lancaster County Super Fair All-Around Cowboy/Cowgirl are sponsored by Lonsum Pine Farm/Myron Ang Family. [PHOTO]

Elementary Division -- Jadin Vogler

Junior Division -- Bailey Vogler

Senior Division -- Josh Krueger

Wittstruck All-Around Champion: Wilhelmina Wittstruck Memorial Award for Lancaster County Super Fair All-Around 4-H Champion Individual --Bailey Peterson [PHOTO]