2026

Horse Awards Night Results

A group of kids and teens holding certificates, standing and sitting in front of a backdrop with 4-H logos
Horsemanship Level I recipients

 

The 2026 4-H Horse Awards Night, held Oct. 15, recognized top achievements at the Lancaster County Super Fair and other accomplishments throughout the past year. The theme was “Saluting Our Stars — Both 2 Legged and 4!” The evening’s event was emceed by Tim Higgins. 

Evelynn Smith, who won the Wittstruck Memorial All-Around Champion award said, “Winning this award means more to me than can ever be said. Though 4-H is not always about the trophies and ribbons, it is the chance to show in 4 minutes the hours of dedication that I put into horses behind the scenes. In this program, you take chances and make connections that change your life. I have tried many disciplines that I have never thought to consider, and it has allowed me to find my passions and learn to put my all into everything I do. I am always grateful for these opportunities and cannot wait to see what comes next.”

Congratulations to all Lancaster County 4-H equestrians for your outstanding accomplishments!

2026 Horse Awards Photos on Flickr

HORSEMANSHIP ADVANCEMENT LEVELS

The Nebraska 4-H Horsemanship Advancement Levels program is designed to serve as a guide for instruction and evaluation of each member’s progress. The correct handling of horses is emphasized from the beginning level to the most advanced level. Each level is a huge accomplishment.

  • Level I Ground — Emmie Anderjaska
  • Level I Walk/Trot — Sophie Anderjaska, Lucia Chevalier, Alexis Else, Lucy Nathan, Aurora Norris, Conner Zade
  • Level I — Sienna Borovac, Norah Clauss, Adyson Cole, Mira Ehrlich, Tristan Ewell, Troy Fox, Ally Goedert, Ruby Keller, Teresa LaPlante, Sylvie Lozier, Lola Pederson, Vivian Rathje, Reese Roeber, Emma Smith, Mara Smith, Laura Sneddeker, Annabelle Zade 
  • Level II — Madelyn Becker, Saylor Desautels, Adyson Cole, Russo Faller, Gwen Johnson, Sylvie Lozier, Lola Pederson, Ava Rathje, Emma Smith, Remington Tate, Christina Zade, Samson Zade
  • Level III — Arianna Behrend, Camilla Macdissi, Reese Pillard
  • Level IV — Xavyer Bourek

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! The Horse Incentive Awards are sponsored by the Lancaster County 4-H Horse Volunteers in Program Service (VIPS) Committee.

  • Bronze Level (minimum of 100 hours or points) — Alexis Else, Amelia Proffitt, Laura Sneddeker
  • Silver Level (minimum of 225 hours or points) — Reagan Dinger, Saylor Desautels, Brogen Frink, Della Gropp, Camilla Macdissi, Emma Smith, Avery Stohs, Charlotte Wright, Emma Wright, Christina Zade
  • Gold Level (minimum of 390 hours or points, and completed horse record book) — Lena Barnes, Corrine Byrne, Easton Byrne, Gracen Byrne, Shea Frink, Lena Gropp, Aleese Jurgens, Lyra Krutak, Meg LaPlante, Teresa LaPlante, MacKenzie McCoy, Gracie Mittan-DeBuhr, Aurora Norris, Olivia Thompson

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

  • Top Incentive Stories — Lena Gropp, Aleese Jurgens, Teresa LaPlante, Camilla Macdissi, MacKenzie McCoy, Aurora Norris, Olivia Thompson
  • Top Incentive Notebooks — Saylor Desautels, Lena Gropp, Camilla Macdissi, Aurora Norris, Emma Smith, Olivia Thompson

HORSE SPECIAL AWARDS FOR SUPER FAIR

The Lancaster County Super Fair has the largest 4-H county fair horse show in the state, with 41 events spanning 5 days. Several Horse Special Awards recognize top winners which are announced at Horse Awards Night. Special thanks to the sponsors of these awards who help put a spotlight on these youth!

  • Top Trail Award — for the all-around champion with the highest score of the Lancaster County Super Fair 4-H Trail obstacle competition, sponsored by the Higgins Family — Kayla Isaacs
  • All-Around Cowboy/Cowgirl Awards — all-around champions in three age divisions for most total points scored from specified classes at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by the Lancaster County Horse VIPS Committee — Senior: Addison Gropp; Intermediate: Addisyn Lorenson; Junior: Thomas Chevalier
  • All-Around Ranch Horse Awards — age division awards for the horse/rider combination with the most points scored demonstrating the versatility of the working ranch horse in three categories at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by Olive Creek Acres Performance Horses (Brian, Shannon & Jadin Vogler) — Senior: Mason Raisch (horse “Flashin The Cash DR — Teddy”); Intermediate: Reagan Dinger (horse “Boone”)
  • Franklyn Manning All-Around Barrels Award — for the fastest time across all age groups in the Lancaster County Super Fair 4-H Barrel Racing competition, sponsored by Brad & Susan Frink, given in honor of the late Franklin Manning — Annie Illian (horse “Dashin Driftin Dillon”)
  • Bluestem All-Around Miniature Horse Awards — for high point 4-H miniature horse and 4-H member combination in two age divisions at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by Bluestem Miniature Horse Club — Senior: Kiara Eppenbach (horse “Captain”); Junior: Reese Roeber (horse “Aristocratic Whistlejacket”)
  • Nebraska Dressage Association High Score Dressage Rider and High Score Western Dressage Rider Awards — for the champion and reserve champion high score riders in the Dressage Show's dressage and western dressage classes at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by the Nebraska Dressage Association. Champion award winners will not be eligible for the same award in future years — high score dressage riders: Corrine Byrne (champion) and Elsie Maranville (reserve champion); high score western riders: Samson Zade (champion) and Shiloh Braunsroth (reserve champion)
  • Lowell Boomer High Point Jumping Award — for the all-around champion in the 4-H jumping classes at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by Hunter's Pride 4-H Club — Corrine Byrne
  • Dr. Kelly Stitch Top NRHA Reining Awards — for highest NRHA pattern score in each age division of the 4-H Reining competition at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by Dr. Kelly Stich — Senior: Mason Raisch (horse “Flashin The Cash DR — Teddy”); Intermediate: Evelynn Smith (horse “Whizkeys Hot Jewell”); Junior: John Chevalier (horse “Need A Star”)
  • All-Around Versatility Horse Award — for the most versatile horse/rider combination in the intermediate or senior age divisions at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by Brad & Susan Frink and Pam Schaaf. During the online entry process, 4-H members must indicate which four qualifying classes and which horse they will designate for the award. The 4-H member must use the same horse in these four categories listed: speed, hunter/equitation over fences, cattle classes and ranch horse pleasure — Violet Green (horse “Ghost Pepper”)
  • Wilhelmina Wittstruck Memorial All-Around Champion Award — for the Lancaster County Super Fair all-around 4-H champion individual, sponsored by Joan & the late Dwayne Wittstruck. The Wilhelmina Wittstruck Memorial award is the highest honor a Lancaster County 4-H equestrian can receive! Points are calculated from several categories, and exhibitors must indicate during the fair entry process which classes they designate for this award. A member may only win this award once in their 4-H career — Evelynn Smith

JUDGING CONTEST

The Lancaster County Super Fair Horse Judging Contest emphasizes how much 4-H members know about horse conformation as they judge four or more classes of horses, along with the opportunity to give oral reasons. The champion of each division receives a belt buckle.

  • Senior Division: Lena Barnes (champion), Shea Frink (reserve champion), Avery Stohs (3rd), Savannah Nordmeyer (4th), Elizabeth Funk (5th), Katy Weaver (6th)
  • Intermediate Division: Gracen Byrne (champion), Corrine Byrne (reserve champion), Lena Gropp (3rd), MacKenzie McCoy (4th), Olivia Thompson (5th)
  • Junior Division: Aurora Norris (champion), Reese Roeber (reserve champion)

HERDSMANSHIP

The Herdsmanship Contest during the Lancaster County Super Fair evaluates five areas: condition of the animals, stalls, alleyways, storage and teamwork or conduct of those participating in the contest. Good herdsmanship shows that they are taking pride in their projects, themselves and their clubs.

  • Large Clubs: Mighty Lopers 4-H Club (champion), Silver Spurs 4-H Club (reserve champion)
  • Small Clubs: The Hay Burners 4-H Club & Star City Cornhuskers 4-H Club (co-champions), Boots N’ Hooves  4-H Club & Tails N’ Trails (co-reserve champions)
  • Independent: Lucy Nathan (champion), Brooklyn Blunt (reserve champion)

STALL DECORATIONS

At the Lancaster County Super Fair, clubs and independent members take pride in decorating their horse stall areas.

  • Large Clubs: Salt Valley 4-H Club (champion), Mighty Lopers 4-H Club (reserve champion)
  • Small Clubs: Boots N’ Hooves (champion), Tails N’ Trails 4-H Club (reserve champion)
  • Independent: Lucy Nathan (champion), Brooklyn Blunt (reserve champion)