2023

The 2023 4-H Horse Awards Night, held Oct. 27, recognized top achievements at the Lancaster County Super Fair and other accomplishments throughout the past year. The theme was “Riding the Waves.” The evening's event was MC'd by Tim Higgins and pledges led by the Star City Cornhuskers 4-H club.

2023 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 Walk/Trot — Shiloh Braunsroth, JoAnna Gall, Clarity James
  • Level I — Fiona Brokering, Maya Dickes, Reagan Dinger, Aleese Jurgens, Katelyn Lightbody, Elsie Maranville, Lillie McHenry, Thomas McHenry, Gracie Mittan-DeBuhr, Reese Pillard, Nina Roberts, Paige Schmickrath, Isla Strasburger, Remington Tate, Braylee Thompson
  • Level II — Thaxton Bourek, Maya Dickes, Hollynn Hudson, Lauren Johnson, Renae Mansfield, Lillie McHenry, Gracie Mittan-DeBuhr, Nina Roberts, Ava Schepers, Evelynn Smith, Isla Strasburger, Braylee Thompson, Lucy Wacker, Lily Wood
  • Level III — Shea Frink, Anne Hastings, Lauren Johnson, Taeva Taylor, Braylee Thompson
  • Level IV — Liz Funk, Addison Gropp, Morgan Roof

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.

  • Silver Level (minimum of 225 hours or points) — Liz Boshart, Easton Byrne, Brogen Frink, Lena Gropp, Meg LaPlante, Addisyn Lorenson, Gracie Mittan-DeBuhr, Max Roberts
  • Gold Level (minimum of 390 hours or points, and completed horse record book) — Corrine Byrne, Gracen Byrne, Makenna Coe, Maya Dickes, Kiara Eppenbach, Shea Frink, Addison Gropp, Claira Heinzle, Lyra Krutak, Amelia Proffitt, Taylor Root, Ava Smith, Ava Wharton, Lily Wood

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

  • Top Incentive Stories — Gracen Byrne, Makenna Coe, Kiara Eppenbach, Addison Gropp, Lena Gropp, Meg LaPlante, Gracie Mittan-DeBuhr, Amelia Proffitt, Ava Wharton, Lily Wood
  • Top Incentive Notebooks — Makenna Coe, Kiara Eppenbach, Addisyn Lorenson, Ava Wharton, Lily Wood
  • Top Advancement Level — Braylee Thompson

TOP AWARDS

  • Bluestem All-Around Miniature Horse Award for high point 4-H miniature horse and youth pair in two age divisions at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by the Bluestem Miniature Horse Club — Senior: Kiara Eppenbach (horse “Country View Dell Tera Captain”); Junior: Ava Schepers (horse “Loomis Smarty Jones”)
  • High Score Dressage Rider Awards for high score riders in the 4-H Dressage Show in both the dressage classes and the western dressage classes at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by Nebraska Dressage Association — high score dressage riders: Paige Schmickrath (champion) and Maya Dickes (reserve champion); high score western riders: Hannah Munk (champion) and Makenna Coe (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 — Callahn Robinson
  • Top NRHA Reining Awards for highest NRHA pattern score in each age division at the Lancaster County Super Fair 4-H Reining competition, sponsored by Dr. Kelly Stich — Senior: Scarlett Battles (horse “Baby Step Up Your Whiz”); Junior: Taeva Taylor (horse “Merrys Mocha Kid”); Elementary: Xavyer Bourek (horse “Haint She Foxy”)
  • Top Trail Award for all-around champion of the Lancaster County Super Fair 4-H Trail obstacle class, sponsored by Dick and the late Cookie Confer — Caraline Higgins
  • Franklyn Manning All-Around Barrels Award for fastest time in the Lancaster County Super Fair 4-H Barrel Racing competition, sponsored by Brad and Susan Frink — Lillie Beach (horse “DHR Dark Lady”)
  • All-Around Cowboy/Cowgirl Award — age division awards for most total points scored from specified classes at the Lancaster County Super Fair — Senior: Shea Frink; Junior: Drake Plautz; Elementary: Braylee Thompson
  • All-Around Ranch Horse Awards — age division awards for All-Around Ranch Horse at the Lancaster County Super Fair, sponsored by Olive Creek Acres Performance Horses — Senior: Scarlett Battles (horse “Baby Step Up Your Whiz”); Junior: Drake Plautz (horse “Leo Down Joe”)
  • Wilhelmina Wittstruck Memorial All-Around Champion Award for Lancaster County Super Fair all-around 4-H champion individual, sponsored by Joan and the late Dwayne Wittstruck — Lily Wood

JUDGING CONTEST

The Horse Judging Contest (a Lancaster County Super Fair 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 buckle.

  • Senior Division: Faith Oldemeyer (champion), Sydney Docter (reserve champion), Dillon Docter (3rd), Amelia Proffitt (4th), Claire Polk (5th)
  • Junior Division: Max Roberts (champion), Lily Wood (reserve champion), Kiara Eppenbach (3rd), Maria Polk (4th), Katy Weaver (5th), Greta Rogers (6th)
  • Elementary Division: Gracie Mittan-DeBuhr (champion), Lena Gropp (reserve champion), Josie Polk (3rd)

HERDSMANSHIP

The herdsmanship contest during the Lancaster County Super Fair evaluates five areas: condition of the animals, stalls, alley ways, 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 led by Mindi Clarke (champion), Hunters Pride 4-H Club led by Rebecca Robinett (reserve champion)
  • Small Clubs: Silver Spurs 4-H Club led by Kim Bowen (champion), Rusty Spurs 4-H Club led by Amy & JJ Frink (reserve champion)
  • Independent: Remington Tate (champion), JoAnna Gall (reserve champion)

STALL DECORATIONS

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

  • Large Clubs: Tails N’ Trails 4-H Club led by Kelsey Ebke (champion), Mighty Lopers 4-H Club led by Mindi Clarke (reserve champion)
  • Small Clubs: Silver Spurs 4-H Club led by Kim Bowen (champion), Boots N' Hooves 4-H Club led by Teresa Brandt (reserve champion)
  • Independent: Kamree Leader (champion)

4-H Horse Awards Night Results