Illinois 4-H team takes third place at national competition

Illinois 4-H placed third out of 22 teams at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Hippology Contest held Nov. 3 at the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville, Ky. 

Dana Daugherty Taylor, a Macon County 4-H alumna, coached the team. 

The contest featured four phases. Illinois placed third in the hands-on stations, fourth in the written exam and team problem solving and ninth in live judging to take the third place award. 

Members of the national team included Gwen Klinkey of Kane County, Katelyn Hamilton of Randolph County, Audrey DeRossett of Union County, and Hannah Haney of Saline County. 

DeRossett placed 11th overall, seventh in stations and in the top 20 on the written test. 

Hamilton finished 11th in judging and in the top 15 in judging. 

Haney finished 10th in the station phase. Klinkey finished in the top 15 on the written test.

“The Eastern National 4-H Roundup was an amazing learning experience,” DeRossett shared in a news release from 4-H. 

“Not only have I become a more knowledgeable horse owner, but I have gained valuable life skills. After college I plan to attend law school, so public speaking and teamwork are extremely valuable skills to have.”

The Illinois 4-H Foundation supports the team in national competition. Debra Hagstrom, University of Illinois Extension equine specialist, oversees the 4-H equine program.