Ty Guthrie, a member of Clutier Cowboys and Cowgirls 4-H Club, pictured at Equine Extravaganza held this year at Ellsworth Community College Equestrian Center in Iowa Falls April 12-14. Guthrie received multiple awards including four first place finishes. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

IOWA FALLS – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach held a three-day Equine Extravaganza at the Ellsworth Community College Equestrian Center in Iowa Falls April 12-14. Ty Guthrie, a member of Clutier Cowboys and Cowgirls 4-H Club in Tama County participated.

The Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program helped organize this event for nearly 110 youth in grades 3-12.

“This event allowed youth to showcase and demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matters in various competitions and participatory (events) where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail,” said Lisa Berkland, 4-H youth development specialist.

“Depending on the event, youth could choose to participate individually and as part of a team,” explained Peggy Auwerda, equine specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Team events assist youth with developing social skills, cooperation, integrity and sportsmanship as they become comfortable working alongside others toward a common goal.”

In the competitions, 75 youth in grades 4-12 participated. Competitions included hippology, horse judging, horse quiz bowl, presentations and public speaking. In the participatory events, 32 youth in grades 3-12 provided 46 horseless horse items for evaluation. Participatory events included creative writing, digital storytelling, woodworking, 3-D art, scrapbooking, poster, painting, drawing, photography and model horse.

Tama County’s Guthrie received many honors including ninth place in senior horse judging (individual); second place in senior horse judging (team); first place in Senior Quiz Bowl (team); first place Senior poem; first place Senior short story; and first place in Senior Photography. Senior division winners in horse judging, hippology, quiz bowl, public speaking and individual demonstrations are invited to represent Iowa 4-H at the Eastern National Roundup in Louisville, Ky this November.

For more information about the Equine Extravaganza, please contact Celine Beggs-Shoemaker at cmbeggs@iastate.edu or visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/equineextravaganza.