DuPage County Teen Wins National 4-H Hippology Contest

A 19-year-old Illinois 4-H member won the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Hippology Contest held Nov. 5 in Louisville, Ky. Aubrey Sieve completed her 4-H career with the contest, held as part of the North American International Livestock Expo.

“I am so grateful for my time in 4-H,” Sieve said. “It has taught me so much about the world and myself. Through the wins and losses, I am better because of my 4-H experience.”

Sieve is the daughter of Gail and Daniel Sieve of Lisle and a member of the Just Say Nay 4-H Club of DuPage County.

Sieve was part of the Illinois 4-H team which placed third of 19 teams in competition at the national 4-H contest. Also competing were Bailey Ricketts and Madde Klinkey, both of St. Charles; and Kaiti Collins of Carroll County.

The team also finished first in the judging phase of the contest, second in the stations phase, and fourth in the written exam phase of the contest.

Sieve was a steady competitor throughout each phase of the contest, placing first in the stations phase, fourth in the written exam, and sixth in the judging portion of the event out of 76 participants.

This was the teen’s third year to compete at the Eastern National. She placed in the top 10 with her team presentation in 2014, and placed fifth with the Horse Bowl team in 2015.

Klinkey finish eighth overall, placing ninth in judging, 10th in the written exam, and in the top 15 in stations. Klinkey said she was “blessed to have had the opportunity to learn and compete with these wonderful and talented people.”

Klinkey is the 17-year-old daughter of Sandy and Rob Klinkey of St. Charles and a member of the A Bit More 4-H Club.

Collins finished the day in 15th place, with a top 15 finish in stations. She is the 17-year-old daughter of Diane and Jeff Collins of Polo. She is a member of the Boots ‘N Spurs Equine Club and the Milledgeville Hotshots 4-H Clubs.

Collins acknowledged the work and dedication of her teammates. “There are no words to describe how thrilled I am to have been a part of this dynamic team,” Collins said. “We have spent countless hours working and studying our brains out all for this amazing opportunity; and it all paid off.”

Ricketts finished in 22nd place in the contest and excelled in the station division where she placed second. She had a top 15 finish in the written exam portion of the contest. Ricketts is the 18-year-old daughter of Julie and Jeff Ricketts of St. Charles and a member of the Y-Not 4-H Club.

“Hippology has taught me so much about hard work, teamwork, and confidence,” Ricketts said. “I'm proud of where my participation in the 4-H horse program has culminated, and incredibly honored to have worked with such gifted teammates.”

Debra Hagstrom, University of Illinois Extension equine specialist, oversees the state 4-H hippology program. The team was coached by 4-H alumna Dana Daugherty Taylor of Macon County. The Illinois 4-H Foundation provides financial support for the team at the national contest.

Kane County Teen Among Judging Contest Winners

At the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Judging Contest, the Illinois 4-H team placed third out of 23 teams at the North American International Livestock Expo. The team missed the first place ranking by only 13 of 1,950 possible points.

Competing were Bailey Wight of Bloomington, Courtney Wiedenmann of Mercer County, Erin LaKamp of Morgan County, and Elena Chapa of Kane County. The team finished first in the oral reasons, second in conformation and fourth in performance divisions.

Chapa, 16, is a member of the Y-Not 4-H Club of Kane County and is the daughter of Paul Chapa and Angela Stastny of Maple Park. The teen discussed the friendships gained through the intense 4-H training program.

“The girls within my team are some of the most amazing girls I have ever met, and I am so blessed to be able to grow friendships with them and to be able to call them family,” Chapa said. “Our success is just the icing on the cake for finishing out this wonderful year.”

Hagstrom also oversees the state 4-H horse judging program. The team was coached by Paul Rogers of Quincy who was a former 4-H member from Pope/Hardin counties. The Illinois 4-H Foundation provides financial support for the team at the national contest.

For more information on the 4-H program in your county, visit go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk

University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems.

Submitted by University of Illinois Extension

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Photos courtesy of U of I Extension