The State 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl contest brought teams from across Georgia together on January 28 for a spirited match in which buzzers were hot and stakes were high. The senior team from Morgan County took home first place. Team members Jennifer Brown, Kimberly Brown, Jamie Nelson, and Natalie Ross became the newest Master 4-H’ers in the Georgia 4-H program.

Horse Quiz Bowl is one of dozens of agriculturally based programs that Georgia 4-H offers to youth with the goal of providing educational experiences that equip participants for their future as citizens and stewards. Contestants prepare by studying industry standard handbooks on equine health, history, management, and care. Participating 4-H’ers gain a practical understanding of equine science and principles of horse management applicable to enhancing horse ownership or other equine related activities.

The contest takes place in a fast-paced quiz bowl style that positions teams in brackets with double elimination. Fourteen junior teams and five senior teams competed at the State Contest in Madison, GA. Junior teams are made up of youth from 4^th grade to 8^th grade and senior teams are 9^th through 12^th grade 4-H’ers; the winners of senior-level state competitions become Master 4-H’ers.

The first-place junior team from Oglethorpe County included Haleigh Baker, Dosie Blount, Abby Gabriel, Annalee Tillman. They were coached by Raven Cooper, Oglethorpe County 4-H Volunteer. The Morgan County senior team was coached by Lucy Ray, Morgan County Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent and Michala Bryant, Morgan County Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Assistant.

The equine industry has a $2.5 billion impact on Georgia’s economy in an average year. The Horse Quiz Bowl program connects students with leading veterinarians and industry specialists as they prepare to compete. These impactful relationships facilitate the successful future of this important part of Georgia agriculture. Participants and their parents gain access to valuable information that can improve their equine operations.

“4-H Horse Quiz Bowl is one of many events offered by our Animal Science Department that allows youth to increase their knowledge of the equine industry,” said Kate Whiting, Georgia 4-H Animal Science Specialist for Equine and Poultry. “Programs like Quiz Bowl enable youth to be a part of a team that builds life skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and decision making through species specific topics. Knowledge and skills gained in this event provide long term benefits for youth in Georgia.”

Other winners in the contest include second place senior team from Coweta County with team members Claire Lummus, Gabriela Luna, Avery Pruett, Josie Roberson, and Elena Williams; third place senior team from Oconee County with team members Danica Heeter, Molly Smith, Julia Thomas, and McCall Woodruff; second place junior team from Houston County with team members Emma Grace Beecher, Haylee Coleman, Olivia King, Emeline Vorisek, and Claire Walter; and third place junior team from Elbert County with team members Bethany Burden, Ayden Evans, Natalie Evans, and Jalyn White.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 225,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

For more information about how to get involved with Horse Quiz Bowl and Georgia 4-H, contact your locaUniversity of Georgia County Extension Office or visit www.georgia4h.org.