The Illinois 4-H Horse Speaking and Hippology Contest took place on April 11-12 at the University of Illinois, featuring strong performances from DeWitt County 4-H members. Stephanie Niesen stood out with four top-five rankings, including first place in the Senior Individual Formal Speech for her presentation on “The Six Nutrients,” which qualifies her for the National contest in Louisville, KY, this November. Lexi Merriman also performed well, securing fourth place in Senior Individual Formal Speech and sixth in Senior Original Individual Presentation.
In addition to the speaking contest, DeWitt County members excelled in the State 4-H Hippology Contest, with Lexi Merriman finishing sixth in the Intermediate Division, Lillian Elsea seventh, and Briley Thomas twelfth. The Hippology Contest evaluates participants’ knowledge of horse health, breed characteristics, and management, along with a timed problem-solving challenge.
Illinois 4-H, part of the University of Illinois Extension, focuses on youth development through hands-on learning experiences. The program aims to equip young people with skills for college, careers, and leadership, significantly increasing their likelihood of pursuing higher education and technical training.
