Title: Iowa State University Hosts Successful Equine Extravaganza for Youth Development

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach hosted its annual Equine Extravaganza on April 12 and 13 at the Ellsworth Community College Equestrian Center in Iowa Falls. This two-day event brought together nearly 60 youth in grades 3–12 for a weekend filled with learning, creativity, and equine-focused competition.

The Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program organized the Equine Extravaganza, which allowed participants to showcase their knowledge, skills, and passion for horses through various team and individual events.

“This event gives youth a chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned about equine topics in a supportive environment that values fairness, respect, and sportsmanship,” said Lisa Berkland, 4-H youth development specialist.

“Youth can participate on their own or as part of a team, which helps them develop cooperation, communication, and leadership skills as they work toward shared goals,” added Peggy Auwerda, equine specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Fifty-three youth in grades 4–12 competed in hippology, horse judging, horse quiz bowl, presentations, and public speaking competitions. Additionally, 27 youth in grades 3–12 took part in participatory events, submitting 68 horseless horse items for evaluation. These creative projects included photography, painting, drawing, scrapbooking, woodworking, 3-D art, digital storytelling, model horses, and creative writing.

Top senior division winners in horse judging, hippology, quiz bowl, public speaking, and individual demonstrations earned the opportunity to represent Iowa 4-H at the Eastern National Roundup in Louisville, Kentucky, this November.

In addition to competing, participants had the chance to explore their interests, try new things, and build lasting connections with others who share their enthusiasm for horses. The weekend celebrated both knowledge and creativity, leaving youth inspired and more confident in their equine journey. A complete list of award winners can be found below.

Junior Horse Judging Individuals: Rowen Eberhart – Clinton County
Amelia Elmore – Story County
Harper Vermeer – Story County
Kennedy Jackson – Story County
Rylin Swaby – Appanoose County

Junior Horse Judging Team: Story County 1 – Amelia Elmore, Kennedy Jackson, Keira Kruger, and Glory Bents
Sioux County – McCoy Moss, Merritt Moss, Pixie Vlotho, and Colt Wenande
Clinton County 1 – Rowen Eberhart, Trinity Tague, and Hailey Geffers
Appanoose County – Rylin Swaby, Abigail Main, and Bodie Joiner
Story County 2 – Harper Vermeer, Noelle Hartsook, Carter Jackson, and Serenity Bents

Senior Horse Judging Individuals: Rylee Ferwerda – Boone County
Tallisen Hysell – Appanoose County
Lydia Longhorn – Boone County
Ty Guthrie – Tama County
Laney Weimerskirch – Davis County

Senior Horse Judging Team: Boone County – Rylee Ferwerda, Lydia Longhorn, Meredith Garman, and Brylie Hicks
Story County – Ty Guthrie, Elliana Vermeer, Quince Clatt, and Elle Hadaway

Junior Quiz Bowl Individual: Amelia Elmore – Story County
Rylin Swaby – Appanoose County
Rowen Eberhart – Clinton County
Harper Vermeer – Story County
Blaise Sloan – Appanoose County

Junior Quiz Bowl Team: Clinton County 1 – Trinity Tague, Hailey Geffers, and Rowen Eberhart
Story County – Keira Kruger, Harper Vermeer, Carter Jackson, Amelia Elmore, and Serenity Bents
Appanoose County 1 – Abigail Main, Rylin Swaby, Bodie Joiner, and Colton Lear
Clinton County 2 – Charlotte Thompson, Rylen Eberhart, and Finley Voss
Appanoose County 2 – Laney Warnick, Addison Lear, Joey Robinson, and Colton Sackman

Senior Quiz Bowl Individual: Olivia Van Beek – Sioux County
Elle Hadaway – Story County
Ashley Sleeth – Appanoose County
Tie: Quince Clatt and Elliana Vermeer – Story County

Senior Quiz Bowl Team: Sioux County – Olivia Van Beek, Taya Den Herder, and Taylor Hirschman
Story County – Elle Hadaway, Quince Clatt, Elliana Vermeer, Glory Bents, and Kennedy Jackson
Appanoose County – Jaxton Joiner, Tallisen Hysell, Ashley Sleeth, and Justiss Robinson

Junior Hippology Individual: Trinity Tague – Clinton County
Nora Larson – Bremer County
Merritt Moss – Sioux County
Kennedy Jackson – Story County
Caitlyn Bilstad – Calhoun County

Junior Hippology Team: Clinton County 1 – Trinity Tague, Rowen Eberhart, Hailey Geffers, and Jozey Bensley
Mixed County – Nora Larson, Caitlyn Bilstad, and Piper Stauffer
Story County 1 – Kennedy Jackson, Harper Vermeer, and Keira Kruger
Sioux County – Merritt Moss, McCoy Moss, Pixie Vlotho, and Colt Wenande
Clinton County 2 – Kinzie Gordon, Rylen Eberhart, Finley Voss, and Charlotte Thompson

Senior Hippology Individual: Rylee Ferwerda – Boone County
Elliana Vermeer – Story County
Camryn Bruce – Polk County
Olivia Van Beek – Sioux County
Lydia Longhorn – Boone County

Senior Hippology Team: Boone County – Rylee Ferwerda, Lydia Longhorn, Brylie Hicks, and Meredith Garman
Story County – Elliana Vermeer, Quince Clatt, and Elle Hadaway
Sioux County – Olivia Van Beek, Taylor Hirschman, and Taya Den Herder
Appanoose County – Tallisen Hysell, Ashley Sleeth, and Jaxton Joiner

Accessories/Clothes/Crafts/Woodworking – Beginners: Colt Wenande – Sioux County
Quincey Smith – Johnson County

Accessories/Clothes/Crafts/Woodworking – Juniors: Piper Stauffer – Floyd County
Trinity Tague – Clinton County

Short Story – Beginners: Colt Wenande – Sioux County
Quincey Smith – Johnson County

Short Story – Junior: Harper Vermeer – Story County

Digital Storytelling – Beginners: Quincey Smith – Johnson County
Quincey Smith – Johnson County

Painting – Beginner: McCoy Moss – Sioux County

Painting – Juniors: Lauren Janke – Warren County
Abigail Main – Appanoose County

Painting – Senior: Elliana Vermeer – Story County

Poster – Juniors: Lauren Janke – Warren County
Nora Larson – Bremer County

Photography – Beginners: Addison Lear – Appanoose County
Colt Wenande – Sioux County

Photography – Juniors: Zoe Griffith – Polk County
Jozey Bensely – Polk County

Individual Demonstration – Juniors: Rylin Swaby – Appanoose County
Piper Smith – Johnson County

Individual Demonstration – Seniors: Jaxton Joiner – Appanoose County
Ashley Sleeth – Appanoose County

Public Speaking – Junior: McCoy Moss – Sioux County