The 2025 NC State 4-H Horsebowl Contest was held on March 8, 2025, in conjunction with the State Hippology Contests on the campus of NC State University. The event drew 142 youth participants across 27 teams, competing in Junior, Senior, and Mixed divisions. Additionally, 17 enthusiastic Cloverbud participants, aged 5-7, engaged in four rounds of spirited play, demonstrating their budding equine expertise.

Congratulations too (L to R seated) Zoe McGaha, Bella Hedden, Eliana Meiners, Eliza Meiners, and Carlie James,  from the Cherokee County 4-H Horse Club for finishing 7th out of 10 Mixed aged teams at the state competition. This year parent/4-H volunteers coaches for the Mixed Team was Will and Amy Meiners(back row L to R).

Each horsebowl contestant must be an actual 4-H club member approved by his or her county Extension office and horse club leader. Participants are not required to own a horse to participate. Each team must have four eligible members. All team members must be present at the team seeding. All members of a Junior team may not have reached age 14 as of January 1 of the current year. All members of a Senior team must have reached age 14 but not age 19 before January 1 of the current year. It is strongly encouraged that mixed division teams consist of at least two Junior members and two Senior members. (A mixed team must contain at least two Junior members and one Senior member seated in competition at all times and may not have more than two Seniors seated at any time.)

4-H Horsebowl is an exciting opportunity offered as part of the NC 4-H Equine Program. At this event, youth are able to showcase their horse knowledge in a competitive, jeopardy- like contest.

This contest involves a series of questions that are asked either of a specific individual or a team. Participants use a buzzer system to ‘buzz’ in first and answer questions. These questions might be in the form of a regular question, toss-up, or bonus depending on the half of play.

There are a variety of subject areas covered:

1. Anatomy
2. Physiology and reproduction
3. Breeds and breed organizations
4. Behavior, psychology, training, and vices
5. Diseases and unsoundness
6. Parasites
7. Genetics
8. Tack and equipment
9. History and evolution
10. Breeds
11. Nutrition, feeds
12. Judging, conformation, unsoundness, blemishes
13. Showing, show procedures, equitation, and other mounted activities
14. Colors and markings
15. Stable and pasture management

Each year, top-scoring youth are selected to represent their 4-H Extension District at the state competition, which is held at NC State University.

Sponsors for this year’s horsebowl contest were the North Central District 4-H Horse Council, Stacy Adams, and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation.

The 2025 NC State 4-H Hippology contest was held on March 8, 2025, on the NCSU Campus. One hundered and ninety-one junior and senior contestants representing 34 counties were tested on their knowledge of horses through written exams, slide identification items, stations, judging classes and team problems. Sixteen cloverbuds, ages 5-7, also completed twenty station questions and judging two classes.

This event was sponsored by The Dale Earnhardt Foundation.

The 4-H Hippology contest elements include a written exam, horse judging, identification of items and/or their uses, and solving a problem and presenting the solution. Two of our five youth competed as Rookie Juniors in the Hippology contest this year.

If you would like more information about our 4-H Horse Club or 4-H in Cherokee County please contact, Shannon Coleman, by email at:  shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu or by phone at 828-837-2210 ext. 4.