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| Kalyn Eckhoff (left) and Kirstyn Eckhoff (right) |
(BUTLER, MO – March 18, 2014) - Nearly 100 Missouri youth were all business as they evaluated several classes of horses at the 2014 State 4-H Horse Judging contest held March 15, on the University of Missouri campus. Bates County 4-H’ers Kirstyn Eckhoff and sister Kalyn Eckhoff placed 7 overall out of sixteen teams in the Junior Division Team Judging. In the Junior Individual Division, Kirstyn placed second in the state out of 42 contestants. Kalyn finished 24 out of 42.
"4-H members have been practicing their horse judging skills in preparation for the contest but it's more than just a judging competition," according to Ben Gallup, State 4-H youth development specialist. “Public speaking, critical thinking and decision making are all transferable skills gleaned from participation. We call them life skills, but honestly the kids are here because they love horses," he added.
Alan J. Mundey, Bates County 4-H Youth Specialist, stated that in the contest, the young people compared horses in each class based on desirable breed traits and ranked the animals from most to least desirable. They also explained their rankings to the judges. Mundey would like to thank 4-H volunteer Jill Fischer and her daughter Taylor for coaching the Junior horse judging team.
To learn more about 4-H and how to get involved locally go online to http://mo4h.missouri.edu or visit the nearest University of Missouri Extension Center.
