“Do. Reflect. Apply,” the 4-H slogan, was certainly put into play recently when seven talented Cape May County 4-H members competed against over 100 top equestrians from across New Jersey and took home 11 Grand Championships, 9 Reserve Championships, and many more ribbons.
The Cape May County 4-H Equestrian Team competed at the 2025 NJ State 4-H Championship Horse Show held August 15-17 at the Gloucester County DREAM Park in Logan Township.
Cape May County’s team included Abigail Kitner, Callie Carney, Grace Barcas, Evie King, Willow Ferguson, and Amelia Menchin, all from the Star Hollow Riders 4-H Club, and Brynn Gaynor of the Hy-Riders 4-H Club. They competed in a wide variety of classes, including Dressage, Very Small Equine (VSE, miniature horses), Driving, English, Western, Ranch, and Games
“The individual and team awards are a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our 4-H members, leaders, and volunteers,” said Brittany Rigg, the NJ State 4-H Horse Program Coordinator.
Cape May County’s 4-H equestrians racked up an impressive sweep of titles this year, with several riders and their horses standing out in multiple disciplines.
Abigail Kitner was a force across the board, winning Grand Championships in hunter and equitation with They’ll See in Time, topping the small equine classes with Monkey Bread, and adding western titles with Google It.
Callie Carney, riding Front Dancer, made her mark in equitation and hunter divisions, while Grace Barcas and Pixie Dust claimed three Grand Championships and a string of top-five finishes in both English and western events.
Evie King and Rebel dominated the beginner ranks, collecting multiple Grand Championships in English and ranch classes. Brynn Gaynor and I Can Buy Myself Flowers showed strength in pony divisions, earning consistent top finishes. Willow Ferguson and Flash’s Adventure also stood out, capturing a Grand Championship in equitation over fences.
Amelia Menchin and Monopolys Chance finished third in Jr English Equitation on the Flat and fifth in Pony Hunter Under Saddle.
Together, these riders brought home an array of top awards across English, western, hunter, and equitation classes—further proof that Cape May County 4-H horsemen and horsewomen are riding with the best in the state.
Cape May County’s Nathaniel McCrone, who was the 2024 NJ 4-H Senior Equestrian of the Year, attended the show’s opening ceremonies, where he helped sash this year’s Equestrian of the Year Contest winners.
“The horse program is one of our largest project areas in the state, except in the urban areas,” said Linda Horner, Cape May County 4-H Program coordinator. “It’s very big in Cape May County, although we did lose some members after Covid. 4-H is a youth development organization, and by learning to take care of the animals, competing and training, our youth gain confidence and knowledge, learn about commitment to community service and experience public speaking. All of these aspects are applied in our projects, and are skills that can be applied in the future. Our slogan is Do. Reflect. Our youth learn with hands-on experiences.”
Horner said parental support and encouragement is key to the many successes, as well as the commitment and dedication of the riders in the horse program. “Grit is also important, because they get out and ride even when it’s raining,” she said. “It’s that grit that makes a winner.”
For three of the winners, Kitner, Barcas and King, working with different horses who all have their own personalities, is a part of the experience they all enjoy.
Kitner, 13 and an eighth grader at Upper Township Middle Schoool, has been around horses her entire life, having started riding at 18 months old. She and her parents live on a farm in Upper Township, and taking care of horses, riding them and competing is second nature. Her mom, who also grew up in Upper Township, was also a competitor in the horse arena and a 4-H member.
“It’s fun riding all the different types of horses, whether they are old, young, experienced or not,” Kitner said. “Each has their own personality, and sometimes they know what you want them to do, and other times you have to teach and with repetition, they learn what to do.”
With dreams of a career training horses and competing in the Olympics, Kitner said she is often called to help with other horses if a rider is having trouble getting the horse to respond. “I’ve had a lot of experience already with horses, so I can get them to learn new things,” she said. “I stay calm when they don’t do what they should, I’m persistent and am confident in my abilities.”
For some competitions, Kitner will ride a different horse in different disciplines like jumping or western style riding. “Each time I have a different goal of what I want to achieve,” she said.
“4-H helps us with networking and finding some one who can help us achieve our goals.”
As the youngest rider on her teams at only 10 years of age, Barcas is friends with Kitner, who has helped her learn along the way. Her mom, Bonnie, is also friends with Kitner’s mother; they were both in 4-H and competed in their younger years.
“My mom grew up with horses, so for me, horses have always been a part of my life,” Barcas said. “This was my first year being able to compete and qualify for the state championship, and I like being able to make new friends, do more shows and be part of a team.”
Both girls compete on an interscholastic riding team, and there are shows almost every weekend for one of their groups. As part of the Star Hollow Riders Club, they meet monthly and learn proper horse care, how to prepare for shows, groom their horses, care for their hooves, and how to care for their saddles and tack.
“It’s a lot of work,” she said, “and there are good rides and bad rides. Sometimes we have happy tears, and sometimes sad tears. But I like being with my friends and celebrating our wins after the show.”
King, who is 12 years old and has been around horses all her life as her parents own a farm in Belleplain, also admits “it’s a lot of work, but riding is fun, horses are a part of me. The hard work is worth it.”
She has a horse and pony they bought at auction, and she’s been able to train and work with them both. “Each animal has their own personality, but I trust my pony, Rebel,” she said. “He’s a very good boy and I have confidence in what he will do. He is good with little kids, and we practice, practice, practice all the time. I ride most days, sometimes more than once a day, depending on the weather. You have to remember to not get frustrated when they don’t do what you want. You have to keep working at it.”
A sixth grader in Dennis Township Schools, King admits she is “not a morning person,” so her parents are often feeding the horses early, and she will feed at night. With dreams of one day owning her farm with horses, her more immediate goal is to start jumping: something that can make a parent nervous.
However, her mother also grew up riding with horses, so it’s the next step in a natural progression. While Kitner’s mother, Becky, said she doesn’t worry when her daughter jumps, she said Kitner’s father does get nervous.
“I’ve had a lot of falls,” admits Barcas, “and when I six-years-old, I broke both arms. But the next day, I got back on my horse and was back doing what I needed to do.”
That’s the confidence they, and others, have grown into through programs like 4-H, which offers educational programs to all youths, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis.
The new 4-H Year started on September 1 and new members are being accepted now. Anyone who would like to learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program or is interested in joining a 4-H club should call (609) 465-5115, ext. 3606, visit https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/ or email linda.horner@CAPEMAYCOUNTYNJ.GOV.
