County 4-H Members Compete at State 4-H Horse Show

COURT HOUSE — Congratulations to ten 4-H horse club members who represented Cape May County at the New Jersey State 4-H Championship Horse Show, Aug. 24-26, at the Horse Park of New Jersey at Stone Tavern in Allentown. The Cape May County 4-H Team won the Reserve Grand Championship in the English Division.
2016 4-H Senior Equestrian of the Year Victoria McCann, of Lower Township, represented Cape May County in the NJ State 4-H Equestrian of the Year Contest in Monmouth County on August 13. She was awarded Grand Champion in the Working Hunter Pony at the state horse show. McCann, also finished 5th in the Hunter Under Saddle Pony and 8th in the Hunter Hack Pony. McCann is a member of the Shore Blazers 4-H Club.
Kelly Suter, of Lower Township and a member of the Shore Blazers 4-H Club, won Grand Championships in English Division competition in Senior Hunter Under Saddle and Senior Equitation Over Fences. Suter also placed 3rd in Working Hunter Horse, 7th in English Halter, 8th in Hunter Hack Horse, and 8th in Handy Working Hunter Horse.
Kathleen DeGenova, of Cape May Court House and a member of the Wranglers 4-H Club was awarded Reserve Champion in Junior Dressage Seat Equitation. DeGenova also took 4th place in Hunter Hack Pony, 5th place in Handy Working Hunter Pony, 5th place in Working Hunter Pony, 7th in Junior Equitation Over Fences, 9th in Hunter Under Saddle Pony and 10th in Training Level Dressage.
Annabella Halbruner, of Ocean View and a 2016 Senior Outstanding 4-H Member, won 3rd place in Barrels Pony and 7th Place in Poles Pony. Halbruner is a member of the 4-H Wranglers Club.
Kate Pantelione, of Belleplain and a member of the Wranglers 4-H Club, won 5th Place in Intro Level Dressage, 7th Place in Junior English Showmanship and Grooming, and 8th Place in English Pleasure.
Rebecca Thompson, of Green Creek and a member of the Barnyard Buddies 4-H Club, won 3rd place in Barrels Horse, 7th Place in Poles Horse and 5th Place in Bowtie Horse. She also competed in Keyhole Horse.
Alexa DiPalantino, of Cape May Court House and a member of the Star Hollow Riders 4-H Club, finished 7th in Hunter Hack, 9th in Junior Hunter Under Saddle and 10th in Junior Equitation on the Flat.
Maysen Gibboni, of Woodbine and a member of the Star Hollow Riders 4-H Club, finished 8th in Junior Under Saddle and competed in Working Hunter Horse.
Emily Hess, of Rio Grande and member of the Shore Blazers 4-H Club, took 6th place in Junior English Equitation Over Fences and 9th in Handy Working Hunter Pony.
Erin Schalick, of Cape May Court House and a member of the Hy-Riders 4-H Club, competed in Senior English Showmanship and Grooming and Senior Hunter Under Saddle.
The State 4-H Championship Horse Show is an annual three-day event that offers 4-H’ers an opportunity to compete at an advanced level and meet other 4-H horse project members from around the state of New Jersey.
“The competing 4-H’ers are the best of the best from each county; they have earned the right to participate through county-level qualifying shows.” said Linda Horner, Cape May County 4-H Program Coordinator. “I am very proud of our Cape May County Team; they are all champions,” added Horner.
Over 200 4-H members from throughout New Jersey gathered to compete in the English, Western, Dressage, Driving, Very Small Equine, Challenged Rider and Game Divisions.
The State 4-H Championship Horse Show is sponsored in part by the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board as well as by many businesses, organizations and individuals from throughout the state.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth grades K – 13 on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, natural origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program at the 4-H Foundation website cmc4h.com or call 609-465-5115 ext. 605.