April 3, 2021

News Release

For Immediate Release

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact the New Jersey State 4-H Office at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu or 848-932-3597.

State 4-H Model Horse Show Winners Announced

4‑H horse club members from throughout New Jersey took part in the 2021 Virtual State 4‑H Model Horse Show. The New Jersey 4-H Model Horse Project is an educational program, entailing the collecting and showing of model horses. This sincere hobby inspires 4-H'ers to pursue perfection, authenticity, and artistry. The "world of the model horse show" involves a vast equine knowledge and skill to reproduce the realism needed to portray the image of a live horse.

Exhibiting and photographing model horses can be a unique learning experience. 4-H'ers discover the structure of the horse - anatomy and conformation; colors; markings; proper tack, equipment and attire; and styles of riding and showing. Numerous skills are developed in the model horse project including sculpting, painting, leather-work, photography, collecting and record keeping.

Model horse shows were started by adults in the mid-1960s, first with the "photo" show and later the "live" show. In a photo show, a picture of a model horse is assessed. The horse is photographed at halter or in a performance class. The photo is sent to a "photo show" to be judged. A "live show" is where the actual model is exhibited and judged.

The top winners named at the 2021 State 4‑H Model Horse Show were:

  1. High Point Large Stable (over 20 horses) Champion: Dallas Blair (Monmouth County)
  2. High Point Large Stable (over 20 horses) Reserve Champion: Sara Kaufman (Middlesex County)
  3. High Point Small Stable (under 20 horses) Champion: Elizabeth Sodtalbers (Warren County)
  4. High Point Small Stable (under 20 horses) Reserve Champion: Arica Sodtalbers (Warren County)
  5. Halter Champion: Sara Kaufman (Middlesex County)
  6. Halter Reserve Champion: Dallas Blair (Monmouth County)
  7. First Timer High Point Champion: Kelly Farrell (Gloucester County)
  8. First Timer High Point Reserve Champion: Samantha Vocke (Hunterdon County)

The world of model horses is both interesting and informative. Horse lovers of all ages will enjoy participating in this 4‑H project. It is especially accommodating for youth who do not have horses or for those who, because of health reasons, cannot physically work around live horses. For information on how to become involved in the 4‑H Model Horse Project send an email to Carol Ward, State 4‑H Horse Program Coordinator (ward@njaes.rutgers.edu).

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension. 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13 (one year out of high school), on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status and any other category protected by law.

For more information about the New Jersey 4‑H Program visit the website at: nj4h.rutgers.edu.

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.

Rutgers New Jersey 4-H Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station