By Janette Dragvold
On February 1, 2020, two junior 4-H Fillmore County Hippology teams competed in their first ever national competition at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, S. Dak. The 11- to 13-year-olds were excited to be able to represent Fillmore County and the State of Minnesota, but even more excited about the contest’s outcome. Team 2 (Grace Goddard, daughter of Casey and Shannon Goddard of Chatfield; Lauren Olson, daughter of Alysha Himle; and Cora Schnebly, daughter of Matt and Jessi Schnebly of Lanesboro) earned a meritorious sixth place finish while Team 1 (Grace Boelter, daughter of Joe and Brooke Boelter of Chatfield; Samantha Baker, daughter of Josh and Jesse Baker of Chatfield; Walter and Sonora Olivier, children of Marnus and Loretta Olivier of of Chatfield) earned an impressive first place finish as well as top five individual places (Walter Olivier and Samantha Baker) and one first place individual finish (Grace Boelter). Both teams were coached by Maggie Haugstad and Loretta Olivier. Not only is this a momentous achievement for both Fillmore County Hippology teams but what they had to do to get there is even more impressive.
Hippology is a Greek word meaning the study of the horse. This encompasses anything from veterinary sciences such as anatomy, nutrition, genetics, hoof science and injuries and diseases to safety, management, equipment and equipment parts, to different breeds and colors. Basically, if it has anything to do with a horse, these young 4-Hers need to know it.
“We practice two times a week and we have a lot of paperwork,” says Sonora Olivier.
For a Hippology contest the participants must first do an exam that can be anywhere from 25 to 100 questions. From there they move from five to ten different stations where they need to correctly identify ten different items from any of the many topics of Hippology. They only have two minutes at each station. Teams are then given an oral team problem. They have a time limit for discussion and must present their answer to a judge. The National Competition also includes a written team problem. Team problems can be questions anywhere from how to balance a feed ratio to how to diagnose and treat illness.
“We have to study a really broad range of things because we never know what we’re going to be given up there,” explains coach Maggie Haugstad
Grace Goddard finds the team problems the most difficult for her. She states that one of the most challenging things is “just trying to communicate with the other teammates and trying to explain it.”
To qualify for the national Hippology contest, both teams needed to place at the Minnesota State 4-H horse show in September. They all agreed that this was their most difficult contest because it was also their first time competing as a team in Hippology, and this contest also included horse judging. Horse judging involves scoring and placing four horses based on configuration, balance and structural correctness. Sometimes they also judge according to breed type, and other times they judge the rider as well.
Coach and parent Loretta Olivier couldn’t be more proud.
“It’s amazing,” she says. “It means the world that they committed themselves, and buckled down, and got to work, and got themselves this far. There’s definitely a lot of parents behind helping and pushing, but without the drive that these kids have, they wouldn’t be where they are now. As a parent of two of them, my heart is full.”
Olivier’s son Walter is confident that this experience will benefit him. His ultimate goal is to be a farrier like his father.
“It’s going to help me in the future with horses and getting to know them,” he explained.
After working together for only a year, the tight-knit group was enthusiastic about the upcoming contest and the key of their success is attributed to many things. Each one has strengths in different areas.
“They just kind of complete each other as a whole,” says Loretta.
They are also quick to point out that they wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without the support of Fillmore County, the state of Minnesota 4-H horse project, their parents, families, and the many businesses and organizations that have supported them and helped them financially.
“Thank you to the awesome people that believed in us!” says Samantha.
With the two young teams doing so well their first year of competition, the future of 4-H Hippology in Fillmore County is looking very bright. Their coaches and parents are as optimistic and as enthusiastic as the kids. Coach Haugstad is especially excited.
“It’s going to be pretty crazy to see what they’re able to do in the next couple of years.”
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