Young horse enthusiasts made a strong showing for Kansas at the recent All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.
Chanae Parker, Chessa Parker Kendall Schoenhals, and Brook Staten represented the Kansas Quarter Horse Youth Association in two competitions.
Justine Staten, executive director of the Kansas Horse Council, is the team coach.
“The Quiz Bowl was a tough competition, much different from the state 4-H contest,” Staten clarified.
“An incorrect answer is not just a missed opportunity for points. It is also a deduction from the total,” the coach explained. “There was a double elimination bracket so tension was high from round to round.”
Questions were derived from any of eight approved resources. Points were then tabulated on the top three participants of the team. Forty five individuals of the 60 total competitors had points tallied.
The Kansas delegation ranked eighth out of 14 teams entered.
Brook Staten placed 15th, while Chessa Parker was 20th and Kendall Schoenhals ranked 29th. Chanae Parker was 35th in the campaign for recognition.
Hippology is defined as the study of all things horse with Kansas’ delegation participating in that competition the following day.
This contest was comprised of four phases. There was a written exam as well as identification of items related to horses.
In the judging division, entrants placed four different conformation and performance classes. Finally was the problem phase where contestants evaluated a situation and each attributed to solution discussion and assembling an impromptu puzzle.
Out of 14 teams, the Kansas group placed fifth overall receiving medals for the high ranking.
Additional team awards were third in horse judging, and fifth in both the written and problem solving divisions.
Out of 55 individuals, Brook Staten was third individually in horse judging and 10th in the identification division. Kendall Schoenhals was fourth high individual in horse judging.
“We are very proud of the hard work, focus, fundraising and success of these girls in these competitions,” Staten credited. “The All American Quarter Horse Congress is an amazing place to go, see and learn.
“Top industry competitors in all disciplines exhibit throughout the month of October. Our nation’s top horse breeders have incredible stall offices to show off their stock,” Staten continued. “It’s a shopper’s paradise with something for everyone who is horse savvy. Breed and discipline associations along with collegiate equine programs are offered too.”
The team members became acquainted during the Kansas 4-H Panorama at Rock Springs Ranch. “Hippology and Quiz Bowl competitions have been the springboard for their pursuing greater equine experiences,” Staten informed.
A member of Riley County’s Ashland Boosters 4-H Club, Chessa Parker, 18, has participated in horse competitions for seven years. She especially enjoys trail riding her own mare called Boo. “My goals are to obtain an equine certificate and complete my degree in animal biosciences with a minor in biology from Kansas State University,” Chessa said.
Also a Riley County Ashland Boosters 4-H Club member, Chanae Parker, 16, likes the 4-H horse competitions. She especially enjoys exhibiting her mare Sarah at the county 4-H show. “These experiences have provided great learning opportunities. I hope to be on the Kansas State University Horse Judging Team someday,” Chanae said.
Active in the Riley County Leonardville Hustlers 4-H Club, Brook Staten, 17, has been riding horses since she was three. Exhibiting her horse Jericho in numerous horse shows, she was recipient of a 2019 Kansas FFA Equine Science Entrepreneurship Award. “I trained and showed my Mustang Porter to second place at the state fair. My passion for learning about the equine industry is sincere,” Brook said.
From Reno County, Kendall Schoenhals, 17, has been showing horses since she was five. Participating in the Youth Equestrian Development Association, she has competed in a wide variety of events. She has shown a snaffle bit horse called Tag in both the two and three-year-old state fair divisions. “My proudest moment was winning third overall last year in the two-year-old-class,” Kendall said.
Two additional Kansas Quarter Horses youth shined at Columbus. Lexi McCollough and Fortheluvofthegame placed eighth in the 15-18 Western pleasure class.
Aubrey Gerdes and Zippos Mr Goodbody were 19th in the Level One 13 and under showmanship.