The Woodstock Independent
February 26, 2014
Kids get 'hipp' to horses
BY SANDY KUCHARSKI
About 20 4-H horse project youth from all over McHenry County participated in the county 4-H Hippology Contest Feb. 22 at the University of Illinois Extension office in Woodstock. A mutual love of horses was responsible for driving the children to come out on a Saturday to spend more than an hour taking the combination of tests that make up the contest.
The term hippology means the study of horses; the word “hippo” is the Greek term for horse. The primary objective of the hippology contest is to provide an opportunity for youth enrolled in a 4-H horse project to demonstrate the breadth of their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a friendly but competitive setting.
Participants are divided into three age divisions. For the county contest, they take a written test and visit 10 different stations where they identify 10 items at each station about equine-related topics such as breeds of horses, coat colors, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, diseases, tack and riding disciplines.
In McHenry County, interested horse project youth meet weekly at the Extension office in Woodstock to study. Most of the youth are also members of the county horse bowl team, another educational project in which their knowledge is tested in a contest, similar to a College Quiz Bowl competition.
The McHenry County Horse Committee facilitates various clinics and practices, along with competitions to provide young horse enthusiasts with learning opportunities. Many projects do not even require access to a horse.
“I’ve gone all the way to state in hippology, and it gets a lot more serious,” said Josa Comstock, 16, of Spring Grove, who placed first in the senior division. “[County contest] is a lot more about fun learning.”
A model horse show was also held in conjunction with the hippology contest. Children brought in their model horses to show off. Winners were determined by popular vote in categories including best display, costumed horse, stock-type horse, hunter-type horse and ponies.
This was the first year that 8-year-old Madison Leaman, Woodstock, competed in hippology. She placed sixth in the junior division. “It was kind of easy because my grandma helped me study,” she said.