Fox Valley youth earn honors at Illinois State Fair Junior Horse Show

4-H members from Kendall and Kane counties earned ribbons and honors in the several divisions of the 2016 Illinois State Fair Junior Horse Show this summer.

Five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Illinois 4-H members who earned Superior Young Producer Award honors, including Kane County 4-H'ers Madde Klinkey and Bailey Ricketts, both of St. Charles.

The SYPA horse contest had three separate areas of testing - a skillathon where members worked through visual and hands-on management stations, a written test on equine management, and a live animal judging contest. The top three winners in each of those division received honors. The contest is administered by Debra Hagstrom, University of Illinois Extension equine specialist.

Illinois 4-H Foundation, ADM, and the Illinois State Fair sponsor the Superior Young Producer Award program, which rewards 4-H and FFA members who excel in their knowledge of the livestock industry in five specific species, including horse, beef, dairy, sheep, and swine. This year, the lifetime total dollars awarded topped the $500,000 mark for the 21-year history the Superior Young Producer program.

During the Illinois State Fair Junior Horse Show, many local 4-H members also placed in the top three of various show divisions, including Hunter, Western, and Gymkhana. Kendall County 4-H's Kylie Marko claimed three first-place finishes in Gymkhana to garner her Grand Champion honors. In addition, Magdalen Turbak of St. Charles took home Reserve Champion in Pony Hunter with her horse "Imma Bonanza Impressor."

The following Illinois State Fair Junior Horse Show awards went to Kendall County 4-H and Kane County 4-H members, according to results posted by the Illinois State Fair (top three places listed, in alphabetical order by last name):

• Elena Chapa of Maple Park showing "Last Lil Detail" and "One Hot Jazz," won Hunter Horse, Hunter Showmanship, third place, age 13-14; and Western Horse, Horsemanship, third place, age 13-14.

• Taylor Emigh of Sugar Grove showing "Ranger" won Gymkhana Division, Barrel Race, third place, age 15-21; Gymkhana Division, Flag Race, third place, age 15-21; Hunter Horse, Traditional Hunter, over 58 inches, third place, age 17-18; and Western Pony, Ranch Horse Riding, under 56 inches, third place, age 15-21.

• Myah Hawley of Seneca showing "Aria" won Gymkhana Division, Flag Race, second place, age 15-21;

• In the Gymkhana Division, Kylie Marko of Marseilles showing "Martini" won Barrel Race, first place, age 15-21; Flag Race, first place, age 15-21; and pole bending, first place, age 15-21

• In the Gymkhana Division, Saige McNeill of Morris showing "IBA Cutter" won Barrel Race, first place, age 8-9; Flag Race, second place, age 8-9; Pole bending, first place, age 8-9; and in the Western Horse Division, Ranch Horse Riding, over 56 inches, second place, age 8-9;

• Anna Merrigan of Minooka showing "Miss Hazelwood" won English and Western Costume Class, first place, age 10-12;

• In the Gymkhana Division, Olivia Merrigan of Minooka showing "Hancocks Clabber Kat" won Barrel Race, second place, age 15-21; and Pole bending, third place, age 15-21;

• Samantha Merrigan of Minooka showing "A Treasure Bandit" won English and Western Costume Class, third place, age 13-14; Gymkhana Division, Pole bending, first place, age 10-14; and Hunter Horse, Traditional Hunter, over 58 inches, third place, age 13-14

• Nicole Stiegart of Yorkville showing "Heza Smokin' Loki" won Hunter Horse, Equitation over fences, second place, age 17-18;

• In the Hunter Horse Division, Magdalen Turbak of St. Charles showing "Imma Bonanza Impressor" won Equitation over fences, first place, age 17-18; Equitation over fences, over 58 inches, third place, any age; and Pony Hunter, Reserve Champion, age 17-18;

• Maddie Wietting of Joliet showing "Merry Legs" won English or Western Egg and Spoon, first place, age 8-9; and Gymkhana Division, Pole bending, third place, age 8-9.

4-H is part of University of Illinois Extension. It is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems. To learn more about University of Illinois Extension in your county, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/.