Horse sense wins Clinton County girl a $1,000 scholarship

A Trenton girl was one of five teens who received $1,000 college scholarships as part of the Superior Young Producer Equine Scholarship Contest. The event tests a 4-H member’s knowledge of horse production and management.

Maddie Henderson of Trenton was one of 42 youth who competed on July 23 during the Illinois State Junior Horse Show at the state fairgrounds in Springfield.

In addition to Henderson, others winning a $1,000 college scholarship each were Natalie Shaw of Mount Carroll in Carroll County, Emily Shilling of Parkersburg in Edwards County, Lauren Cisna of Galva in Knox County, and Jessica Hall of Monmouth in Warren County.

Scholarships are provided with funds from Archer Daniels Midland Company.

Contestants judged two halter and two performance classes of horses, completed five management skill-a-thon stations, and took a written test. Members with the top three scores in those divisions were awarded plaques sponsored by the Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders.

In the judging phase, the top winners were Alexandrea Hemberger of Sangamon County, first; Korryn Baraks of Rock Island County and Olivia Farmer of Godfrey in Madison County, tied for second.

In the written test phase, the top winners were Cisna, first; Shaw, second; and Shilling, third.

In the skill-a-thon phase, the top winners were Shaw, first; Rylee McKinney of Coles County, second; and Henderson, third.

The event was conducted by Debra Hagstrom, Extension Equine Specialist. Contestants were all either 4-H or FFA members between 14 and 19 years of age.

This story was originally published August 6, 2015 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Horse sense wins Clinton County girl a $1,000 scholarship."