4H Hippology Team on its way to nationals, DCFR 2014, photo by Leatta Mitchell

Ever wonder why you don’t see many horses at the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo?

That’s because the high volume of horses, contestants and spectators makes it harder to showcase among all the other animals and exhibits at the fair.

Therefore, the Horse Fair, which this year occurred July 17-20, gives horse enthusiasts and hippology experts the spotlight. And it is here that the Deschutes County 4-H hippology team gained experience on their way to the national tournament in Louisville, Ky.

“(The Horse Fair) is another place where they can practice and build their skill,” said Reaza Mansur, a 4-H Program assistant. The hippology team will represent Oregon at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup on Nov. 8.

“This is a very high level of competition, where high school and first-year college students get to experience travel and Kentucky,” said Candi Bothum, 4-H Program Coordinator.

Broadly speaking, hippology is the study of horses, but it also refers to a 4-H contest that focuses specifically on equine knowledge. Classes during the Horse Fair ranged from performance, ranch horse, gaming and jumping.

When Deschutes County competes in the hippology category nationally, they will demonstrate impressive knowledge ranging from judging and conformation and performance, answering a variety of equine-related questions, and finally, a team presentation in which they are given a question and must present a solution after only 10 minutes of preparation.

The team contestants range from 10th through 12th grades: Region Hayden, a recent Redmond High School graduate; Lauren Walley and Lauren Curl, both Trinity Lutheran seniors; and Elizabeth Larson, a sophomore at Sisters High School who has been competing in 4-H since she was 10. Kathleen Mitchell is also part of the team after successfully competing on the nationally qualifying Deschutes County horse judging team.

“The students are all different in their own way. They all do well with horses, but they also have so much more to offer,” Bothum said.

To prepare for nationals, the hippology team, guided by their coach Galyn Snair, is gathering and studying all the horse information they can. Although they are already well versed in horse knowledge, there is a caveat.

“In addition to fundraising, they must learn from new books in their knowledge quest,” Bothum explained.

The team must know topics such as anatomy, forage and hay, business aspects of the horse industry, industry rules, vet and health care, breeds, history of breeds, tack and equipment, waste management and hoof care. In short, they need to become experts at just about everything related to horses.

In the midst of all of this preparation, the five are also raising $1,500-$2,000 each by cleaning stalls and landscaping.

“This is a really great hands-on opportunity for students to learn,” Bothum said, noting that the state does not supply any money.

Once the big day is near, the team plans to visit Kentucky a day or two early to tour farms in the area, giving them a taste of horse country at its best.

“Just to be able to experience competition at this level is an incredible experience,” Bothum noted. “These kids are all very bright, and I know they will do our county proud.”