COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2021 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest gathered 19 youths and their coaches in late March and early April.

The contest consisted of an online qualifying exam in March; the top four teams in each age division advanced to the in-person portion in April.

Top junior competitors (ages 8-13):

First: Bailey Spalding, Jackson County.

Second: Elizabeth Pruett, Jackson County.

Third: Kelsa Kirk, Jackson County.

The top junior team represented Jackson County.

The top senior competitor (ages 14-18) was Natalie Samuels, Boone County. No senior teams competed in this year’s in-person contest.

Sponsors for the 2021 Missouri 4-H State Horse Bowl Contest include FCS Financial, Missouri Farm Bureau, Cynthia O’Bryan and the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

A majority of Horse Bowl participants reported that competing in the event increased their knowledge in areas such as equine confirmation, behavior, equipment, diseases, anatomy, terminology and characteristics.

Ninety-three percent of youths said that as a result of their involvement in 4-H, they are seeking to learn more about agriculture, consider themselves advocates for the agriculture industry and are seeking a career in agriculture; 86% feel they are educated consumers of agricultural products and are comfortable sharing their knowledge of agriculture with others.

For more information, visit 4h.missouri.edu.