Lexington One students don’t ‘horse’ around

Look no further than a group of Lexington County School District One students when needing equine expertise. Thirteen students returned from the 2017 South Carolina 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology event, held February 18 and 19, weighed down with trophies and ribbons.

The young experts competed in the Horse Bowl, answering questions about horses and horse-related topics by buzzing in faster than their opponents. Additionally, they tested their knowledge during a written exam as well as identified equine items, judged horses and solved problems.

Participating students included Aliza Grace Allison, Khara Dawn Cox, and Molly Elizabeth Kozemko on Lexington Junior Team A; Allyson Kathryn Avayou, Abigail Morgan Cameron, Hailee Elizabeth Thomas and Ethan Randolph Willie on Lexington Junior Team B; Loni Marie McKenzie, Sianna Megan Smith, Mabel Grace Stephenson and Hailey Nicole Williamson on Lexington Senior Team A; and Caroline Lee Johnson and Mary Janice Middleton on Lexington Senior Team B.

Students represent Carolina Springs Middle, Deerfield Elementary, Gilbert High, Gilbert Middle, Lexington High, Midway Elementary and Pleasant Hill Middle. DES Fifth-Grade Teacher Kimberly R. Williamson coached students for the Horse Bowl and Hippology competitions.

“Being a part of 4-H empowers students to become true leaders. Many of them want to further their education after high school and work in the agricultural or equine fields,” Williamson said.

Lexington Junior Team A finished in third place overall followed closely by Lexington Junior Team B in fourth place. Lexington Senior Team B finished in second place overall in their division.

During the hippology round, contestants were shown a class of horses and had to judge them correctly. Lexington Senior Team A, made up of McKenzie, Smith and Williamson, took first place in the senior division.

Johnson, Middleton and Smith qualified individually to compete at the 4-H regionals in August as part of the South Carolina team.