On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 12 Smith County 4-H’ers traveled to the Tennessee Miller Coliseum on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University to compete in the Central Region 4-H and MTSU Horse Judging Contest.

Over the past 9 weeks, our 4-H’ers have strengthened their equine knowledge with the help of volunteer coaches Caitlin Rossington and Catherine Chapman. At the contest, 4-H’ers judged a total of nine classes of horses in-person, consisting of a variety of both riding and halter classes. 

Our Junior Team A was made up of Charlotte Boyce, Kennedy Deckard, Sophie Hale, and Winnie Jo Hendry. Our Junior Team B was made up of Peter Chartier, Rylee Jones, Lucas Potapov, and Sammy Potapov.

In the 4-H Contest, our Junior Team A was 5th Place and our Junior Team B was 6th Place out of 18 teams in their division. Charlotte Boyce was the 11th High Individual.

In the MTSU Contest, Winnie Jo Hendry placed 4th overall in the Junior Performance Class Division. Our Junior Team B placed 3rd Overall in the Junior Halter Class division, and our Junior Team A placed 5th overall in the Junior Performance Class division.

Our Junior High Team was made up of Katie Belle Butler, Luke Chartier, Titus Chartier, and Kyler Yerge. 

In the 4-H Contest, Katie Belle Butler was the 9th High Individual. In the MTSU Contest, our Junior High Team was 5th Place in the Junior High Performance Class division.

We are so proud of all these 4-H’ers for the way they represented themselves and Smith County at this contest!

Thanks again to volunteers Caitlin Rossington and Catherine Chapman for their time and dedication in leading our 4-H Horse Project Group. 

The 4-H Horse Program helps youth to develop communication skills, make decisions based on facts and observations, compete with a sportsmanlike attitude, and develop self-confidence. For more information about Horse Judging, our 4-H Horse Project Group, or any other 4-H activities, please call 615-735-2900.