It's been a busy year for 4-H in Butler County. Our youth members have been active in regional, state and national events throughout the year.

Following are the results of two statewide shows in which Butler County 4-H members have participated recently.

Junior Dairy Show

Four Butler County 4-H members participated in the 2008 PA Junior Dairy Show held at the State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. 4-H and FFA members from across Pennsylvania, with 625 entries, competed in six dairy breed divisions at the 53rd annual show.

In the Ayrshire division, Robin Peters of Connoquenessing placed third with her Best Animal Owned and Bred entry in the Fall Yearling class and fourth with her Winter Yearling.

Jordan Kennedy of Butler captured a first, Reserve Senior Champion, and Reserve Grand Champion in the Brown Swiss division with his Junior 3-year old. Jordan also earned a Master Showman award.

In the Holstein division, Robin Peters exhibited a Fall Calf.

Cody Stephenson of Chicora earned a first, Best Animal Owned and Bred, and Reserved Junior Champion in the Guernsey division with his Spring Calf. Cody also placed third with his entry in Winter Calf class. In addition, Cody earned Master Showman awards with both of his entries.

Travis Covert of Chicora also competed in the Guernsey division earning a third place and Master Showman award with his Summer Yearling. Trisha Covert of Chicora place fifth and was recognized as a Master Showman with her Spring Yearling entry in the Guernsey division.

The Pennsylvania Junior Dairy Show represents the highest level of competition in the Pennsylvania 4-H dairy program. Exhibitors at the state level qualify for competition at district level shows held during the summer. At the district level, entries are judged on individual merit with all blue merit animals qualifying for state competition.

4-H Horse Show winners named

Butler County 4-H horse club members earned 12 awards at the 49th annual State 4-H Horse Show held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

More than 900 youth from more than 60 counties vied for awards in performance and production classes. Butler County had 14 4-H'ers entered in the competition. Events tested skills in showmanship, equitation, pleasure, jumping, driving and timed events.

In the performance division, Joshua Dillaman of Slippery Rock captured second place in Miniature Horse Driving. Alicia Sacco of Butler placed seventh in Hunter Hack Horses and tenth in Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences, Senior division. Megan Wallis of Butler finished ninth in Pole Bending Horses and Nick Norante of Butler finished 10th in Saddle Seat Pleasure Horses.

In the 4-H horse production division, members exhibit project animals they raised. Johnathan Raabe of Boyers captured first place in Stock Type Horse Two-Year-Old Fillies. Krissy Fowler of Chicora placed second with her entry in Three-Year-Old Miniature Horse Geldings. Collin Fowler of Chicora placed third with his entry in Yearling and Two-Year Old Haflinger Fillies.

In the Quarter Horse division, Ginger Ullrich of Slippery Rock earned a third place in Yearling Geldings and a fifth place in the Three-Year-Old Filly class. Ginger also placed sixth in the Three-Year-Old Western Pleasure Futurity. In the Palomino division, Joshua Dillaman received a third place for his entry in the Two-Year and Three-Year-Old Filly class

Also competing at the State 4-H Horse Show were Amanda Dillaman of Slippery Rock, Beth Larson of Harmony and Aubrie Randolph of Portersville along with Carly Lazzo, Sonia Sacco and Dakota Roy of Butler.

The purpose of the Pennsylvania 4-H horse program is to develop life skills in youth and knowledge of horse production, use and management. The program promotes development of horsemanship skills while encouraging responsibility, self-confidence, sportsmanship and responsible care of project animals.

The state 4-H horse show culminates the year for about 6,200 Pennsylvania 4-H members enrolled in horse and pony clubs. To be eligible for this show, 4-H'ers advanced through qualifying competitions at county and district levels.

For additional information about 4-H horse clubs in Butler County, contact County Extension Director Donna Zang at 724-287-4761, Ext. 227, or by e-mail at dsz1@psu.edu.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.