GREENWOOD, SC – South Carolina now has its first National 4-H Round-Up Champion! Haley Bishop from Newberry, who is a member of Lexington County 4-H, won Champion honors in Individual Presentation at the Eastern Nationals.
Haley has been a member of the 4-H horse program for several years and already has been to nationals in Hippology and Horse Bowl. Earlier this year, she was out of commission recovering from brain surgery and had some very serious complications, but Haley didn’t let it slow her down for long.
Haley received a $500 scholarship from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) as well as a ribbon and trophy from the North American International Livestock Exposition, and a trophy sponsored by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA).
Fae Herbert is Haley’s volunteer leader and coach. Fae has had over 30 years as a volunteer in the Virginia 4-H horse program prior to retiring to South Carolina. She has helped train many volunteers in coaching horse judging and has provided advice in getting the State 4-H Horse Bowl contest established. Fae has volunteered to lead a session on “Coaching 4-H Presentations” at the Leader Symposium in January ’08 prior to the trip.
In addition to Haley’s success, the 4-H Hippology Team was 5th High Team in the Judging Phase of the Hippology Contest. Team members included Sarah Folsom, Katie Skinner, Tim Steele, and Jessica Rawl. Coaches for the Hippology Team were Cornelia Folsom and Bonnie Steele.
Also, representing South Carolina at the Eastern Nationals were Horse Bowl team members Olivia Taylor, Ally Merritt, Brittany Caitlin, Joye Dimsdale and Erik Christmas. Karen Merritt served as coach.
The group had the opportunity to tour the Kentucky Horse Park and Churchill Downs while at the Eastern Nationals.
For more information, contact Elizabeth R. Buist, 4-H Horse Specialist, 864-942-8590, ext 113, and visit the 4-H Horse Website at http://www.clemson.edu/4H/programs/agnatres/horse/horse.htm.