OGLE COUNTY — Illinois 4-H placed sixth out of 22 teams at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Horse Judging Contest held Nov. 3 at the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.
Illinois placed fourth in the conformation division, sixth in oral reasons, and seventh in the performance division to claim the sixth-place team finish.
Members of the national team include Brenna Berns of Ogle County, Olivia Charles of Carroll County, Tea Thomas of Whiteside County, and Sarah Paige Tarr of DeWitt County. The team was coached by Paul Rogers, a 4-H alumnus of Pope-Hardin counties who resides in Quincy.

“This experience was truly a dream come true. It has definitely stretched me in ways I needed. I proved to myself that if I put my mind to it, I could achieve it,” Thomas said.
Olivia Charles said she looked up to the older kids competing at a national level.
“I never thought I would ever be good enough to get there. Competing in horse judging taught me that anyone can get there.”
The Illinois 4-H Foundation supports the team in national competition. Debra Hagstrom, University of Illinois Extension equine specialist, oversees the 4-H equine program.
About 4-H: Illinois 4-H empowers and prepares Illinois youth for success. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois, affecting the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained groups and short-term programming.