Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show 2025

The 65th Annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show was held October 23–26 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. More than 650 youth from over 50 counties participated in 82 performance classes throughout the weekend. There were more than 1,400 entries shown by youth who qualified for the show.

The State 4-H Horse Show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse members enrolled in performance horse projects. To be eligible, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county and district levels. Events include showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, pleasure, over-fences classes, driving, western riding, reining, trail, and timed events. An Equestrian with Disabilities division for riders with special needs is also included.

There are many different opportunities for members at the Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show, including a model horse show, skillathon, photography contest, and educational exhibit competition.  Members may also be recognized for good sportsmanship.  Members may also participate in the Pennsylvania 4-H Recreational and Alternative Equine Activities program, including the Hoof Hour Awards recognition.  This program promotes alternative activities with horses and sets attainable goals for youth participating in equine activities outside the show ring. Additionally, there is the Pennsylvania 4-H Horsemanship Skills Program. This is a progressive educational opportunity that focuses on learning at the appropriate pace for each horse and youth team. Developing knowledge and promoting safety of youth is the goal at every level of the program. Level 1 emphasizes basic, correct, and safe principles of handling and riding at the walk and trot; Level 2 builds a solid foundation of horsemanship skills and introduces the lope or canter and correct aids; Level 3 and Level 4 challenge riders to continue to develop their skills and are the most advanced levels.  Riley Tencza from Northampton County’s Dusty Trails horse club achieved her Level 1 in Horsemanship Skills this year with TA’s Remington.  Abigail Longenbach also achieved her Level 1 in Horsemanship Skills with Sweet Escape.  Londyn Probus achieved Level 1 in Horsemanship Skills with her miniature mare, Mercedes Bombshell Trick, as well as her mare, TA’s Rolls Royce.  Dorothy Everett achieved her Level 2 in Horsemanship Skills with her mare, Chocolateonmypillow.   

Northampton County had 20 members advanced to the state level with their equine partners after qualifying at the county and then regional level.  It is an amazing achievement to reach the state level of the performance horse program.  The Pennsylvania 4-H State Horse Show qualifiers this year were: Landin Beers and “Rockin Rolex,” Jaclyn Bickert and “Goldrush,” Riley Bickert and “Bobby Song,” Aubrey Carman and “Baby,” Cashin Chizmar and “Coco,” Dominick DiNapoli and “Invitation to Paris,” Julia DiNapoli and “Chics Dig Buckles,” Sage Dow and “Kruze On Over,” Dorothy Everett and “Chocolateonmypillow,” Lilah Goldfarb and “Old Fashioned,” Gabriella Handelong and “Joker,” Olivia and Harrison and “Bo Derek,” Hazel Henry and “Make It Count,” Alice McCullough and “Tequila Mockingbird,” Olivia McCullough and “Sweet Revenge,” Erin O’Brien “Match Up,” Summer Pitsilos and “Tobias,” Londyn Probus and “Mercedes Bombshell Trick” (also qualifying with, but unable to attend with her beloved “TA’s Rolls Royce”), and Evangelina Urban and “Sightline.”

All Northampton County members showed brilliantly and supported each other.  Additionally, Landin Beers placed 6^th in Western Grooming and Showmanship, ages 8-11 and 8^th in Western Grooming and Showmanship; Jaclyn Bickert placed 9^th in Beginner Trail; Dominick DiNapoli placed 3^rd in Ranch Pleasure, ages 8-13 and 5^th in Western Horsemanship, ages 12-14; Julia DiNapoli placed 10^th in Ranch Pleasure, ages 14-18 in her final year of 4-H; Sage Dow placed 7^th in Beginner English Equitation and placed 10^th in Beginner English Pleasure; Gabriella Handelong placed 9^th in Bow Tie Race Ponies, ages 8-13; Hazel Henry placed 4^th in Equitation Over Fences, ages 14-18 and placed 4^th in Working Hunter Ponies; Olivia McCullough placed 3^rd in Equitation Over Fences, ages 8-13 and 4^th in Hunter Hack Ponies (14.2 hands and under); and Rylan Rowlands placed 3^rd in Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat, ages 12-14 and placed 5^th in Hunter Under Saddle Ponies Over 13.2 hands (and not over 14.2 hands).

Incredibly, Northampton County had a few members place as Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show Champions and Reserve Champions this year!  Landin Beers was the 4-H State Champion in Western Pleasure Horses, ages 8-13 with “Rockin Rolex.”  Dominick DiNapoli was 4-H State Champion in Ranch Riding, ages 8-13 with “Invitation to Paris.”  Hazel Henry was 4-H State Champion in Hunter Under Saddle Ponies Over 13.2 hands (and not over 14.2 hands) with “Make It Count.”  Olivia McCullough was 4-H State Champion in Working Hunter Ponies with “Sweet Revenge.” Finally, Londyn Probus was 4-H State Champion in Miniature In-Hand Trail, ages 8-13 with “Mercedes Bombshell Trick.”  Cashin Chizmar was 4-H State Reserve Champion in Hunter Under Saddle Ponies Over 13.2 hands (and not over 14.2 hands) with “Coco.” Alice McCullough was 4-H State Reserve Champion in Hunter Under Saddle Ponies 13.2 hands and Under with “Tequila Mockingbird,” and Alice was also the 4-H State Reserve Champion in Low Working Hunter Ponies with “Tequila Mockingbird.”  Finally, Evangelina Urban was the 4-H State Reserve Champion in Beginner Equitation with “Sightline.” 

Congratulations to all Northampton County riders and their horses!