4-H members test their knowledge of horses during State Contest.

4-H members test their knowledge of horses during State Contest.

No horsing around at 4-H State Equine contest

Raising horses in Alaska is a lot of hard work, and competing in the 4-H State Horse Contest calls for a lot of hard studying. That’s according to Geri Litzen, who helped organize the state trials that were held on the Kenai Peninsula this year and is the leader of the Northwind Riders in Nikiski.

“We get to host the contest here every four or five years and it’s always nice to have it in our back yard,” said Litzen in an interview with the Dispatch.

Thirty-four kids from 3rd to 12th grades competed in this year’s state trials with 24 of them coming from the Peninsula.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“I’m so very proud of the 12 boys and girls from my Northwind Riders horse club who participated in this year’s contest. Our club worked so hard! I required them to come to study groups weekly or twice a week from September to April 19th. It’s a lot to learn! They also had weekly homework, special speakers, and workshops to attend. These kids did very well, and I was pleased that their diligent effort was reflected in the results,” said Litzen.

The Northwind Riders won both the senior and the junior state championship in Public Presentations.

“Avlynne Wolverton’s presentation, The Building Blocks of Equine Color, on color genetics, was an outstanding and informative speech with a beautiful display board. Avlynne has qualified to compete in nationals, at the Western National Roundups in Denver, Colorado on January 10, 2019. Luthien Collver won for our juniors with her awesome presentation called Giddy up And Go Camping, about overnight horseback camping trips. Luthien was also our junior state champion for Horse Judging. Kellee Martin was our Intermediate who won for Horse Judging which qualified her for nationals as well. Avlynne Wolverton also won for Overall Hippology (the study of horses). Our Senior team also scored a perfect 100 points out of 100 points for Team Problem Solving,” said Litzen.

As the young 4-H members went about their different venues of competition it was apparent that they were doing so without their hand held electronic devices common to most young people today.

“It so refreshing actually. 4-H as a program keeps these kids grounded and really focused on working together as teams and relating to each other. As a team leader I really focus on friendships because it’s so important for them to establish the friendships that are going to be really important for them as they become adults, so I actually do take away their phones and IPad to keep them grounded and even if they don’t own a horse they are welcome in our club. We have a lot of kids that don’t own horses of their own anyone interested in horsemanship is welcome. We start in August and have special guests come in from the community and meet the kids and share their expertise from horse shoeing to first aid. We prepare a lot and in the last month we’ve been meeting together at least twice a week as a group,” explained Litzen.

Anyone interested in participating the 4-H Horse Club may contact Litzen at 907-776-5868.

Contestants were judged on their ability to show and work with horses.

Contestants were judged on their ability to show and work with horses.

More in News

A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Northern Kenai fishing report: Local lakes stocked; Kenai River opens June 11

Some fishers are finding success on the Kasilof and in stocked local lakes.

Western Emergency Services logo. Homer News file photo
Wildfire reported in Ninilchik over holiday weekend

The human-caused fire spread to 1.6 acres before being contained.

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna OKs $170,000 for new police camera system

The existing system was purchased only during the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2024.

Winter Marshall-Allen of the Homer Organization for More Equitable Relations, Homer Mayor Rachel Lord, and Jerrina Reed of Homer PRIDE pose for a photo after the mayoral proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month on Tuesday, May 27 at the Cowles Council Chambers. (Photo courtesy of Winter Marshall-Allen)
City of Homer recognizes Pride Month, Juneteenth

Mayor Rachel Lord brought back the tradition of mayoral proclamations May 12.

File
Potential remains of missing Texas boaters discovered in sunken vessel

The vessel capsized 16 miles west of Homer in Kachemak Bay in August.

A sign for The Goods Sustainable Grocery is seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
New Saturday Market to launch this summer at The Goods

The summer bazaar will feature craftspeople from around the central and southern Kenai Peninsula.

Council member Alex Douthit speaks during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai loosens restrictions on employee purchase of city property

Municipal officers like city council members are still prohibited from buying property.

Mount Spurr is seen from the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, on May 11, 2025. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Likelihood of Spurr eruption continues to decline

Spurr is located about 61 miles away from Kenai and 117 miles away from Homer.

Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce President Dawson Slaughter (left) and Susie Myhill, co-owner of Anchor River Lodge and co-chair for the chamber’s sign committee, unveil the new “most westerly highway point” sign on Tuesday in Anchor Point. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Anchor Point chamber unveils new highway sign

The sign marks the “most westerly” highway point in North America.

Most Read