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Cape May Court House – Congratulations to Cape May County 4-H’s newest Grand Champions. 4-H horse project members Callie Carney and Abigail Kitner competed in the 2023 NJ State 4-H Invitational Trail Ride at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds on October 8th and came home big winners.
Callie and Abigail, both 6th graders from Upper Township, New Jersey, and members of the Star Hollow Riders 4-H Horse Club, won the title of Grand Champion with their trusty steeds Strawberry and Pixie Dust. They rode a 15-mile trail, with natural obstacles as fast as they could while keeping their ponies’ pulse and respiration within a safe, vet-checked range.
Cape May County 4-H Program Coordinator Linda Horner said, “Cape May County was represented by this small but mighty team of Callie and Abigail, who competed for their first time against 4-H riders from across the state. We are so proud of their accomplishments.”
The New Jersey competitive trail ride is designed to stimulate greater interest in trail riding, to teach proper methods of training and conditioning horses and to encourage good horsemanship and safety on trail rides.
Horner added, “The goal of this competition is to stimulate interest in preserving existing horseback riding trails and encourage the development of many miles of new multi-use trails for present and future New Jersey equestrians.”
To learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program, please call 609-465-5115, ext. 3605, visit our website capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu and like us on Facebook at Cape May 4-H or Instagram at cape_may_4h.
The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station – Cooperative Extension. 4‑H offers educational programs to all youth, grades K–13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
