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Cape May Court House, NJ — The Cape May County 4-H Equestrian Team proudly competed at the 2025 NJ State 4-H Championship Horse Show, held August 15-17 at the Gloucester County DREAM Park in Logan Township.
The team of seven talented Cape May County 4-H members competed against over 100 top equestrians from across New Jersey in a wide variety of classes, including Dressage, VSE (miniature horses), Driving, English, Western, Ranch, and Games and took home 11 Grand Championships, 9 Reserve Championships, and many more ribbons.
Cape May County’s team included Abigail Kitner, Callie Carney, Grace Barcas, Evie King, Willow Ferguson, and Amelia Menchin all from the Star Hollow Riders 4-H Club, and Brynn Gaynor of the Hy-Riders 4-H Club.
“The individual and team awards are a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our 4-H members, leaders, and volunteers,” said Brittany Rigg, the NJ State 4-H Horse Program Coordinator.
Highlights of Cape May County’s competition:
- Abigail Kitner and her horse, They’ll See in Time, were Grand Champions in Hunter Hack Horse and Jr Equitation on Flat and Reserve Champions in Working Hunter Horse, Handy Working Hunter Horse, Jr Hunter Under Saddle and English Pleasure Horse. They finished 3rd in Jr English Showmanship and Grooming and Jr Equitation Over Fences. Also, Abigail competed with Monkey Bread and won Grand Champion in both Very Small Equine Hunter In-Hand Over Fences and Very Small Equine In-Hand Jumper. Additionally, with the horse, Google It, Abigail finished 3rd in Jr Western Pleasure Horse, 4th in Jr Western Horsemanship, Ranch Riding, and Ranch Rail Pleasure, and 6th in Jr Western Showmanship and Grooming, Western Halter Geldings, Jr Western Trail and Ranch Conformation.
- Callie Carney with Front Dancer won Reserve Champion in Jr Equitation on the Flat, finished 3rd in Working Hunter Horse, 4th in Jr Hunter Under Saddle, 5th in Handy Working Hunter Horse, and 6th in English Hunter Hack.
- Grace Barcas and Pixie Dust won 3 Grand Championships, including English Handy Working Hunter Pony, Working Hunter Pony and Pony Western Pleasure. Grace was Reserve Champion in Jr Equitation Over Fences and Ranch Rail Pleasure, 3rd in Working Hunter Pony, Hunter Hack Pony and Pony Pole Bending. They won 5th in English Pleasure Pony, in the Pony Plug Race, and Pony Barrel Race and finished 6th in Jr English Showmanship and Grooming, Pony Hunter Under Saddle and Jr Pony Western Horsemanship.
- Evie King and her horse Rebel took home Grand Champion in Beginner English Walk Trot, English Equitation on Flat, Beginner Walk/Jog Ranch Pleasure and Beginner Walk/Jog Plug Race. The duo were Reserve Champions in both English Beginner Halter and English Beginner Walk Trot Hunter Hack, 3rd in Beginner Walk/Jog Ranch Riding, 4th in Beginner Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle, 5th in Beginner English Showmanship and Grooming, Beginner Walk/Trot English Pleasure and Beginner Western Walk/Jog Pleasure and 6th in Beginner Western Walk/Jog Horsemanship.
- Brynn Gaynor and I can Buy Myself Flowers finished 3rd in Jr English Pony Hunter Under Saddle and Working Hunter Pony. She claimed 5th in Western Halter Mares and Pony Western Pleasure, and 6th in Jr English Pleasure Pony.
- Willow Ferguson and Flash’s Adventure were Grand Champions in Jr English Equitation Over Fences, finished 4th in Handy Working Hunter Horse, 5th in Working Hunter Horse and English Hunter Hack, and 6th in Jr Hunter Under Saddle.
- Amelia Menchin and Monopolys Chance finished 3rd in Jr English Equitation on the Flat and 5th in Pony Hunter Under Saddle.
Cape May County’s own Nathaniel McCrone, who was the 2024 NJ 4-H Senior Equestrian of the Year, attended the show’s opening ceremonies, where he helped sash this year’s Equestrian of the Year Contest winners.
Cape May County 4-H congratulates these dedicated riders. “We are so proud of their efforts and accomplishments at the state competition, which highlight the outstanding equestrian opportunities available in the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program,” said Linda Horner, Cape May County 4-H Program Coordinator.
The new 4-H Year started on September 1st, and we are accepting new members. If you would like to learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program or if you are interested in joining a 4-H club, call (609) 465-5115, ext. 3606, visit https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/ or email linda.horner@CAPEMAYCOUNTYNJ.GOV.
The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers 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.
