Hippology contests were held recently at Jacob's Church, Lynn Township. The event was coordinated by Kelly Weisner with 90 participants from nine counties.

Hipppology means the study of horses.

Weisner said many 4-H horse club members have their own horses, but some people come just to learn even though they are horseless. It is as close as they can come to having a horse, Weisner said.

The benefits extend beyond horse knowledge. Youth gain skills in being in a contest, taking a test, timed decision making and teamwork.

"Several groups use it as a practice for entering the state contest," Weisner said. The state competition is held in August in Harrisburg. Weisner said the region had some members go on to the national level after a state win.

There was silence as 4-H members took the test. This is serious business to them. The written test began 9 a.m.

One end of the room was filled with tables (stations) which have horse equipment or posters depicting something horse centered such as a picture of teeth. A numbered answer sheet had space for an alphabetical answer to a question such as the name of a specific tooth or the empty space between the front and back teeth. An indicated part of a harness may have to be named as part of the test.

The volunteers have been instrumental in the entire horse program, said Weisner, including regular meetings and shows.

Lehigh County holds its shows at the Berks County 4-H Center near Leesport. The county show will be July 19. Northampton also has a 4-H facility.

There is a Regional Horse Bowl for all ages: novice, junior and senior.

Lehigh County has two horse clubs. Anyone interested in joining should call 610-391-9840 for information.

Jo Lee Muller, Hippology chairman, said this was the first year Lehigh County was running the program. She said some kids get really frustrated but everyone who comes learns more and more each year.

Muller is on the Lehigh County Development Board and said it is amazing how many kids 4-H touches when afterschool programs and camps are included. For the county there are 1,000 4-H participants.

In January there is a leadership program and. State Days are held in August. State Days events include competitions in horse judging, robotics and "questing" which is like a scavenger hunt except people look for facts, not items, plus many more competitions.

Campers can become counselors in training and then volunteer counselors over the years.

"It's wonderful the life skills they teach these kids. Kids run the activities at camp," Muller said and added adult volunteers learn so much, too. Lehigh County uses Camp Shehaqua in the Poconos. The camps have motivational speakers and dances.

There are categories of clubs for most interests.

"We try to teach community service. They collect food for food pantries, Toys for Tots and trail rides for St. Jude's Hospital. I'd like to see them involved in therapeutic riding programs, Muller said.

While other events were being scored, participants could go to the church where they gave demonstrations either as an individual or as a team. Participants were able to illustrate their talks with PowerPoint presentations, toy horses, grooming tools, posters and more.

The biggest problem was getting the timing right. Each speaker had to give a talk of a certain length depending on whether they were juniors or seniors.

Talks were on safety helmets, treating burns, dressing for the show ring and grooming among the many.

Muller was thanked for the organizational job she did and she in turn thanked Kelly Weisner for her help. Flowers were given to volunteers such as Jane Wessner who prepared the written tests and awards were handed out to the 4-H members.

Jacquie Stayner of Horse Lovers.com presented $50 gift certificates for a drawing to a junior and a senior competitor.

"I really support the 4-H program and thank the parents for bringing them," Muller said.