A team of Union County 4-H members recently won the Western National 4-H Roundup Horse Bowl competition, marking the first time in 20 years that Mississippi competitors have achieved this feat. The team, consisting of Maddie Willard, Abby Grant, Levi Thompson, and Karley Harrison, put in dedicated hours of study and competition to reach the national level.

Competing against college-age teams, the Union County 4-H team, with members aged 15 and 16, emerged victorious in the double-elimination Jeopardy-style question-and-answer competition. The team’s win was a result of years of combined competition experience and hours of studying, despite this being their first year competing together.

The team’s win is a remarkable achievement, not only for the team members but also for their families and coaches. The victory showcases the dedication and drive of the team to represent Mississippi at the national level, with the members expressing their enjoyment of learning about horses through the competition.