SDSU Extension 4-H excels at 2026 Western National Roundup

Thirteen youth in cowboy hats and western wear smile for the camera, holding up their ribbons and award plaques

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension 4-H youth excelled at the 2026 Western National Roundup, winning the overall high state award in the Horse Classic.

In the Horse Classic, states can compete in hippology, horse (quiz) bowl, public speaking and judging. Each state accumulates points in each category based on how their teams/individuals perform. The state with the most points at the end of the competition wins the high state award.

“Our kids did awesome,” said Steve Zoss, who coached the hippology team. “It was a fun competition. It’s just fun to see South Dakota do so well.”

SDSU Extension 4-H had an impressive showing in each category, winning second place in the hippology and horse quiz bowl competitions and third as a team in horse judging, along with several individuals placing in the top 10.

Lila Stutzman, of Bon Homme County, placed first individually in the horse quiz bowl competition and Arryanna Schnetzer, also of Bon Homme County, placed fourth. Other team members were Hensley Talsma and Madalynn Stutzman, all of Bon Homme County.

In hippology, Delaney Zoss, of Sanborn County, placed third individually and Hayden Talsma, of Bon Homme County, placed fourth. Other team members were Aedan Klawonn, of Lake County; and Isabella Kolousek, Buffalo/Jerauld counties.

Tarynn Torsney, of Bon Homme County, placed sixth individually in the horse judging competition. Other team members were Cash Martinez, Hutchinson County; Payden Brue, Lincoln County; and Kenley Henke, Hutchinson County.

Hope Baysinger, Sanborn County, placed fifth overall in public speaking.

Kenton Timmons, Deuel County; Natalie Yates, Butte/Lawrence County; Emma Piskule, Brule County; and Jonathan Moe, Brookings County, competed in livestock judging, and placed 16th as a team.

The Western National Roundup brings together 4-H and FFA youth from across the nation to compete, learn and connect through a series of educational contests and leadership events.

The annual contest was Jan. 7-10, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. To compete, youth must qualify at a state-level contest. Throughout the year, Steve Zoss said hippology team members studied the different aspects of the competition – an individual written exam, individual stations, individual judging and a team problem.

“It’s a lot of individual study. They’ve really got to be self-starters with it,” he said.

He added that the team’s strong showing is a testament to the hard work each member put in throughout the year. For some, like his daughter Delaney Zoss, it’s also a culmination of her years of work and study in the 4-H project.

Katie Stutzman agreed. Stutzman, who served as a chaperone on the trip and whose daughters competed on the quiz bowl team, said her older daughter Lila was especially dedicated, committing herself to many hours of study outside of practice.

“The information is so wide, it's incomprehensible what can be thrown at you in the horse bowl,” Katie Stutzman said.

Another thing that helped the horse bowl team is their camaraderie. Stutzman said the team has been together for about a year and a half and works well together. They first competed at the 2025 Black Hills Stock Show and won, then continued that success by winning at the 2025 State 4-H Horse Show, which qualified them to compete in Denver.

“There’s a lot of prep work and they’re dedicated to it. It gives us a good competitive edge when we go out there,” she said. “South Dakota has a really good history of winning high point at nationals.”

Complete team results and top 10 individual results are as follows:

HIPPOLOGY

Team – 2nd place. Team members: Delaney Zoss, Sanborn County; Hayden Talsma, Bon Homme County; Aedan Klawonn, of Lake County; and Isabella Kolousek, Buffalo/Jerauld counties.

Stations individual

Delaney Zoss – 4th
Hayden Talsma – 6th
Aedan Klawonn – 9th

Judging individual

Hayden Talsma – 3rd
Delaney Zoss – 7th
Isabella Kolousek – 10th

Exam individual

Delaney Zoss – 5th

Overall individual

Delaney Zoss – 3rd
Hayden Talsma – 4th

HORSE BOWL

Team – 2nd place. Team members: Arryanna Schnetzer, Hensley Talsma, Lila Stutzman and Madalynn Stutzman, all of Bon Homme County.

Individual

Lila Stutzman – 1st
Arryanna Schnetzer – 4th

HORSE PRESENTATIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Public Speaking: Hope Baysinger, Sanborn County, 5th place

HORSE JUDGING – 4-H

Team overall – 3rd place. Team members: Cash Martinez, Hutchinson County; Payden Brue, Lincoln County; Kenley Henke, Hutchinson County; and Tarynn Torsney, Bon Homme County.

Overall Individual