Punnett Squares, Heart Rate Variability, and NRC Guidelines! USPC Research Project Fair Participants Impress Judges in 2024

Pony Club members have always been known as a studious bunch, which may explain the impressive research projects on display this year at the United States Pony Clubs (USPC) Convention.

With topics ranging from feed analysis to composting bedding and coat color genetics to the effect of horses on human heart rate variability, the participants blew away the judges with their experimental projects and literature reviews. As part of Kentucky Equine Research’s continued support for this event, Shawna White, director of digital technology for the company and a Pony Club graduate, returned to serve on the judging panel.

“I am continually impressed by all the participants in the USPC Research Project Fair. The thought that each participant puts into planning his or her project and attention to detail throughout the research, collection, and analysis phases consistently shows a maturity far beyond their peers,” said White.

Participants in the USPC Research Project Fair can compete as individuals or in a group and choose between an experimental project or an in-depth literature review. They present their results to a panel of experts composed of veterinarians, vet techs, scientific researchers, teachers, and Pony Club graduates virtually or in-person at the USPC Convention.

“I think this is Shawna’s favorite day of the year,” quipped organizer Yvette Seger, Ph.D., during introductions at the event.

“It is definitely one of my favorite days,” responded White, “As a longtime judge, I have enjoyed watching participants come back year after year, exploring different topics, tackling more complex projects, and now going on to college to pursue scientific careers. My favorite question to ask is what the participants want to do for their next project because it is wonderful to see the spark of inquisitiveness and potential for further research in each presentation.”

Are you interested in a career in equine research? The Kentucky Equine Research internship program offers college students the practical experience necessary to understand and implement research protocols. Kentucky Equine Research interns participate in the performance of standardized exercise tests on a high-speed treadmill, recording of data during experiments, and collection of samples during digestion trials and exercise trials. Learn more.

 

2024 USPC Research Project Fair Winners (In-Person)

Individual Experimental Project (9-10 years of age)

First place: “How Do Different Genres of Music Affect a Horse’s Mood?” presented by Emma S., Carolina Region

Second place: “Vinegar and Water vs. Fancy White Brightener Pony Shampoo” presented by Paige R., Northern Lakes Region

 

Individual Experimental Project (11-13 years of age)

First place: “Which Picks Up More Debris – Shod or Barefoot? Does Footing Type Play a Role?” presented by Lilliana S., Midsouth Region

Second place: “How Does Conditioning Make a Difference?” presented by Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region

 

Individual Experimental Project (14-17 years of age)

First place: “Complete Performance Horse Feed Analysis” presented by Juliana D., Sierra Pacific Region

Second place: “Warm-blood vs. Cold Blood” presented by Katherine M., Delmarva Region

Third place: “Thrush” presented by Jenavieve F., Delmarva Region

 

High Score Individual Experimental Project: “Complete Performance Horse Feed Analysis” presented by Juliana D., Sierra Pacific Region

 

Individual Literature Review (9-10 years of age)

First place: “Hay Bale Slow Feeding Nets: The Advantages and Disadvantages” presented by Lily B., Northwest Region

Second place: “Masterson Method” presented by Juliet O., Sierra Pacific Region

 

Individual Literature Review (11-13 years of age)

First place: “Breaking the Horse Brain Code” presented by Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region

Second place: “Equine Memory” presented by Imani Hussein., Southern California Region

Third place: “Red Head or Lyme Horse: Is It My Horse’s Personality or Could He hAve Lyme Disease?” presented by Ryleigh A., Maryland Region

Fourth place: “Mane Matters: Crisis Care for Horses” presented by Lily A., Northern Lakes Region

Fifth place: “All About Appaloosas” presented by Annabelle K., Inland Empire Region

 

Individual Literature Review (14-17 years of age)

First place: “Horse Bedding” presented by Pyper A., Sierra Pacific Region

Second place: “The Shortage of Equine Veterinarians” presented by Marie-Charlotte G., Sierra Pacific Region

Third place: “Lana Wright” presented by Jenavieve F., Delmarva Region

 

Individual Literature Review (18-25 years of age)

First place: “Season of the Ticks” presented by Michaela F., Midwest Region

 

High Score Individual Literature Review: “Breaking the Horse Brain Code” presented by Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region

 

2024 USPC Research Project Fair Winners (Virtual)

 

Individual Experimental Project (8 years of age and under)

First place: “To Bit or Not To Bit?” presented by Landon B., Southern California Region

 

Individual Experimental Project (11-13 years of age)

First place: “Who Learns Faster — Mares or Geldings?” presented by Andoline H., Capital Region

Second place: “Effects of Feeding Flaxseed Meal to Horses” presented by Cadence O., Lake Shore Region

Third place: “Two Minds, One Heart” presented by Aiden B., Southern California Region

 

Individual Experimental Project (14-17 years of age)

First place: “Interaction Correlation of Equus Caballus to Human Coherent Heart Rhythm through Heart Rate Variability Analysis” presented by Adeline T., Metropolitan Region

Second place: “The Backbone of Equine-Assisted Services: A Qualitative Study on Volunteer Motivation” presented by Isabella M., Southern California Region

 

High Score Individual Experimental Project: “Interaction Correlation of Equus Caballus to Human Coherent Heart Rhythm through Heart Rate Variability Analysis” presented by Adeline T., Metropolitan Region

 

Group Experimental Project

First place: “SCEC Masters Horse Personality Profile” presented by Erica S., Anne T., Amy W., Susan N., Andrew W., Jennifer S., Megan S., Sierra Pacific Region

 

High Score Group Experimental Project: “SCEC Masters Horse Personality Profile” presented by Erica S., Anne T., Amy W., Susan N., Andrew W., Jennifer S., Megan S., Sierra Pacific Region

 

Individual Literature Review (11-13 years of age)

First place: “Equine Coat Color Genetics” presented by Esmé T., Southern California Region

 

Individual Literature Review (14-17 years of age)

First place: “Classical to Contemporary: The Historical Evolution of English-Style Riding” presented by Sara R., Sierra Pacific Region

Second place: “The Effects of Bodywork on Horses” presented by Harper H., Northwest Region

 

Individual Literature Review (18-25 years of age)

First place: “EOTRH: A Dental Problem Gaining Recognition” presented by Lydia E., South Region

Second place: “Right Under Our Noses — The Noseband Controversy” presented by Charlotte T., Northwest Region

Third Place: “Compostability of Different Types of Bedding” presented by Jocelyn H., Delmarva Region

 

Individual Literature Review (26 years of age and above)

First place: “Colic in Equines” presented by David H., Southern California Region

First place: “Fungus Among Us” presented by Kathleen C., Southwest Region

 

High Score Individual Literature Review: “Equine Coat Color Genetics” presented by Esmé T., Southern California Region

 

Group Literature Review

First place: “Mustangs in America” presented by Aubree Rose S. and Benji S., Lake Shore Region

Second place: “The Amazing Digestive System of the Horse” presented by Brielle F. and Erinn D., Delmarva Region

 

High Score Group Literature Review: “Mustangs in America” presented by Aubree Rose S. and Benji S., Lake Shore Region