The 2025 USPC Research Project Fair in Review

By Liz Moyer, USPC Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator

The results are in, and a recap of the 2025 USPC Research Project Fair shows that there is no slowing down for this popular Pony Club activity. The 2025 competition, presented by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and supported by The Equestrian College Advisor; Kentucky Equine Research; and Michigan State University, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine; saw some amazing projects and a new record high for participation.

What is the USPC Research Project Fair

The USPC Research Project Fair is an opportunity for members of all ages and certification levels to explore their curiosity about horses and equine-related topics. Options include experimental projects, literature reviews, group projects, and a virtual fair for members unable to travel to the USPC Convention. Participants present their findings with a visual display and a short presentation to a panel of judges with backgrounds in STEM research and education, veterinary medicine, and equine management.

The 2025 USPC Research Project Fair was held in conjunction with the 2025 USPC Convention, which took place January 22–26 in Traverse City, Mich. Topics ranged from feed to footing, as well as equine behavior, performance, and diseases such as anaplasmosis and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).

A total of 51 participants wowed the judges with their research skills, scientific methodology, thought process and presentations. Organizer Yvette Seger, who has coordinated the USPC Research Project Fair since 2015, notes that participation is not only growing, but also includes repeat participants.

“I continue to be amazed both by the growth in participants in the Research Project Fair, but also the number of individuals who continue to participate year after year,” she said.

A Village of Volunteers Behind the Scenes

It takes a village to make the USPC Research Project Fair happen each year, including sponsors and judges.

“As the Fair gets bigger and bigger, so do our needs for volunteers who are willing to share their expertise and provide constructive feedback to the participants,” shared Seger. “The Research Project Fair is fortunate to have many volunteers who believe in the program as much as I do and eagerly offer their time to project assessments.”

Shawna Herrala, a Pony Club alum and director of digital technology for supporting sponsor Kentucky Equine Research, returned to serve on the judging panel and provided guidance for future projects during an educational workshop.

“I am honored to be invited back to judge the Research Project Fair,” said Herrala in this article for Equinews presented by Kentucky Equine Research. “From younger members still in elementary school to college-aged participants, each year I am inspired getting to see so many projects that are above and beyond what would be expected of their respective grade level.” (Read more from Herrala’s recap here.)

Supporting the Future

Longtime presenting sponsor Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is proud to support the next generation of scientists, equine researchers and future veterinarians.

“As a Pony Club graduate myself, I know the importance of investing in and fostering our youth to think creatively about their future in the equine industry,” said Holly E. White, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s director of development. “Pony Club is how I got my first introduction to veterinary medicine and horsemanship over a decade ago. Grayson is proud to be able to contribute to fostering the next generation of young budding investigators. We hope to see them someday seek out Grayson for our Career Development Awards or Research Grants to serve the health and wellness of the horse for years to come.”

“I was very impressed by the subject matter and innovative approaches to their study designs,” said Johnny Mac Smith, DVM, veterinary consultant and A. Gary Lavin research chair, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “This is such a great program in so many ways.”

Additional support for this year’s fair was provided by The Equestrian College Advisor; Kentucky Equine Research; and Michigan State University, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine.

Congratulations to all Pony Club members who participated in the 2025 USPC Research Project Fair, presented by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and supported by The Equestrian College Advisor, Kentucky Equine Research, and Michigan State University, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine.

2025 USPC Research Project Fair Winners (In Person)

Individual Experimental Project (9–10 years of age)
First Place: Don’t Be Salty presented by Emmalee A., Carolina Region

Individual Experimental Project (11–13 years of age)
First Place: Which Type of Boot Traps the Most Heat? presented by Emma S., Midsouth Region
Second Place: All In Stride presented by Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region
Third Place: Paige’s Potion (Homemade Pony Shampoo) vs. Store Brands presented by Paige R., Red River and Northern Lakes Regions

Individual Experimental Project (14–17 years of age)
First Place: Alfalfa Hay Field Analysis presented by Juliana D., Sierra Pacific Region
Second Place: Does Grooming Reduce Horses Heart Rate After Exercise? presented by Andoline H., Capital Region

High-Score Individual Experimental Project: Juliana D., Sierra Pacific Region

Group Experimental Project
First Place: What is the Best Cleaner to Remove Mildew from Leather Tack? presented by Hayden I., Hailey I., Cale H., and Jordan H., North Central Prairie Region
Second Place: Frolicking Into Footing presented by James M. and Reagan C., North Central Prairie Region

High-Score Group Experimental Project: Hayden I., Hailey I., Cale H., and Jordan H., North Central Prairie Region

Individual Literature Review (9–10 years of age)
First Place: EPM: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment presented by Nathalie W., Red River Region

Individual Literature Review (11–13 years of age)
First Place: Women in Horse-tory presented by Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region
Second Place: Toxic Plants: A Ticking Time Bomb in Your Pasture presented by Elaine F., Great Lakes Region
Third Place: Mirror, Mirror, on the…Whorl? presented by Lily A., Northern Lakes Region

Individual Literature Review (14–17 years of age)
First Place: Lethal White Foal Syndrome presented by Cadence O., Lake Shore Region

Individual Literature Review (18–25 years of age)
First Place: Unraveling the Equine Microbiome: Investigating Its Impact on Health Outcomes presented by Claire R., Central New England Region
Second Place: Shipping Safely: Leg Protection While Traveling presented by Anne Laurel D., Carolina Region

High-Score Individual Literature Review: Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region
Congratulations to Aubree Rose for earning a perfect score of 105!

Group Literature Review:
First Place: The Effects and Treatment of Anaplasmosis in Horses presented by Kimberly C., Elle C., and Frank C., Delmarva Region
Second Place: A Literature Review on Equine Digestion and Feeding presented by Rachel S. and Luis A., Lake Shore Region
Third Place: Ingredient Differences in the MSM Supplements presented by Marian W., Jacquelyn W., Lailah D., and Clara M., Great Lakes Region

High-Score Group Literature Review: Kimberly C., Elle C., and Frank C., Delmarva Region

2025 USPC Research Project Fair Winners (Virtual)

Individual Experimental Project (9–10 years of age)
First Place: Beat Beat – Do You Know? presented by Landon B., Southern California Region

Individual Experimental Project (11–13 years of age)
First Place: The Effect of Body Protector Thickness on Force of Impact presented by Evie M., Virginia Region
Second Place: Grooming and Recovery presented by Rebekah D., Southern California Region
Third Place: Does the Horse’s Shoulder Angle Affect Their Performance? presented by Aiden B., Southern California Region

Individual Experimental Project (14–17 years of age)
First Place: Quantifying Impact Resistance: An Experimental Analysis of Force Distribution on Equestrian Helmets Under Simulated Weight Drop Conditions presented by Madelyn M., Eastern Pennsylvania Region
Second Place: The Effectiveness of Anthelmintics in Horses presented by Ella A., Eastern Pennsylvania Region

High-Score Individual Experimental Project: Madelyn M., Eastern Pennsylvania Region

Individual Literature Review (9–10 years of age)
First Place: Horses in World War I presented by Benji S, Lake Shore Region

Individual Literature Review (14–17 years of age)
First Place: Longevity and the Equine Gut Microbiome presented by Victoria Z., Northwest Region
Second Place: A Retrospective Look at Arabian vs. Thoroughbred Breeding presented by Isabella M., Southern California Region
Third Place: Should You Remove Wolf Teeth? presented by Brice D., Sierra Pacific Region
Fourth Place: Horse Brain presented by Isabella E., Old Dominion Region

Individual Literature Review (18–25 years of age)
First Place: A Look Within: Pill Cameras Changing Equine Medicine presented by Jocelyn H., Delmarva Region

Individual Literature Review (26 years and up)
First Place: No Sweat? Big Problem!: Anhidrosis presented by Lydia E., South Region

High-Score Individual Literature Review: Victoria Z., Northwest Region

Group Literature Review
First Place: A Study on Moon Blindness presented by Isabella M and Imani H., Southern California Region
Second Place: Taking the Suspense Out of Suspensory Ligament Injuries presented by Abigail B. and Lilliana S., Midsouth Region

High-Score Group Literature Review: Isabella M and Imani H., Southern California Region

Group Experimental Project
First Place: Ideal Conformation of Eventers presented by Sarah F. and Aly H., Rio Grande Region
Second Place: Mares vs. Gelding Treat Preference presented by Kaylee R., Kora G., Adler W. and Lux H., North Central Prairie Region
Third Place: Do Horses Prefer Fresh Carrots or Carrot-Flavored Treats? presented by Freya J. and Tinley O., Rio Grande Region

High-Score Group Experimental Project: Sarah F. and Aly H., Rio Grande Region

Special Thanks to Our 2025 Judges

In-Person & Virtual Fair:

• Eben Haber, PhD
• Shawna Herrala
• Amy Fidler
• Candy Tavormina

In-Person Fair:

• Melissa Dabadie
• Sandra Gebhart, DVM
• Linda Short Lowe
• Jennifer Rupp
• Becky Williams

Virtual Fair:

• Angela Bricker
• Kathy Selking
• Ruth Smith
• Lorri Witkowski
• Cole Wolf, PhD

Organizers: Yvette R. Seger, PhD; Candy Tavormina

Be Part of the USPC Research Fair

If this all sounds like fun, it’s never too early to start coming up with ideas for the next USPC Research Project Fair. You don’t have to wait until January when applications are due!

Find tips to start planning your project here, and look for details about the upcoming Research Project Fair: www.ponyclub.org/activities/comp-opportunities