Volume 9 | Issue 2 | May 2023

2023 NC State 4-H Horse Judging Contest

The 2023 NC State 4-H and FFA Horse Judging Contests were held on April 15 at Martin Community College. One-hundred and seven 4-H’ers competed in the Senior, Senior Rookie, Junior, and Junior Rookie divisions. Contestants placed three halter, and six performance classes. Special thanks to the staff and students of Martin Community College for hosting the event and allowing us to use their excellent facilities. 

The sponsors of this year's contest were the South Central District 4-H Horse Council, Mr. Bill Crouse, Ms. Kate McAlinn, and the Wake County 4-H Horse Program.

The champion Junior Judging team was the Cabarrus Harper 1 team coached by Laura Harper. Team members were Emery Atkinson, Anna Yemtchuk, Skyler Hicks, Madison Bishop. The champion Senior team was the Chatham County team coached by Ruth Vorder Bruegge and Mary Dickerson. Team members were Samantha Durham, Sara Richardson, Austen Stinson-Miller, Kyra Worth.

For additional detailed results, visit this link on the website.

2023 NC State 4-H Horse Artistic Expression and Creative Writing Contests

Registration for all Artistic Expression and Creative Writing contests is open until June 1. The deadline for entry fees to be received by NC State Extension Equine Husbandry is June 15.

For additional details and information about the contests, please visit this page.

The Artistic Expression contests provide an educational opportunity for participants to exhibit their artistic skills, in a variety of different events, pertaining to horses and the 4-H horse project. Exhibits must be submitted in the dining room of the James B. Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh at the NC 4-H State Horse Show on July 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entries will be judged beginning at 5 p.m. Exhibits will be on display on July 8 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and projects and awards can be picked up from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

The goals of the Horse Creative Writing Events are to provide an outlet for written expression for the 4-H member on horse-related topics while encouraging youth to express their experiences and ideas in a creative manner. Furthermore, the Creative Writing Contests will recognize youth who have creative writing talent by expressing their ideas through writing. Each participant must be a current 4-H club member. Participants do not need to own their own horses.

2023 Horsemanship Camp at Camp Millstone

We still have a few spots left to register your camper for Horsemanship Camp, June 18-23 at Millstone 4-H Camp in Ellerbe, NC. You do not need to be an active 4-H member to come to camp. Campers must be between 8-18 at the time of camp and must provide their own horse (they do not need to own the horse). For more information please visit our website or email Alaina for more information at Alaina_Cross@ncsu.edu or Heather at Camp Millstone at hmhenry2@ncsu.edu.

2023 NC State 4-H Horse Show

2023 Candace Norman Service Award Application

Nominate a deserving youth and/or adult volunteer for the 2023 Candace Norman Service Award! Applications are due June 10.  Winners will be announced during the Friday night Opening Ceremonies at the State 4-H Horse Show.  These awards are sponsored by the North Central District, in memory of long-time NC 4-H Horse Program and Orange county volunteer, Candace Norman. They are given annually to a 4-H youth member and adult volunteer who exhibit true dedication to and embodies all the characteristics and morals of 4-H – a well-rounded person who strives to make the community a better place through example and leadership.  

2023 Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships

North Carolina can send 70 horses and exhibitors to the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in Perry, Georgia August 2-6, 2023. Entry forms for the show will be included in the exhibitor packets at the State 4-H Horse Show and will be due Sunday, July 9 at noon (in the state show office). 

One qualifying position is reserved for a 4-H member exhibiting in Roping classes and one position is reserved for the highest Dressage Division ride score from either the Training or First-Level Dressage classes at the State Show. The State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee executive committee shall select a 4-H member based upon participation in 4-H Horse Program activities and performance in roping events.

Exhibitors wishing to be considered as a Roping representative must submit a letter requesting consideration to the NC State 4-H Horse Program office before the State 4-H Horse Show. Individuals can submit their letter via email to llstroud@ncsu.edu.

Congratulations, Taylor Cloer!

Taylor Cloer has been an undergraduate student intern in the NCSU Extension Equine Husbandry office since 2020. She has been instrumental in organizing the state contests, managing the state show, preparing study materials for our national travel teams, and preparing the monthly newsletters! Her past experience as a long time 4-H horse program member and competitor made her an invaluable asset to the program. Taylor will be graduating from NCSU with degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Business Management. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors and can't wait to have her back as a volunteer!

2023 NC 4-H Horse Program Calendar of Events

Click the hyperlink above for a full list of all events, including contact information and links to pages with more information. An abbreviated list of upcoming events is below.

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