NC 4-H'ers Sweep Eastern National 4-H Team Titles

The North Carolina 4-H Horse Program made history at the 2023 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, Kentucky, being the first state to ever win all four team contests in the same year: Hippology, Horsebowl, Communications, and Horse Judging. In addition to the team titles, three North Carolina 4-H’ers won high individual awards and $500 scholarships for their performances in their respective contests. Union County 4-H’er Elena Hamilton won top honors in Hippology, Faith Waelz from Gaston County captured first in Public Speaking, and Chatham County 4-H’er Austen Stinson-Miller was the high individual in Horse Judging.

2023 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Team Communications Champions
L to R: Emerson Page, Cayden Lowe, Anastasia Smith, Faith Waelz
Coaches: Cameron Lowe, Jonathon Smith, BJ Waelz

2023 Eastern National Hippology Team Champions
L to R: Saona Wilcox, Sara Richardson, Beth Morgan, Stevie Sharum, Elena Hamilton

2023 Eastern National Champion Horsebowl Team
L to R: Graham Zeiders, Makenah Allred, Chloe Oaks, Mary Dickerson, Jenna Garrison, Kyra Worth

2023 Eastern National Champion Horse Judging Team
L to R: Lori Stroud (NCSU Extension), Samantha Durham, Georgia Wand, Allee Coble, Austen Stinson-Miller, Samantha Taylor, Alaina Cross (NCSU Extension)

2024 Achievement Award Applications due March 1

The NC 4-H Horse Program Achievement Awards recognize the accomplishments of 4-H'ers, with a specific focus on horse program achievements that is cumulative beginning with the applicant’s first year in the horse program. Award levels are on a points-based system that groups like activities completed based on the level of involvement and ranks them. (See the application form for specifics on activities/points/levels).

There are 4 levels of accomplishment that youth can apply to earn annually. Youth can potentially earn more than level (especially the first year they apply).

Bronze: 150 points, bronze patch
Silver: 300 points, silver patch
Gold: 450 points, gold patch
Emerald: 700 points, embroidered jacket

For additional details, the application, and a video on how to complete the application, visit this page on the website: https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/forms-popular-links/nc-4-h-horse-program-achievement-awards/

Inaugural Recreational Riding Rewards Program Applications are due March 1

The Recreational Riding Rewards Program is an annual submission of recreational riding hours logged with an equine partner to earn awards and recognition at the state level. Hours logged follow the rider and may be completed on different horses, either riding or driving. Hours logged must be done on trails, endurance riders, or other organized group rides outside of an arena (fox hunts, beach rides, hunter paces, competitive trail rides, etc.). Arena riding, lesson hours, and horse show hours are not eligible for these awards. Hours logged are cumulative from year to year and will be added over time to achieve the levels of recognition.

When do you apply?

Log forms are due March 1, 2024 (for hours that took place from Jan 1, 2023-Dec 31, 2023).
Awards will be presented at the State 4-H Horse Show in July 2024. If a youth is not present, their award will be mailed to them.
*For the 2023 application, 4-H’ers may record back hours for 2020-2022. Youth can enter a total number of hours for 2020, 2021, and 2022 on a single line for each year.

2024 Youth Training Clinic

Youth and adults interested in learning how to excel as competitors and coaches in competitive 4-H, FFA, and inter-collegiate horse judging contests are invited to attend the training session which will be held on January 13th, 2024. Topics will include organizing and delivering oral reasons, formulating a judging system, and effective use of terminology. The training session will use a variety of video horse judging classes as a model for training on class placing and oral reason training. The clinic participants are divided into four categories based on their experience level (cloverbud, rookie, non-rookie, and adults/coaches) and are then divided into break-out groups that allow for individual attention and hands-on, critical-thinking activities.

You can find out more information, see the schedule, and get the registration link here.

2024 NC 4-H Horse Program Calendar of Events

The 2024 NC 4-H Horse Program Calendar of Events is available for viewing/download. The link provided on the webpage is a dynamic link to a Google Sheet that updates in real time. Be sure to periodically check for updates or changes!

2024 NC 4-H Horse Program Calendar of Events

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

NCSU Extension Equine Husbandry, Box 7621 NCSU, 220 Polk Hall, 120 W. Broughton Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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