Robeson County 4-H makes History on Horseback

It was another first today. A fabulous first today. One that we have come close to in the past but today, thanks to a sister team, put Robeson County on the map.

Caylee, age 11, and Taylor, age 9, Holden of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club travelled to Raleigh with on thing on their agenda, competing at the 4-H State Horse Show in Presentations. Now if you are wondering, this is not a new riding category. It is the same demonstration speech that most of our youth will give during 4-H Congress in a couple of weeks. The difference is all horse public speaking and presentation categories on the state level are given two weeks earlier as part of the 4-H state horse show. The Holden sisters were one of two team presenters and one of 21 presentations from around the state. There were also 12 public speakers from around the state competing at the same time.

The girls got up very early to hit the road by 6:30 a.m. Travelling with them were their dad, Perry Holden, club leader Libby Burney, our Extension Intern Amanda Hiott, and of course their 4-H Agent Shea Ann DeJarnette. The crowd hit the road early because this presentation which takes place at the Jim Graham building on the State Fairgrounds, is a first come first serve event. The ladies were 14th in line to compete, which meant they watched the ones before and after to make sure they didn't forget anything.

When it was their turn the sisters got up and showed a room full of people how to make a horse first aid kit. They not only had a power point presentations but an actual kit they had made especially for this event. The judges asked a few questions and then it was all over. Just waiting for the others to present and then the judges decision.

Since they are a mixed age team they compete in the age category for the older member. That means they were competing in the 11-13 age division. They placed 6th in their age division and first in our Robeson County History as the first team from our county to compete in the Horse Division at the state level!

Congratulations Holden girls and the St. Paul's 4-H Pony club on this incredible honor.