Tuesday, May 14, 2019

4-H Horse Program Update

NC 4-H Horse Program Newsletter

Volume 5, Issue 3 May 2019
Horse Judging Contest Results
The 2019 N.C. 4-H Horse Judging contest was held April 13 at Martin Community College in Williamston, NC. The contest featured nine classes; three halter and six performance. 84 4-H’ers competed in the following divisions: Junior Rookie, Senior Rookie, Junior, and Senior. New for 2019, the rookie division was for youth that had never competed in a horse judging contest before. Holly Riddick from Perquimans County and Melody Gosnell from Duplin County won the junior and senior champion awards.

In the junior division, the Cabarrus county team coached by Laura Harper took first place honors. Champion team member Abby Ragan was also the high individual in halter. High Junior individual in performance, reasons and overall was Kealy Reynolds from Cabarrus County. Kealy was coached by Ashleigh Miller.

The Johnston county senior team, coached by Kate McAlinn and Wendy Shepherd won the champion team plaque. Champion team member EmmaRose Church won high individual in performance. Cassandra Sigmon from Alamance County won first place in halter, oral reasons and overall for the senior division.

State 4-H Horse Show
The annual NC state 4-H Horse Show will be held July 10-14, 2019 at the Governor JB Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, NC. To access the show schedule, class list, photographer information, hotel information, stall decorating contest criteria, dressage exhibitor information, consignment procedures and directions to the complex, please click the following link.


Just a reminder that if you competed at the South, East and West districts, your state show entries must be postmarked by May 15. If you qualified but did not pick up your packet with the signed, state entry form, please email the agent that was in charge of your show so that it can be mailed to you:

East: Ashley Brooks albrook4@ncsu.edu
West: Tammara Talley tammara_cole@ncsu.edu 
South: Jessica Drake jessica_drake@ncsu.edu

If you compete in the North District qualifying show, your entries must be postmarked by May 30.
Vendors and Sponsors Needed!
We are looking for class and division sponsors, vendors and advertisers (including “Good Luck” ads) for the show program. A special award will be presented during the Opening Ceremony to the county 4-H Horse Program that sells the most sponsorships/ads.


Wake County Banner Form – Proceeds from the sale of these banners will help to provide scholarships and offset travel expenses for NC 4-H Horse Teams representing North Carolina at National Competitions.

Stall Decorating Contest
The entry form for the 2019 NC State 4-H Horse Show stall decorating contest will be sent out with the county stall assignments (mid-June) and must be completed by June 30, indicating the stall numbers to be judged within a county delegation. The entire delegation does not have to participate. There will be a small, medium, and large division (based on the number of stalls in the group). The break down within divisions will be announced after entries have been received. Stalls must be ready to be judged on Friday morning at 8:00 AM and the winners will be announced at the opening ceremonies Friday night. Decorations should remain up through noon on Saturday.

Stalls will be judged on the following criteria: 40% Neatness & Eye Appeal (Eye catching design and visual appeal); 30% Originality & Creativity (Exceptional use of creative ideas and originality to the design); 30% Craftsmanship (Well-constructed and neat materials). The theme of this year’s stall decorating contest is “A Night at the Theater.”

NC 4-H Photo Contest
In addition to the NC 4-H Horse Program Artistic Expression Contest photo contest, NC 4-H holds a photography contest. There is a new category for 2019 titled "Sports." Since horseback riding is a sport, here is another chance to showcase those amazing photos you capture of horses and riders displaying their talents. For more information, see the contest site linked below.

All entries must be postmarked by May 25.

Artistic Expression
If you completed an online entry form for the 2019 Artistic Expression contests, an invoice was emailed to the address you provided. If you did not receive the invoice, please check your spam and contact EHH if you have any questions or concerns. Entry fees are due May 19.
2019 Horsemanship Camp
The 2019 Horsemanship camp will be held June 9-14, 2019 in Ellerbe, NC. Only a few spots are left! Improve your horsemanship skills while having fun with other 4-H’ers. A highly qualified camp staff will introduce the beginning rider to the basics of horsemanship while advanced riders can learn new and better horsemanship skills and showing techniques.

State 4-H Horse Presentation & Public Speaking Contests
Attention all Public Speaking and Presentation contestants: the NC State 4-H Horse Communications Contest will take place July 20, 2019. In order to attend, you MUST qualify at your designated District Activity Day. Dates for the District Activity Days may be found on the calendar of events.

2019 Candace Norman Award
Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 Candace Norman Outstanding Service Award. Two winners, a youth and adult, will be selected. Please consider nominating a deserving youth and/or adult that meets the criteria listed below:
 
Criteria/Selection Process: The selection process will focus strongly on the nominee who exhibits true dedication 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. We feel that this reflects the lifelong commitment Candace made to our program and will encourage youth to continue striving for major accomplishments through setting and achieving goals. Candace was a role model for so many 4-H participants, adult volunteers, and associates, and the future of our program is dependent on more people being likewise dedicated. This award is displayed at the Hunt Horse Complex (NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh), where Candace spent a countless number of hours over the years working in the show office.
 
The 2019 winners will be announced on July 12, during the evening classes, at the North Carolina State 4-H Horse Show in Raleigh.
 
Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships
IMPORTANT: 2019 Southern Regional 4-H Horse Show entries will close PROMPTLY AT 12:00 Noon at the State 4-H Horse Show Office on Sunday July 14, 2019. All entries must be submitted by this deadline and location. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED BEYOND THE 12:00 Noon DEADLINE. All 4-H members, regardless of participation at the State Show, including points earned, are eligible to enter the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Show and must do so by the 12 noon deadline whether they have or have not finished showing. Priority will be given to entries according to rules listed in the 4-H Horse Program Rules and Regulations Manual.
 
NC 4-H Horse Program Digital Survey Results
From November 2018 to January 2019, a research study was conducted to examine and evaluate how current digital resources that are shared via the North Carolina Extension Equine Husbandry website and social media are being utilized and if they are meeting the needs of the NC 4-H Horse Program stakeholders: 4-H members, parents, Extension agents, and adult volunteers that participate in, lead, and advise 4-H Horse clubs in North Carolina. Based on feedback from the survey, the following improvements to digital tools will be made over the next twelve months:
•     Maintain and promote existing social media platforms
•     Employ Constant Contact to send website update alerts
•     Develop an app to house state 4-H horse show information, that will also send messages and deliver alerts during the show
•     Create a North Carolina 4-H Horse Program YouTube Channel with content to initially focus on horse judging
•     Expand teaching resources (open a Moodle project page with contest preparation materials for leaders)
•     Add links to frequently used forms to the website (project record books, portfolios, 4-H enrollment)
•     Research best methods for creating and maintaining a "request for information" page to the website
•     Simplify the existing menu structure of the website to include the following headings: rules, contests, shows, forms, results, calendar, workshops, and a new members’ corner
•     Update existing references to the Rules and Regulations Manual so users are directed to the pages in the manual where the rules for that event are located

Thank you to everyone that participated in the focus-group meetings and those that completed the online survey. Your input and feedback are appreciated and will be used to improve and expand the digital resources that are offered by the NC 4-H Horse Program!
Check out this opportunity from the NCQHA! They have 4-H classes at the Liver River Circuit and they are having a drawing for a free stall for a 4-H exhibitor!
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EVENTS | View Calendar
June
9-14
4-H Horsemanship Camp
June
24-26
West District 4-H Horsemanship Clinic
June
14
South Central DAD
July
10-14
NC State 4-H Horse Show
June
21
Northeast, Southeast, North Central, West DAD
July
20
State 4-H Horse Presentation & Public Speaking Contests
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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.

Extension's 4-H program is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina. We help over 247,000 young people grow into active, contributing citizens each year.