4-H Empowers Youth
There is no doubt that the 4-H roots are in Agriculture. A movement began in the early 1900’s through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use the Land Grant College System to train and educate young people in the best techniques available for success in agriculture. At that time, the leadership in USDA reasoned that change in agriculture in America would occur more rapidly if youth were trained, thus establishing the basis for youth agriculture clubs.
Over the years, 4-H has evolved far beyond its original roots. Today 4-H youth can explore and master skills in a wide and diverse variety of subject areas: animal sciences, plant sciences, environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences, healthy lifestyles, science and technology, communication and expressive arts, leadership development, and career development. Through the involvement of caring adults and with the knowledge and resources of the land grant university system, 4-H empowers youth to become healthy, productive, and contributing members of society.
As part of the animal sciences track, 4-H supports a strong equine program that offers youth who are interested in learning about and working with their equine friends a safe, healthy and productive environment to enhance and practice their skills. The 4-H program year for horse project participants culminates in a Regional Championship competition hosted by one of the states in the southern region comprised of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Regional Championship competition offers contests in horse showing, horse bowl, hippology, horse judging, individual demonstration, team demonstration, and public speaking. Participants are required to qualify at their state level contests to participate in the Regional Championship competition.
This month we are highlighting the performance of Brevard County, Florida at the 4-H Regional Championships which were held in Clemson, SC, July 28 – August 1. 4-H in Brevard County, Florida has for many years been a strong program with approximately 300 participating youth.
Tawny Cox: 1st – Western Showmanship, 1st – Western Riding, 2nd – Western Pleasure, 8th ‑ Trail, High Point Western Horse
Chloe Evetts: 1st – Western Horsemanship, 2nd – Western Riding, 10th – Trail, 3rd High Point Western Horse
Deanna Metzger: 4th Saddle Seat Pleasure, 6th Saddle Seat Showmanship, 7th Saddle Seat Halter
Cori Hudson: 1st – TL4 Dressage
Sarah Gillespie: 4th – TL4 Dressage
Megan Devoe: 7th – TL 4 Dressage
Horse Judging Team (Cari Longhofer, Delaney Metzger, Melanie Reinhold, Joanna Reeg):
| Team Placings | Individual Placings |
| 5th – Conformation Judging 5th – Performance Judging 4th – Reasons 5th – Overall |
1st – Cari Longhofer, Conformation Judging 9th – Delaney Metzger, Conformation Judging 5th – Delaney Metzger, Reasons 8th – Cari Longhofer, Reasons 1st – Cari Longhofer, Overall |
Here are just a few of the photos from the 4-H Regional Championships:
If you would like to know more about 4-H in your county, please go the this website http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/. By clicking on your state and then your county, you will be directed to the Extension Service website for your county. The County Extension Service is the arm of the USDA and Land Grant University in your state that supports 4-H.
