Agricultural News
Oklahoma 4-H Members Shine in Horse Training Project
Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:51:19 CDT
The State 4-H Horse Show started with a bang on Thursday, June 20, 2014. 4-H members from across the state who qualified at their district level, traveled to Shawnee, OK to participate for top honors. 4-H horse members participate in a variety of disciplines from speed events to western pleasure, showmanship and trail. This year, eleven members from across Oklahoma participated in a different type of competition, the Oklahoma 4-H 2 -Year -Old Horse Training Project Class.
Many 4-H members who have prior experience in the horse show ring decided to take on this unique challenge in 2014. The 2 Year- Old Horse Training Project provides an incentive activity for 4-H members to develop their training skills and encourages them to enhance their overall horsemanship skills. Members are responsible for the care, fitting and training of the project and may only consult with resource people such as professional trainers for advice and consul. Members are required to exhibit their horse in both a Western Pleasure Class and Showmanship Class at the state show. Two of the participants in this year's event were Madison Vance of Pawnee 4-H and Chaz Rufo of the Tulsa County 4-H Horse Club.
Chaz Rufo has previously participated in the 2 year old project winning Reserve Champion his first year of participation and was then named Champion in 2013. Chaz's mount for 2014 is named "Rocking on the Prairie". Chaz actually came to own his project horse by winning an essay contest. Chaz took over ownership and picked up "Rocking on the Prairie" in November of 2013 and really started ramping up training efforts in February of 2014 in preparation for the State 4-H Horse Show. Chaz's hard work paid off with him being named the Reserve Champion Overall in the 2 Year Old Horse Training Project for 2014.
Madison Vance is the Pawnee Senior 4-H Club President and participated for the first time in the 2 year old project with a mare she raised, "Good N Glittery" but better known by her barn name of "Velma". Madison worked with Velma starting the first part of 2014 to make sure she was prepared for the State 4-H Show. Madison's previous show ring experience includes exhibiting Paints, Pintos and Palominos at both the state and national levels. "Velma" is Madison's first training project and her time and effort paid off with Madison being named the Champion Overall in the 2 Year old Horse Training Project with a win in both the Western Pleasure and Showmanship components of the event.
Oklahoma 4-H is dedicated to helping Oklahoma youth, families and communities reach their full potential. By providing hands-on programming and events in a large variety of projects, 4-H is not only helping youth learn the life skills they need to be the leaders of tomorrow, but it is also teaching its members they can lead today and can make tangible, significant changes in their clubs, their communities, their state and their world.
Click Here for more information on the 4-H horse program and other activities.
Pictured - Chaz Rufo and Madison Vance were named Reserve Champion and Champion Overall in the 4-H 2- Year- Old Horse Training Project Class 2014.
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