When the evening of Sunday, June 15th rolled around the West District 4-H Youth Horse Events volunteers were on the lookout for 86 mounted riders to embark on the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. Youth participants along with their parents and 4-H horse program volunteer leaders came in with their horses and ponies to get them settled into their stalls in preparation for 3 days of fun, learning, saddle sores, and boot blisters.

This year thanks to the generosity of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation and with help from the NC State 4-H Horse Program, all NC 4-H enrolled members received $150 towards their participation in the mounted clinic and $50 for the unmounted participants.  This was a big help to our youth and allowed more youth to attend then we have had in the past.  We appreciate The Dale Earnhardt Foundations dedication to the youth in NC and their willingness to see the many great benefits of youth being involved in horsemanship related programs like the West District 4-H Horse Clinic and the NC 4-H Horse Program. Eighty-three of the eighty-six mounted riders were enrolled members of NC 4-H and all 14 of the unmounted youth were 4-H members so the vast majority of the families were able to use the scholarship money provided to the program.

Also because of this generous partnership with The Dale Earnhardt Foundation each youth at the clinic had the opportunity to make a custom leather belt with help from Jackson's Western Wear.  The youth worked on their belts during non-riding times and could tool them with whatever design they wanted.  We also want to thank Mr. Larry, from Jackson's Western Wear, and Cynthia Robbins, 4-H Agent in Rutherford County, for working tirelessly with all 100 youth to complete their belts and have a beautiful custom belt to use while riding there horses and put their buckles on that they win at horse events.

On June 16th, the West District 4-H Youth Horse Events hosted its traditional 4-H youth horsemanship clinic and it was one of the largest we have had since 2015.  Last year our numbers had increased significantly but this year was even better and we had 100 participants, including the unmounted 4-H members.  Once the dust settle on Sunday night and we were able to get a count we would have 86 mounted participants.  This clinic has been in existence since early '80's when it began as a one day clinic in Etowah, NC to help prepare youth that were going to attend the state 4-H horse show.  This program has blossomed from a one day program to a three day program, which also includes 2 days where unmounted 4-H youth can come learn about horses and horse care. This year we had 14 unmounted participants join us for 2 days of learning.

Youth participating in the mounted portion of the clinic work with their personal horses in the discipline that they compete or ride in at home.  Monday and Tuesday, the participants go through a safety meeting and then meet with the clinicians that they would be working with on Monday and Tuesday.  The clinic provides professional instruction in Hunt Seat/English, Ranch/Western, Gaited/Non-trotting, Speed Events, Cloverbud(5-7), and Beginner/Novice riders that need basic skills.

On Tuesday evening, all participants are invited to eat together during the clinic picnic hosted by the West District 4-H Youth Horse Events Advisory Board.  Parents and other participant chaperones can enjoy time together at our clinic picnic.  After our picnic the participants, parents, and other siblings are invited to play horseless games which end with a huge water gun fight.

On Wednesday, the participants have the option, no matter what discipline they ride in, to learn about sorting cattle and team penning.  Youth usually play $25 to get to "ride with the cows" on Wednesday as many times as they would like in teams of three.  This year this portion of the clinic was included in the $150 scholarship for all NC 4-H members so they didn't have to pay the $25 this year.  The clinic also provides an opportunity to take their horses through an obstacle course during the morning session. As an added activity this year on Wednesday morning, 14 youth could participate in a cart driving demonstration where they would learn about cart driving and then get to drive a horse drawn cart.

On Monday and Tuesday, youth that don't own horses their own horses or just wanting to learn about horses could participate in an unmounted clinic.  They were able to learn about horse care, grooming, different breeds, and much more. On Tuesday, they were able to get on a horse and have a lead line ride.  There were fourteen youth in the unmounted group.  We have a limit of 20 for that portion of the clinic so it is important to sign up for it early.

Cherokee County was well represented with 15 youth from the county participating in the clinic this year.  One was an unmounted participants and 14 brought their own horses and learned a lot.  Maylee Allen was able to get her pony Charlie to jump during one of her Hunt Seat/English riding sessions.  Maylee was excited and told everyone that "Charlie(her pony) jumped and Charlie doesn't jump but Charlie jumped today."

We appreciate all of our families and youth for representing our county well at thehorsemanship clinic.  If you would like to know more about county, district, or state 4-H events, please contact Shannon Coleman, at shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu, or 828-837-2210 ext. 4.