June 15-17 in Fletcher, NC, will be some of the best days for area 4-H horse club members and youth equestrians ages 5-18. June 15th marks the start of the 2026 West District 4-H Horsemanship Clinic at the WNC Agricultural Center. Participating youth will bring their favorite horse and receive professional instruction in the horse-riding discipline of their choice for the first two days, and on Wednesday, we will have a full day of fun. Youth will test their riding skills in the arena with cattle, learning the basics of cattle sorting. Youth will also have a chance to see how their horse handles obstacles and learn more about desensitizing their horse around new places and things.

Riders are welcome from all across Western North Carolina and other areas of the state to participate in this fun, 4-H Learn by Doing activity. Each morning starts with a safety meeting to ensure that safety concerns and procedures are followed throughout the clinic. On Monday and Tuesday, participants will saddle up and ride in their chosen discipline. Classes include Cloverbud, Novice/Beginner, Ranch/Western, English/Hunt Seat, Speed Events, and Non-trotting/Gaited horse classes. On Wednesday, we have a full day of cattle sorting and other mounted activities.

During the day, if participants have downtime, they can make horse-related crafts. Participants are also encouraged to keep their stalls clean and their horses well cared for by participating in the Golden Shovel Award. On Tuesday evening, participants, their families, and volunteers can share a picnic dinner and then play horseless games, which usually end with a huge water gun fight. The kids have a blast, and some of our adults join in with their own water guns from the stands.

We also offer an unmounted two-day clinic experience. This is to allow our youth who participate in 4-H horse clubs and are interested in horses but do not currently have a horse of their own to bring to the clinic. The cost is only $50 for this great Horse 101 learning experience.

Registration cost for the clinic is $100 per mounted youth, with an additional $25 for youth participating in the cattle sorting activity on Wednesday. Stall shavings, RV hook-ups, and additional picnic tickets for non-participants (like parents of youth attending) are also available at an additional cost. Youth will be able to check in on Sunday, June 14th.

To register: Pre-registration is required and can be done by going to: 2026 West District 4-H Horse Clinic Pre-registration after April 29, 2026.

For more information, contact Shannon Coleman at shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu or call 828- 837-2210 ext. 4 to receive a registration packet. The registration postmark deadline is June 5. A late fee applies after that date. Do not send packets in the mail after June 5, 2026.