Rutland--Even hot, humid weather couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the 30 youths who participated in the Rutland County 4-H Horsemanship Clinic, May 21-22 in Rutland.
They, along with some younger siblings, parents and adult volunteers, gathered at the Vermont State Fairgrounds to celebrate their love of horses and broaden their knowledge and skill set. An added bonus was a chance to connect with others with similar interests and camp out overnight at the venue. Seventeen youths brought a horse to the clinic while 13 others took part in activities without a horse.
Kristen McLaughlin, Tuff-Riders 4-H Club leader, and Tracey Stubbins, Wind Riders 4-H Club leader, both from Rutland, planned and facilitated the clinic. McLaughlin oversaw logistics for the riders while Stubbins worked with the horseless group.
Participating in the English riding activities were Vivian Bhakta, Poultney; Charlotte Bilodeau, Rose Ouimet and Charlotte Thompson, all from Castleton; Olivia Bullock, Rutland; Seanna Erickson, Florence; Lyla Jones, Whitehall, New York; Carmen McKirryher and Johanna Stone, both from West Rutland; and Reid Priestley, Springfield.
They received instruction from Sara Giard, New Haven, learning groundwork, jumping, horse care and how to control their horses with verbal and non-verbal communication.
Sarah McKeighan, Rein or Shine 4-H Club leader and owner of Trinity Stables and Arena in Florence, led the western riders through Western/Gymkhana patterns and barrel work. This group also worked on verbal and non-verbal communication with their horses. They were Kelsey Davis, Joseph McKirryher and Amie Thurston, all from West Rutland; Addison Erickson, Florence; Emma Haley, Middletown Springs; Brie Pikkarainen, East Wallingford; and Teigan Williams, North Clarendon.
Participants without horses used hobby horses to try English-style jumps, Western-style patterns and games including show jumping, pole bending, racing around rodeo barrels, gymkhana formations and navigating a trail course. They also had an opportunity to meet the horses, design stall name cards and learn how to keep a 4-H record book. Youths in this group included Luci and Jude Badillo, Landon Bullock, Wesley Griffin, Yireh Robichaud and Lucia Stubbins, all from Rutland; Kaylee Nicklaw, Leicester; Eliza Peer, West Rutland; Ashlynn and Jenna Pikkarainen, East Wallingford; Kien Priestley, Springfield; Alexandria Ryan, Castleton; and Harriet Sterling, Fair Haven.
Both the mounted and unmounted groups heard about stable management from Sue Cook, Castleton. Julia Adams, Shrewsbury, organized a practice horse quiz bowl, allowing the 4-H'ers to test their horse knowledge and become more comfortable with the buzzer and question rounds. Both women are leaders in the Horsepower 4-H Club in Castleton. Adams also coaches the Vermont 4-H State Quiz Bowl team each year.
Betsey Mayer, Pittsford, introduced the youths to roping tricks and techniques to successfully snag barrels and straw bales. Kimberly Griffin, University of Vermont Extension 4-H educator for Rutland and Bennington Counties, led a craft session to make horse key chains.
The clinic concluded with a pizza dinner and ice cream social.
To learn more about the 4-H horse program in southwestern Vermont, contact Griffin at kimberly.griffin@uvm.edu or (802) 773-3349, ext. 276.