Although heavy rains and the risk of flooding cut the 2025 Orange County 4-H and Open Mounted Horse Clinic short, the 34 participants had no complaints as they had fun taking part in equine workshops, English and Western riding lessons and craft making sessions.

several dozen people sitting on bleachers
Participants at the 2025 Orange County 4-H and Open Mounted Horse Clinic in Tunbridge listen as Lori Berger, Tunbridge, presents a workshop on bits. (photo: Molly McFaun/UVM Extension 4-H)

The event was planned for May 30 to June 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds in Tunbridge with participants arriving the night before to get settled in with their horses. However, the threat of rising water due to continuous rain on Saturday led to the cancellation of other activities that afternoon and Sunday.

University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and the Orange County 4-H Foundation sponsored the event, which was open to 4-H’ers, non-4-H youths and adults from Vermont and other states. It was organized by UVM Extension 4-H Educator Molly McFaun with the assistance of 4-H Educator Camille Kauffman. Other volunteers were Lorrie Churchill, Brookfield; Krystal West South Royalton; and Kate Williams, Bradford.

Emily Senesac of Cottonwood Stables in Colchester and Laura Pratt of Daybreak Farm in Randolph provided riding instruction. Lori Berger, Tunbridge, presented a workshop on bits, the part of the bridle that helps the rider control their horse.

Betsy Coburn-Porter from the Tack Attic in Quechee taught a workshop on saddle fitting and donated hoof picks for every participant. The group also crafted a lantern with a horse motif and created customized T-shirts to wear during the clinic.

Participants, by town, were:

  • Bethel: Bryn Minchin, Olivia Wheeler
  • Braintree/Graniteville: Karlee Small
  • Brookfield: Adeline Malone
  • Chelsea: Emily Amones
  • North Randolph: Madison Olmstead
  • Pomfret: Hailey Dow
  • Randolph: Olivia Campbell, Rylee Godsoe, Azura Ketchum-Benoit, Brianna Maxham, Ella Rilling
  • Randolph Center: Ava Silloway
  • South Pomfret: Amara Waters
  • Strafford: Kallie Juergens
  • Thetford: Alex and Gretch Buell, April De la Espriella, Capri Haggard-Just
  • Thetford Center: Eleora Santor
  • Topsham: Grace Moore
  • Tunbridge:  Adriana McCarthy, Emmalynne Stewart, Taylor West
  • West Berlin: Samantha Romei

Several participants drove up from Connecticut to participate in the event. They were Ella Cleary, Niantic; Megan, Olivia and Victoria Hatt, East Lyme; Natalie Muscarelli, Salem; and Lillian Stott, Norwich.

Adult riders were also welcome to participate. They included Madeline Hatt, East Lyme, Connecticut; Cheryl Manning, South Royalton; and Kristina Waters, South Pomfret.

The Orange County 4-H Foundation provided one bale of shavings per animal. The Union Agricultural Society generously provided use of the Tunbridge Fairgrounds at no charge.

To learn more about the 4-H horse program in Vermont, contact the UVM Extension 4-H office at (802) 656-7630 or (800) 571-0668 (toll-free in Vermont).