Tunbridge--Equestrians from three states gathered at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds, June 2-5, for the 2022 Orange County 4-H/Open Horse Clinic.
The annual event, sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and the Orange County 4-H Foundation, was open to both 4-H and non-4-H youths, ages 8-18, as well as adult riders. It provided an opportunity for them to improve their riding skills and equine knowledge through instruction and fun games, activities and workshops.
Riders from Addison, Lamoille, Orange, Windham and Windsor Counties, as well as Connecticut and New Hampshire, participated in five riding lessons, three instructional workshops and several gymkhana games throughout the three-day clinic. Youth participants also painted horse grooming brushes, tie-dyed T-shirts, crafted stall signs and created informational posters for their stall doors, addressing the clinic's theme, "Me and My Horse."
Youths who participated in English riding activities were Emily Abbott, South Londonderry; Calleigh Champney and Lyndsey Stender, both from Randolph; Zoe Chaves and Aiva Wilson, both from Chester; Sophia Flint, Stowe; Caitlynn Hartung, Waterford, Connecticut; Victoria Hatt, East Lyme, Connecticut; Ellianna Lamott, White River Junction; Natalie Muscarelli, Salem, Connecticut; and Evangeline Okie, Weston. Adults included Lliam Daley, Norwich, Connecticut; Madeline Hatt, East Lyme, Connecticut; Abby Lambert, Randolph Center; and Ashley Newton, Cavendish. Sami Savage of H.M. Savage Farm in Chester worked with these riders.
Receiving Western riding instruction from Jessica Rabidoux and Emily Lang of Rabidoux Performance Horses in Hinesburg were Kaleigh Campbell, Orange; Addison and Ainsley Davis, Claremont, New Hampshire; Olivia Hatt, East Lyme, Connecticut; Tessa Lambert, Randolph Center; Knox Lanfear, Brookfield; Madison Olmstead, East Randolph; Brooklyn Pallas, Braintree; Alexis Wertheim, Hancock; and Olivia Wheeler, Bethel. Adult equestrian Olivia Campbell, Randolph, also took part.
In addition, two youths participated without their own horse. They were Quinn Carafiello, Cavendish, and Keegan Lamotte, White River Junction.
All participants took part in daily stable management, which evaluated their non-riding horsemanship and knowledge of tack and grooming aids and basic first aid/safety equipment.
On Friday they attended a workshop on equine vaulting, described as gymnastics on horseback. It was led by Laura Hamilton of Figure 8 Riding at Firefly Farm in Roxbury, who was assisted by Rachel Field of the Green Mountain Vaulters, Vermont's first horseback vaulting club, which is based at the farm.
Saturday's workshop focused on fitness for riding with Megan Hatt, East Lyme, Connecticut. Taylor Goucher, V.M.D., Zoe Mount, D.V.M. and Sara Hoadley, veterinary technician, from the Montpelier Veterinary Hospital met with the group on Sunday to answer questions about horses and equine health. The event concluded with gymkhana games and a recognition ceremony.
Molly McFaun, UVM Extension 4-H educator for Orange and Washington Counties, organized this event with the help of a volunteer planning committee. The Union Agricultural Society provided use of the Tunbridge Fairgrounds at no charge.
For more information about the 4-H horse program in Vermont, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.