4-H Riding Round Up, Judging Clinic

 

By KELLIE ANDERSON,

St. Johns County 4-H Program Assistant

 Horses are one of many exciting projects offered to youth in the St. Johns County 4-H Program.  The St. Johns County 4-H Horse Program is excited to have a local place to practice their horsemanship and riding skills.

The St. Johns County Equestrian Center, located in Hastings, is a beautiful facility with two large riding arenas, 24-stall barn, round pen and a community center. The St. Johns County Horse Council has done a wonderful job improving and managing this facility so that horse enthusiasts can have a place to ride and enjoy their horses on county-owned property. The St. Johns County 4-H Horse Program recently used the facility for a weekend Fall Riding 4-H Round-up Clinic. In November, the 4-H Program Assistant, Kellie Anderson, was able to partner with Allie Anderson who is a member of the University of Florida Horse Judging Team and St. Johns County 4-H Volunteers/Horse Council Members Donna and Ashley Colee to teach the riding clinic. The St. Johns County Equestrian Center enabled the 4-Hers to practice both English and Western showmanship and riding disciplines in a safe environment. Youth were also able to learn about Horse Judging and Hippology by participating in educational activities that enhanced and challenged their horse knowledge. The St. Johns County 4-H Horse Program sincerely appreciates the support from the SJC Horse Council, 4-H Volunteers and the University of Florida Horse Judging Team has provided to our local 4-H youth. It is great to see our St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Facilities put to such good use!

Dec. 10, six St. Johns County 4-H youth who attended the Fall Riding Round-Up expanded their horse knowledge by attending the UF 4-H/FFA Horse Judging Clinic that was held at the UF Horse Teaching Unit.  Several members of the UF Horse Judging Team members taught youth how to judge horses in halter, pleasure, equitation and ranch riding classes. This event was an educational clinic for youth wanting to participate in the Florida State Fair Horse Judging Contest in February.

If you are interested in learning more about the 4-H Program or 4-H volunteering opportunities, please contact the 4-H Office at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center (3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine, 32092) at 904 209-0430. To find out more about the St. Johns County 4-H Program or to enroll, go to: http://stjohns.ifas.ufl.edu  .