Smith County 4-H News – By Katie Clark – Smith County Extension Agent
The Smith County 4-H Horse Judging Teams competed in the Central Region Horse Judging Contest on March 17th, 2017 at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro. Four 4-H’ers from our active horse project group successfully participated in this contest.
Horse judging is one of the most educational and popular activities of the 4-H Horse Project. Horse judging contests involve two actions: first, you must place each animal in a class and then, 9th – 12th grade 4-H’ers must be able to orally defend that placing by giving a set of reasons to a judge. Smith County had individuals competing in all three age divisions.
The Senior High (9th-12th graders) individual was 9th grader Danielle Logan.
The Junior High (6th – 8th graders) Division individuals were 8th grader Bailey Chapman and 6th grader Emily Wills.
The Junior individual (4th & 5th graders) was 4th grader Abby Purtee.
All Smith County 4-Hers performed extremely well, being very competitive against over 250 students from across the state.
The 4-H Horse Program helps youth to develop communication skills, make decisions based on facts and observations, compete with a sportsmanlike attitude, learn a skill essential for success in the horse industry and develop self confidence. This groups also encourages our 4-H’ers to be better prepared for citizenship responsibilities through working in groups and supporting community services and horse activities.
If you are a lover of everything about horses, then this is your project. Climb on and help kids learn about show, trail, or endurance riding; test kid’s horse sense at quiz bowls or judging teams; or study horse science. The horse project is designed to help the advanced rider as well as those who do not have a horse. For further information, call the Smith County Extension Office at 735-2900. County, Regional, and State 4-H Horse Show entries are will open soon, if you would like to show your horses in 4-H, please contact us as soon as possible.
The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
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The Smith County 4-H Horse Judging Teams competed in the Central Region Horse Judging Contest in Murfreesboro. From left to right: Danielle Logan, Bailey Chapman, Emily Wills, and Abby Purtee.
