Britches & Boots trotting into new club year
Published 5:21 pm Tuesday, October 1, 2019
- Cyndi Raiford, Graz’n Acres Center director, left, with Fiona Kee, Alana Holzer and Rachel Brown stuff the gift bags. The club members stuffed over 70 bags. Submitted | Maura Britt
By Maura Britt
COURTLAND
Outgoing club president Abby Boyce leads the 4-H Pledge with the hand gestures club members use at 4-H meetings, events and summer camp with Rachel Brown practicing them. Submitted | Maura Britt
The Britches & Boots 4-H Horse Club has wrapped up the 4-H 2018-2019 year. The new 4-H year began on Tuesday. During our August meeting, the club members discussed who should lead our club for the upcoming year, and prepared the ballot for the election of new club officers in September. We also discussed our service project at Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center.
In our September meeting, the club voted on the ballot, and elected Joshua McPherson as club president; Abby Boyce as vice president; Rachel Brown as treasurer; and Alana Holzer as secretary. Congratulations to all our newly elected 2019-2020 officers.
Our service project to Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center was after the meeting. Club members voted to donate some of items donated to the club, or reference materials that we no longer use for competitions, to Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center for their fundraisers to support the center. This year the club donated a book, gloves and belts that will be used for gift baskets to be auctioned off or as door prizes. When we arrived, Cydni Raiford, center director, had projects for the club ready to go. Our first project was to pack the bags for their upcoming Poker Run fundraiser.
Club members, from left, to right, Rachel Brown, Alana Holzer and Fiona Kee clean up the memorial garden. Submitted | Maura Britt
The next project was to clean up the memorial garden dedicated horses and students who have passed away. There are beautiful azalea bushes for each horse and student with a stone in front with their name and date. Club members weeded the garden, and cleaned away leaves so that the stones could be seen. Nice job — the garden looked great.
The Britches & Boots 4-H Horse Club is working on its calendar for the new year. Our next event is a fundraiser to support activities and competitions for the new 4-H year on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tractor Supply. Come meet club members, learn how to join the club, and support the club. We will have some delicious baked goods for you to enjoy.
The next meeting is on Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 8:45 a.m. for a quick meeting and off to a clinic with Dominion Equine. Dr. Kate will be discussing fall shots, a fecal egg test and dewormers. If you love horses, come join us.
To join 4-H, you can register online at https://va.4honline.com or call the Southampton County Extension Office at 653-2572.
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As the new 4-H year begins, youth ages 5-19 can join various clubs or you can start a new one. Our new 4-H Extension Agent, Jordan Jones, will be hosting a 4-H Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Extension Office, 21300 Plank Road, Courtland. Come meet her and find out how to join 4-H! 4-H has so many opportunities to offer youth ages 5-19.
Younger members ages 5-8 join as Cloverbuds to learn about 4-H and learn about different opportunities and competitions earning Cloverbud ribbons.
Junior members age 9-13 can participate in local competitions they choose to qualify for the state competitions, attend clinics and 4-H events like summer camp and fishing extravaganza.
Seniors ages 14-19 compete, as well as learn leadership skills to participate as counselors-in-training and counselors at the IOW/Southampton County Junior Camp. They can attend Virginia 4-H Congress and/or mentor younger members.
