4-H news Germantown 4-H By Lauren Pigford Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month horse enthused kids meet at Hunters Edge Stables, 5366 Forest Hill- Irene, for meetings for a new up and running 4-H club. Beanie Cone and Lori Hanks are the Volunteer Leaders for the new local 4-H club. The Germantown 4-H group meets on a regular basis to discuss proper horse management. The majority of the kids involved ride in the hunter discipline; however they do have some western disciplined riders who participate. The group started this past year and has about 18 kids who are apart of the group. Beanie and Lori are trying to build the group and welcome diverse disciplines to join. Beanie expressed how important it is to have kids in all disciplines, “4-H has competitors in hunters but also in dressage, western, saddle seat, Walkers. This helps all the kids in different disciplines learn from one another.” Originally 4-H was founded with the idea of practical and “hands-on” learning for children in the public education systems to be more connected to country life. Since its beginnings in the early 20th century it has evolved for youth involved in agriculture and farm life. The regular meetings held at Hunter’s Edge Stables are meetings about proper horse management, health, nutrition, economic, training, and horse safety. The groups’ past meeting hosted Greg Speltz, a well known Farrier in the Germantown area. Greg talked about how he became a farrier. What all his training and education required and how proper upkeep of horses’ feet can make a huge difference for horses, especially performance horses. The group of kids, averaging age 12, asked interactive questions and were even shown how a horse is shoed. Beanie talked about how great it was for riders to be apart of the group. The meetings are filled with educational information about horses in a fun, safe and interactive environment. It is hands-on learning for kids and a place for them to ask questions and relate horse issues. The children learn in a non-competitive, positive atmosphere. Beanie also talked about the competitive shows 4-H holds; District, State and Regionals. “The kids are 80% responsible for their work at the shows. They are responsible for their horses. The parents can only help with 20% of the work required to show.” Beanie continued to explain how the atmosphere at 4-H shows promote a positive, and healthy sense of competition, “the kids learn from each other and help each other during shows.” Beanie and Lori are both hoping for more kids to join for the upcoming year. They are in hopes to bring different disciplines together so they have a mix of horse lovers who want nothing more than to learn all they can about horses. They hope children from diverse disciplines will come and introduce a multi discipline interest for all of the kids, especially so they have children showing in English, Western, Gaited Saddle Seat, Walking/ Racking, and Pleasure Driving. 4-H is a great place for horse lovers of all disciplines and breeds to come together and learn. For more information about 4-H and joining the Germantown 4-H club please contact Lori Hanks at (901) 497- 1729 or at LPHanks@aol.com.