4-H Horse Program

4-H Horse Program

The emphasis of Virginia's 4-H Horse and Pony program is on equine selection, nutrition, management, riding, recreation, fun, and horsemanship. Horseback riding provides an outdoor sports fitness program for physical, personal, and emotional development, including confidence building. The sport can develop into a life-long hobby or business. Projects are available for youth owning or having access to horses, and also for youth not having access to horses (horseless horse projects).

Application and Information - DUE JULY 31 by email

Visit us on Instagram - VA 4-H Horse Ambassadors!!  

Ambassadors are selected to serve a one year term, beginning September 25th, leading in a variety of outreach and public service capacities, connecting with the community, assisting with 4-H local and District level equine events, meeting with legislators, and representing our program at the state level. In addition, they serve in very important roles at our State 4-H Horse Shows and Educational events. Opportunities are almost limitless as they are encouraged to use this platform, along with their individual skills, passions and talents, to help grow our 4-H Horse Program and the Equine Community. During their term, they will experience leadership trainings, state-wide travel, public speaking opportunities and networking. The Horse Ambassador Program began on September 25, 2017. 

If you are interested having an Ambassador at your event or club meeting, please contact the District or Lead Advisor, who will connect you with an Ambassador. For special non-4-H equine or agriculture-related events requesting 4-H Horse Program representation please contact the area District Advisor listed below or the State Lead Advisor, Sandy Arnold for Ambassador support.

2019-2020 Ambassadors (Sept. 25, 2019 - Sept. 25, 2020)

  • Northern District
    Alina Ampeh, Fairfax
    Kayla Dixon, Prince William
    Kimberly Laue, Frederick
    Emily Sears, Albemarle
    Samantha Whysong, Prince William   

  • Southeast District
    Stephanie DiGioia, VA Beach
    Megan Gaines, Chesterfield
    Elyssa Parker, Hanover   
     
  • Southwest District
    Audrey Allen, Washington
    Mary Blankenship, Tazewell
    Rachel Buchanan, Botetourt
    Mattie DeBord, Washington
       
  • Ambassador Advisors
    Central District - Dillon Robinson, 4-H Extension agent, Lunenburg
    Northern District - Kimberly Buonomo, 4-H Extension agent, Albemarle
    Southeast District - Krista Gustafson, 4-H Extension agent, Gloucester
    Southwest District - Lauren Kopp, 4-H Extension agent, Smyth
    At Large - Sam Leech, 4-H Extension agent, Rockingham
    Mentor Advisor, Northern District - Camryn Madagan, Frederick
    Mentor Advisor, Southwest District - Mattie Ruth Stanley, Dickenson
    Mentor Advisor, Southeast District - Martina Essert, Chesapeake
    State Advisor - Leona Ransdell, Youth Equine Extension Specialist
    State Lead Advisor - Sandy Arnold, Youth Equine Extension Associate

THIS PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY THE FOLLOWING:

Virginia Horse Industry Board
farm credit logo

Events listed here are 4-H sponsored events only. For your 4-H event to be listed, email the PDF document to Sandy Arnold at least 2 weeks prior to your event date.

  • 4-H Horse Program Resources
    • Policies and guidelines for Virginia Tech and 4-H Horse related events, Volunteer resources, educational resources, as well as rulebooks, horse judging resources, measurement resources, and scholarship information.
  • Horse-related publications
    • Record books and publications for all 4-H Animal Science projects.

4-H Horse Program Newsletters

VT APSC & DAILY Newsletters with 4-H Horse Program Content

Mary Cole 4-H Horsemaster 50 Mile Trail Ride  

First Annual Year End Award Banquet

ALL members of the Virginia 4-H Horse Program are invited to attend the Banquet to celebrate our accomplishments from the past year and get ready for 2020!

Date: Saturday, January 18th at the Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Time: 5:00pm – light refreshments served, 5:30 Banquet Doors will open, 6:00pm dinner served

Dress: Business casual/dressy casual

Cost: $35/person 

Banquet Reservations: https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dirjcltTqwrhstT
To reserve a seat at the Banquet, please follow the link and fill out the information. Your seat is NOT considered RESERVED until PAYMENT has been RECEIVED IN FULL! Dinner Options: Hokie London Broil, Chicken Piccata, Vegetarian Option of Butternut Squash

Lodging: The Hyatt Place in Blacksburg has a block of rooms reserved for attendees. The Inn at VT does not have room as they are being used as housing for students this year. To make your reservations: https://www.hyatt.com/shop/cltzb?location=Hyatt%20Place%20Blacksburg%2FUniversity&checkinDate=2020-01-17&checkoutDate=2020-01-19&rooms=1&adults=1&kids=0&corp_id=G-4HHP or call 1-800-233-1234 and the rooms are under Virginia 4-H.

 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:


Diamond Level Sponsors:
Virginia Horse Industry Board
Virginia Farm Bureau
Virginia Horse Council
Blue Ridge Trailers - Ruckersville, VA

Emerald Sponsors:
Pizza Hut

Ruby Level Sponsors:
EquiNutrix Equine Nutrition

Sapphire Level Sponsors:
Arabian Youth Horse Association
Heron Ridge - Harry & Stacy Daugherty
Jotobi Farm – Dr. and Mrs. Arden Huff

Award Sponsors:
Heron Ridge - Harry & Stacy Daugherty
Carol Miller

Virginia 4-H Horse Program

Related Topics

Calendar of Events


Subsribe to the Listserv

Contact

Mounted Activities:
Specialist - Leona Ransdell
leonar@vt.edu

Unmounted Activities:
Associate - Sandy Arnold
horse4H@vt.edu

 

Horse Program Advising Leadership

District Horse Councils

Social Media

 

Virginia Horse Industry Board

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