Virginia 4-H Horse Ambassadors

Visit AT HOME WITH HORSES - A lesson plan and activity series created by the Horse Ambassadors for activities at home during the Covid-19 Crisis.

Ambassadors in the News!!

2022 - Youth in Action Award Winner - Brayden Jones (Fluvanna)
2022 - Brayden Jones writes article for several publications promoting equine activities
2022 - Brayden Jones Earth Echo Council member
2022 - Samantha Whysong leads Healthy Living Summit as 2021 YIA winner with mini Ruben
2021 At Home with Horses invited by National 4-H promoting content
2021 Youth in Action Award Winner - Sam Whysong (Prince William) and National YIA finalist (July 2021)
2021 - Elyssa selected to intern with Colonial Downs summer 2021
2021 - Brayden selected as EarthEcho Leadership Council rep July 2021
2021 Little Horse Library Established - Audrey Allen (Washington)
2021 AQHA Scholarship Winner - Mattie DeBord (Washington) wins AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program (out of 44 participants!)
2021 Additional Success Reports
Kayla creates Intro to Horse Judging recorded video for FFA Teacher's Conference
Brayden, Sam, Kayla lead a meeting for new club members in Greene County
Ambassadors serve 123 participants for 3 Intro to EquiSmartz virtual winter sessions
Mattie and Madison teach Hippology to newly formed 4-H Club in Russell County
Brayden leads the Volunteer Strong campaign on Facebook
Ambassadors team up with a Volunteer-led 60th State Show Anniversary Planning Committee
Samantha produced an Anti-Bullying Campaign with her mini, Ruben
Sydney produced a 4-H Club Promo flyer for her county and area
Brayden, Sydney, and Elyssa hosted the End of Year Awards Ceremony
Elyssa produced a newsletter for the SEDR1 & 2 Horse Council
Elyssa & Sydney started and support a new Youth Horse Council for SEDR1 & 2
Kayla creates Alumni State Show Invitation Postcard
Sydney produces At Home with Horses Stable Management video for State Show
Billie takes on the role of social media manager for the horse program
Brayden & Samantha kick off a new 4-H Horse Club in Loudoun County with Horse Project Info
Mattie & Madison create and host a Showmanship and Desensitization Clinic Aug., 2021
Sydney produces 4-H at Home with Horses Stall Cleaning / Stable Mgmt Tips for State Show Competitors
2020 National Award - AYHC Youth Equine Industry Connections Award Recipientst! Great work Ambassadors!
2020 National 4-H Week Virginia Campaign on Facebook
- Video 1 - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2777273722508522
- Video 2 - https://business.facebook.com/Virginia4HStateOffice/videos/1036980650069237/
At Home with Horses Featured in VT News
Ambassadors Elyssa, Stephanie, Megan, create SE District Youth Horse Council (PDF)
Ambassador Program Awarded the AYHC Youth Equine Industry Connections Award (photo)
Ambassador, Audrey, Establishes a New Miniature Horse 4-H Club (PDF)
Ambassador, Mattie, is Awarded a Quarter Horse through AQHA (PDF)
Mentor Ambassador, Martina, Featured in VA 4-H Newsletter (PDF)
Ambassador, Megan, named a Virginia 4-H All Star. (PDF)
Kayla Featured in State Line Tack's Spotlight of the Month! (Jan)
Youth Equine Legislative Day with VHC (Feb.)
Kimberly and Samantha Featured in State Line Tack's Spotlight of the Month! (April)
Martina Featured in State Line Tack's Spotlight of the Month! (June)
Ambassador, Elyssa and past Ambassador, Morgan, Promote 4-H and the VA State Fair (see video below)

2022-2023 Ambassadors (9/25-9/25)

ANNOUNCEMENT CARD

Central District
Taylor Smith, Amherst
Northeast District
Josie Galvin, Albemarle
Northeast District
Alexis Musselman, Loudoun
Alisa Hart, Loudoun
Cori Gabello, Hanover
Dakota Dunlap, Gloucester
Southeast District
Sophie Gallivan, Accomack
Ambassador Advisors
Northeast District - Krista Gustafson, 4-H Extension agent, Gloucester
Mentor Advisor - Samantha Whysong, Prince William
Mentor Advisor - Brayden Jones, Fluvanna
Adult Advisor, Southwest District - Mattie Ruth Graham, Dickenson
State Lead Advisor - Sandy Arnold, Youth Equine Extension Associate

AT HOME WITH HORSES - a lesson plan and activity series created by the Horse Ambassadors for activities at home.
Intro to EquiSmartz
The Ambassadors are the core trainers for these Educational Contests addressed in Intro to EquiSmartz. See the flyer for this year's virtual events and sign up to participate!
Social Media Campaigns
Join the Ambassadors as they seek content for the State 4-H Horse Programs to showcase the great work that you are doing! Follow them on Instagram where the often run polls and ask for 4-H member feedback!
https://www.instagram.com/virginia4hhorseprogram/
Club Support
Contact us to inquire about Ambassador support for your club. Ambassadors can train your club members on horse judging, hippology, horse bowl, and many other topics. Please inquire to learn about the Ambassador's areas of expertise.

Visit AT HOME WITH HORSES - A lesson plan and activity series created by the Horse Ambassadors for activities at home.

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.