One Horsie Flashback

After taking my outdoor senior pictures with some of my horses this fall, I began to reminisce about how I first got started riding horses. As of right now, I have currently shown in western pleasure, trail, hunter under saddle, jumping, and most recently, contest classes.

                I first started riding at the age of five because of the influence of my sister, who was ten. At the time, I was just sitting on our horse, Baron, while my sister took lessons on her horse. When I turned six, my parents got me an extremely lazy horse that was ironically named Superman. I took lessons and showed him in walk-trot at open shows. My favorite class was walk-trot barrels, but I could never get Superman to do anything other than walk. Although Superman was quiet, I was terrified to ride.

                Finally, I was eight, and able to show in 4-H. My parents realized that Superman and I weren’t a great match of personalities, and we tried a pony from Tennessee. My pony’s name was Sammy, and he is the reason I’m no longer afraid to ride. In fact, I became so brave that I would run him around the yard bareback. I showed him western pleasure and trail, but we would occasionally run a barrel class or take a few jumps for fun.

                While I wanted to keep Sammy forever, I was ten and beginning to grow out of the 12.3 hand pony. My sister was getting more serious about showing, and I figured I should too. That’s when we got Chip, my western pleasure and trail horse. Chip and I clicked right away, and our first year was extremely successful. We qualified for the state horse show in showmanship and pleasure. Our second year we qualified for our favorite class, trail, and we made the top five at states.

                Between the two years I showed Chip, I showed my sister’s horse, Henry. I decided to try something different and teach him to run so we could go in contest classes. It was an interesting year, but I was glad to go back to Chip again.

                My next horse was also a hand-me-down from my sister. When I was thirteen, my sister aged out of 4-H and went to college. At the time, Otis was a 16.3 hand four year old appendix. He’s a beautiful horse, no one wanted to part with him yet. With him being so tall, it was obvious to me that it would be best for him to be shown hunter under saddle. So, that winter I spent the majority of my time learning how to ride hunter well. After the first few years of riding in circles on rail, we both became bored with it. I decided to try some jumps with him. Otis was a natural jumper, and never refused a fence. We both loved jumping, and we’d spend hours at our lessons but never be too tired to take another jump. We were even training with a world champion jumping coach, and I thought we’d be jumping at least until I went to college. Sadly, one summer Otis refused a jump. We later found that his front hooves were too soft to be jumping anymore. I decided that I didn’t want to go back to riding on the flat, and we ended up selling Otis.

                I didn’t want to completely stop riding for my seventeen and eighteen year old years, but I didn’t want to buy a new horse as I’d be going away to college soon. My cousin offered her horse, Taz, who lives in my barn. Taz is nineteen years old, but he’s still one of the fastest and most experienced contest horses I’ve ever seen. I took her up on her offer, and although I always got anxious before I ran him, I had a great year. He’s one of the few horses that walk calmly into an arena, but when he sees the barrels, poles, or especially the keyhole, he takes off. It took me a while to trust him, but once I did, we were doing great for our first year. Taz is quite the opposite of Superman though. I couldn’t get Superman to do anything but walk, and I can hardly get Taz to do anything but run when we’re at a show. I took Taz into a practice pole class at a show this summer. As he calmly walked into the arena, I informed the man working the gate that I was going to try and make Taz trot the pattern for training. The man laughed and said, “With him, that shouldn’t be difficult.” As soon as I let up my grip on the reins slightly, Taz took off running. I slowed him down, but I never got him down to a trot. Our time wasn’t actually too bad considering it was a practice run and I was holding him back. When we left the arena, the man at the gate said, “You were trying to trot him?!” I simply smiled, Taz definitely knows what he’s doing, and it can be a lot of fun.

 

Horses have taught me a lot in the last thirteen years. They’ve been a huge part of my life as long as I can remember. Not only that, they’re also the reason I started 4-H! My horses aren’t just my animals, they’re my friends too.

Thanksgiving Thanks

Hello Everyone!

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone!  When I was sitting at the dinner table on Thanksgiving day, I started to think back to just how crazy and eventful this year has been.  Not only did I recollect and relish past events, I realized that I have a lot for which I should be thankful.  My family, friends, pets, and of course, 4-H, all crossed my mind.  I do not know where I would be without all the help and support offered by such influential and important people in my life.  So I would like to take this time to thank you all.

When thanking people, I would be remiss if I forgot to mention our troops.  My grandfather served in World War II and hearing about his experiences overseas has given me a different perspective on things.  It has really made me appreciate what our troops are doing for us.  So thank you all who serve our great country!

On a side note, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN UP for the 2013 Pennsylvania 4-H State Leadership Conference!  It is going to be a blast with candy galore!  My team and I cannot express our excitement for this event and our eagerness to meet many of you there!

Until later,

Cassidy Baker
2012/2013 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council President

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.  If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”

Oprah Winfrey

A Rough Month

Hello Pennsylvania 4-H,

This past month has been a very stressful and difficult one. The reason that is has been, is because I had jaw surgery on November 7th. The surgery itself went very well, but the recovery is very long and stressful. I was lucky enough to not get my mouth wired shut after the surgery but I still had to wear a splint that kept everything in place which was extremely painful. I got the splint out at my doctors appointment yesterday but I still can't eat for another 3 weeks. Being that I absolutely love food and usually eat constantly, it has been very difficult to get used to, especially with all the delicious Thanksgiving food. I am trying my hardest to stay postiive though, and it makes me extremely happy that I will be able to eat at Christmas!

Due to my surgery I haven't really been able to do anything. I can not go to school, exercise, or eat, like I said before. I am just about bored out of my mind but my school work keeps me busy with something to do. During this time, I have also learned not to ever take anything for granted because it is very difficult when you can't do simple things that you are used to always doing. It has been very hard but my recovery is half way over so hopefully the second half will go faster than the first half did!

Despite my surgery and recovery I have still been recruiting and promoting SLC to 4-Her's across the state. I highly recommend that if you have not signed up that you do so! The State Council Team along with our advisors have been busy planning and working on SLC and it is going to be a blast and I hope that everyone that would like to, or is even questioning going, definitely signs up! It's going to be a great time!

Until later, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Dawn Craft
2012-2013 Pennsylvania State Council 
Vice President of Operations

National 4-H Congress 2012

Part of PA 4-H delegation to National 4-H Congress 2012

Ok -so check out this picture.  It's part of the PA delegation getting their 4-H Swag on at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.  Look closely... Do you see it? 

     While many others were chasing the Christmas buys of the year on Black Friday, I was beginning my adventure at the Harrisburg International Airport!  We had to check-in with our group of ten by 5:30 am!  Not sure what to expect, I boarded the plane in anticipation of this years National 4-H Congress.  I had heard reports from other friends who attended in prior years that is was "life-changing", "amazing", and much more.  So far, I haven't ever been disappointed in any of the opportunities that 4-H has afforded me, so I was very excited and honored to have been selected to attend this year.     

 

     For my county, there were only two delegates afforded this trip.  So, the trip began with the usual, oh my, we need an ice-breaker here feeling.  At first, there wasn't a lot of "meshing", but we were all getting along just fine.  We landed in Atlanta, rode the train, and arrived at the magnificent hotel complete with five glass elevators transporting visitors to one of over 22 floors!  After getting settled in, we grabbed lunch, played cards, began "meshing", and got ready for a night full of events.  First up was dinner, then a state meeting, a pin exchange with many of our country's finest 4-H'ers, and then we were treated to a speaker.  If you haven't been to any 4-H events with public speakers, please take the time to do so, whether it's for State Leadership Conference, State Achievement Days, or any other event!  On this night, our speaker, Dan Thurmon, spoke to us about how to become a "Catalyst for Change", the theme of the conference.  He was fantastic!  His message was to never underestimate yourself.  Don't ever think that your younger kids in your club aren't looking up to you, because they are.  Set goals for yourself, always add to your list of goals, and don't be afraid to fail, it's how you learn.  Ok, we all got a lot out of this day and we still had four more days to go!

 

     For our second day, we began with a state flag ceremony and several workshops including team-building, speed meeting, baking, diversities, Pilate's, robotics, and more.  Later in the day, we were treated to an international dinner and a dance.  I enjoyed trying all of the different foods from so many different countries and the food was amazing!

 

     Some of the highlights on Sunday included an Inspirational Assembly delivered by a Holocaust survivor, very powerful and something that so many of us really should hear to appreciate all of the blessings in our lives.  He touched everyone of us as you could hear a pin drop in a room full of teenagers.  Our lunch was at the Fire of Brazil, another new experience.  Following lunch, I attended workshops and would you believe, I had a "baking workshop"?  After that lunch?  Oh boy!  I was stuffed!  Before I had any room in my stomach, it was time for dinner at the Atlanta History Center.  We didn't just eat, there were great shows!

 

     On Monday, we started with breakfast and then attended community service events.  I was assigned clean-up at a park in Atlanta.  I was struck by the fact that all the 4-H'ers that worked that day accomplished as much as one person working an entire year, and we weren't even there that long.  They were very appreciative of our attendance.  We then went on tours of Atlanta.  The one I experienced was the Coca Cola Factory.  Later that day, we had a Gala and dance.  Remember me telling you about those needed "ice-breakers"?  Well, they weren't needed anymore. 

 

     Sadly, Tuesday was our last day, but in usual 4-H fashion, we were treated to another speaker, Dan Clark.  He talked to us all about words and how they really influence us.  He also delivered a story about his version of "The 4-H's".  He, like all the other speakers, was very impressionable to say the least and I took a great deal from each of them.  Like all good things, our time came to an end.  Everyone had a great time and our trip home that day, you would have thought that we had been friends for years!  If you are ever asked or invited to go to National 4-H Congress, GO!  One more thing, the picture at the openning of my article - we are spelling 4-H.

 

       

 

    

 

    

 

Things are looking good!

As an end of the year party, my county council and I went to have a bit of fun celebrating Pennsylvania 4-H's 100 year birthday by playing laser tag, roller skating, and eating cake!  We recently started a local Theater Arts Club that I couldn't be more excited for and are soon having elections in our county council for offices, and so far, I seem to have votes for president!  I'm excited to start the new year and even more excited for the things I get to do!  Farm Show and State Leadership Conference coming up!

On the other hand, with marching band season over, I've been working on breaking my horse and my soccer team will soon start indoor soccer training, hopefully it's just as exciting as the tournament I played in a long time ago.

Until next time,

Stephanie McFall

Pennsylvania 4-H State Council

State Council Representative

Venturing Outside of 4-H

I’m sure that for most of you, 4-H is not the only extra-curricular activity that you participate in. Whether you choose to fill your spare time with sports, performing arts, creative arts, community service clubs, or just keeping up with school work, everyone is very busy.

Besides 4-H, my number one time commitment is my school marching band. In my high school, marching band is not taken lightly. We have intense practices that prepare us for our almost weekly Cavalcade competitions. Yes, the marching band schedule can be overwhelming at times, but band is truly rewarding. Being in my fourth year of high school marching band, I feel as though the other 97 band members and color guard performers are family, especially my instrument section each year. 

Since fourth grade, I’ve only played the flute or piccolo, but this year I tried something completely new. In the spring of my junior year, my band director convinced three of us flute players to switch to mellophone because we had three mellophone players about to graduate. Without really knowing what we were getting into, we switched instruments and were eager to learn this foreign brass music maker. I’ve had a ball this year with my five mellophone friends, and even more fun is to be had in the next few months with the opportunity to play mellophone in the school jazz band. Not to mention the great challenge of learning how to play French horn with them in concert band.

The phrase “time flies when you’re having fun,” is spot on. It feels like yesterday we were dripping in sweat and frying in the sun during the three weeks of hellish band camp, counting down the days until Championships--the end to the marching band season. But now we are here; the end is insight, and for some reason or another, I wish we could go back and relive the entire season again.

All Senior Band Members 

Just last week, we had our senior night at our home football game where they recognized the senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members. At the conclusion of this school year, we’re going to move on in our lives in hopes of achieving great things. Having my parents on the field with me and hearing the announcer tell the audience my future plans (to attend Penn State of course majoring in Agriculture and Extension Education!) really hit me hard. It’s incredibly bittersweet knowing that in just over a week, my high school marching band career will be over as I know it. In fact, this year will also be the end to our band director’s tenure after a notable thirty-four years in music education. I will never forget such a remarkable year I had with the Boyertown High School band and the mellophone section this 2012 marching season. Who knows, maybe my marching band career is not over. Perhaps you’ll see me marching with the Penn State Blue Band next year? I suppose all we can do is wait and see what the future has in store for us.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Stuetz

Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Secretary

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

4-H State Days Demonstration Heads to Nationals in Wisconsin

4-H State Days Demonstration Heads to Nationals in Wisconsin

After qualifying for the National Junior Horticulture event through PA 2012 4-H State Days, I had the honor and privilege to travel to Dells, Wisconsin for the demonstration category with my Small Scale Production demonstration.  I was to represent PA 4-H for at this event held October 4- 8!  My trip began with a 14 hour drive to Dells, Wisconsin the waterpark capital of the United States.  My parents accompanied me on this adventure.  I didn’t have any idea about what to expect, but I went excited and open-minded to enjoy every minute of this opportunity.  For four weeks, I grew plants that I would need for my demonstration.  These plants would have to safely survive the track with us half-way across the country.  Believe me, I was a bit worried that they wouldn’t survive the long trip. 

After arriving to the beautiful resort overlooking the mountains of Wisconsin, I checked into the event.  We set-up our display representing PA 4-H then headed to the opening ceremonies and dinner.  I met many great people from all over the United States, but I was the only Pennsylvania delegate.  We began with a flag ceremony and a flag bearer from each state being represented and were then treated to a delicious meal followed by a master gardening speaker.  Later, we met with the superintendent of each of the events to review what would be expected of us for the contests to take place the next day.  I left that meeting excited to do my presentation the next morning.  Did I mention that my plants survived the trip?

The next morning, we had a fantastic breakfast before heading to do my demonstration.  I carried all of my supplies to the room and waited for my name to be called.  When it was my turn, I set-up all of my supplies and tested my projector for the power point presentation and was soon instructed by the judge to begin.  Shortly after beginning, a man came into the room and sat to listen to my presentation.  When I was finished, that man turned out to be a 30 year veteran soils specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and he drilled me with a pile of questions that I was actually able to answer! 

With my demonstration complete, it was time to breathe easy.  So, since we were in Wisconsin, we headed to a cheese factory and a celebratory lunch.  We returned to our resort and enjoyed several hours at the in house water park.  The event then held a contest called horticulture connections which ran a bit like Jeopardy.  I was added to the team from Indiana and we did well.  The next day, we toured Dells Cranberry Museum, a cranberry farm, and rode on the Dells Ducks, a military style vehicle that operates in water and on land.  We toured and shopped in downtown Dells then returned to the resort for a state social where I met a number of great people from all over the country. 

The last day, we attended workshops and the awards banquet.  I could hardly believe it, but I was awarded Grand National Champion for my demonstration!  All of my practice and hard work paid off.  I began my quest many years ago when I first started 4-H.  I worked hard on several of the plant science projects that 4-H has to offer.  After several years of learning and practicing the techniques I learned, I can say that my project came full circle by entering PA 4-H State Achievement Days and earning the privilege to attend nationals. 

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I really enjoyed the entire experience and would love to attend the event again next year as it will be held in Williamsburg, Virginia.  If any of you are interested in putting together a horticulture team to try to earn the right to attend the event as a 4-H team, please let me know.