Submitted by Tasha Sierpinski
Club Reporter
It was a busy club year for most of the club members, whether they were attending English/Western Riding Clinics, public speaking, horseshows, club meetings, mandatory rides, community service, 4-H rodeos or fundraising.
On the evening of May 8, we travelled down to the Stone Willow Vet Clinic. Dr. Ken and his wife put on an equine dentistry clinic for us. It was very interesting and pretty cool to be able to touch/hold caps, wolf teeth, molars and incisors of Dr. Ken’s past equine patients. He also talked briefly on deworming our horses, but that will be a future clinic for us.
Sunday, May 17 we had an all-day trail obstacle clinic at the Sierpinskis. It was fun to see how each of the members and their horses maneuvered thru the different obstacles. There were a lot of first times for horse and riders. But we all took in its stride with no serious blow-ups.
Our club held their achievement day during the West Central Regional 4-H Horse Show in Red Deer at the Westerner Grounds on May 30- June 1. All the members did an awesome job. For some of our members, it was their very first horse show. And if I may say so myself, they all rocked the joint. I’m always reminded that it’s not always about placing and winning ribbons, it’s about showcasing what you have learned, the bond between horse and rider and last but not least, enjoying the ride. Oh yes, can’t forget about the friendships too.
On Sunday, June 15, we had our club awards day at the Hudson Greene Community Activity Centre. We enjoyed a BBQ/potluck supper before the presentation of awards to all of our members. Tasha Sierpinski, who is a very active 4-H’er, received her Silver Award of Excellence this year. All the club members received some sort of award plus being acknowledged for their accomplishments for the season.
We were very proud of the cleaver kids as well since this was the first year for cleavers in our club. For some of them, this was a real learning curve as well as for their parents. Thank you, Shantelle, for taking the role on as cleaver leader.
Also acknowledged at our club awards was Kindrie Wardley and Ashley McCaughey for their countless hours of volunteering their precious time and knowledge to those of us that wanted/needed it. I can only speak for myself when I say, “My horse and I learned a lot from those two young ladies. I, along with my horse, look forward to learning more from them in the future. Equine knowledge is never ending. There is always something to learn.
A huge “THANK YOU” to Mackenzie’s No Frills in Ponoka for sponsoring our BBQ fundraiser which was held on Friday, June 27 right after the Ponoka Stampede parade. We served well over 700 hamburgers to hungry customers to support our 4-H club.
So our club will take a brief hiatus before the 2014-2015 4-H season so that our members, leaders, volunteers can get re-energized/rejuvenated.
In closing, I would like to say thanks and it was a blast being the club reporter informing the community of Ponoka and surrounding area on what goes on within our little old club.
See ya all in the fall or on the trail somewhere!