EDMOND — BY PATTY MILLER

THE EDMOND SUN



Edmond Light Horse 4-H Club members recently participated in the Oklahoma County Fair, which was at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds.

The Edmond Light Horse 4-H Club is a 4-H project club with a focus on the study of equine. The club, established in the 1970s, is seeing some second-generation members.

The Edmond Light Horse 4-H Club president, Nikki Craig, said she originally joined the club for the horses.

“However, when I realized what 4-H really was about, it became more to me than just a way to show. 4-H is by far the best organization I have ever been a part of. It has taught me some amazing life lessons, from responsibility to public speaking to friendship.”

Craig said she wouldn’t be the outgoing young woman she is today if she hadn’t been a part of 4-H.

Amanda Atkins agreed 4-H is an excellent group to join. She said she wanted to be a part of a club that had fun and learned about her favorite animal, the horse.

“The organization has engineering, photo, essay, speech, art, cooking and sewing competitions, plus a whole lot more,” Atkins said.

Atkins said 4-H is much more that just learning, it is doing and growing. As the club’s youngest officer she said being in her first leadership role is more of a challenge than she thought it would be.

“You have to be mature and responsible not just about your duties, but to be there for other members of our club,” Atkins said.

Craig agreed that 4-H is vital to the development of any young person.

“It can teach you so many life skills and you can meet so many wonderful people through the higher 4-H levels,” she said.

“I’ve met some of my best friends participating in county and state 4-H activities. 4-H offers so many opportunities to learn and grow that I wish I could be in 4-H for another eight years, just to experience every one of them.”

Craig said she shows her pony, Slip N’ Slider, just to have fun.

“I don’t care about winning or looking great. I just want both of us to go out in the ring, be happy, and maybe learn a little something we didn’t know the day before,” Craig said.

That’s what horse shows are all about, she said — not the blue ribbons, but the things you learn.

“I enjoy pushing myself to improve over what I did at the last competition,” she said. “It is not about always getting first place ... You are happy when your friends do well.

“Everyone is so generous in our club. They gladly share their talents and resources. If you don’t have a trailer to get to a show, there is always someone willing to come get you.”

John Amme said he likes being in 4-H because he has different friends other than his classmates.

“We are all in different schools and different grades and come together as club members,” Amme said. “I enjoy showing my horses with a relaxed showing experience. I really enjoy 4-H camp in the spring and the activities we do at camp.”

On Oct. 24, club members will have a benefit show at the Edmond Roundup Arena.

Proceeds will be used to assist Ethan Henry, a very young liver transplant recipient, with associated medical expenses. All proceeds from the show will go to his family to help with his medical bills.

“This is to benefit Ethan Henry, a Cloverbud 4-H member from Choctaw that has been diagnosed with leukemia,” Craig said. “He is currently in remission.”

4-H is open for those ages 9-19 with a mission to provide opportunities for all youth to reach their fullest potential by developing and enhancing skills for living. The focus of 4-H is on developing citizenship, leadership and life skills of youth through hands-on learning programs. Annual dues are $7 and interested students may join by attending a 4-H meeting. The Edmond Light Horse 4-H Club meets at 7 p.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month at various locations.

“Showing Other Livestock” will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Sorghum Mill Estates. Club member Karen Laubach will be the presenter.

A field trip to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum will be at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15.

The club has been rotating the location of the meeting so always call or check the Web site for additional information. Contact Craig at 415-5264 for the specific location and directions.

For more information on the club, visit Web site edmondlighthorse4h.ning.com/.