The 4-H program provides young people with an opportunity to learn how to become productive, self-assured adults who can make their community and country a good place in which to live. This is fostered through project and program work, experiences with their 4-H club members and leaders and their participation in district, regional and even provincial programs.
The goal of the 4-H program is youth development. The objectives of 4-H clubs are knowledge, leadership, citizenship and personal development.
The 4-H Pledge:
The 4-H Motto:
Learn to do by Doing
About the Rusty Spurs
District: Abbotsford B.C. | Region: Fraser Valley
The Rusty Spurs 4-H Horse club has been running for over 30 years now, and still growing! We've seen the number of members be as small as 6, but have had upwards of 20! Either way, we always have fun with what we do! As a 4-H club, we don't just focus on our project work (the horses) we also do a number of program/ communication competitions throughout the year such as Speeches, Demonstrations, Speak & Shows, Education Displays, Judging and more offered by the club, district, regional and provincial level. There are also many travel opportunities for members and scholarships to be won. Sound hard? No worries! The senior members are always willing to help and encourage the juniors... and like wise!
Honour Pin
During your 4-H career, you will be working towards your honour pin. To do this you must first not only achieve 75% or higher in programs (ie. speeches, demonstrations, speak and shows and educational displays) but also achieve 75% or higher in project related activities (ie. showmanship, equitation, pleasure and trail). Feel free to ask leaders or senior members about your options.
The Horse Project
Our meetings begin in January and Unit Evaluations are held in February. The 4-H Project year runs from March 1st to August 31st. Members must keep a record book on the same horse (a Horse ID sheet must be filled out at the beginning of the year) for six months. Each rider and horse combination is put into a unit at which they are comfortable but can have something to work towards for Achievement day in September. The units begin at walk-trot (1) and advance on to the experienced horse and rider (6). There are also other projects for senior members such as a Green Horse Project, or Mare and Foal, and a Miniature horse project. For an overview of the 4-H Horse Units, please visit the Unit Evaluation page.
Throughout a members 4-H career, the member will move up as they are ready throughout the units. Some units may be harder to achieve and may take two years but this is very common. For more information on units head on over to the "Unit Requirements" page.
Clubs will usually put on clinics for their members throughout the year and many of the senior members will mentor the juniors. Getting ready for show season can be new to some, so these clinics can be very informative.
Starting in April, the 4-H show season begins and various clubs in the region host Horse shows. Each show runs English and Western classes for each unit. The club shows we are looking to attend this year are: Rusty Spurs 4-H Horse Club, Behind The Bit 4H - Horse Club, Prairie Trotters 4-H Horse Club, and Chilliwack 4-H Horse Club.