Also a reminder our next meeting is Monday July 11th at 6 PM - Lodi
Township Hall.
On Sun, Jul 3, 2016 at 1:20 PM, Susan Johnson <suezenj@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
*From:* Susan <suezenj@xxxxxxxxxxx>
*Date:* July 3, 2016 at 09:55:13 EDT
*To:* Geoffrey Culbertson <gculbert70@xxxxxxxxx>, Kelsey <
Overbeyk@xxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:**4H time commitment *
Hello everyone
I wanted to send out a quick informational letter about the 4H fair prior
to our meeting July11th. It would be extremely helpful for each kid to have
a parent attend this meeting because a lot of details will be shared, jobs
assigned, dinner plans made, trailering information, setup and tear down
times, equipment/tack needed.....
We are so excited about the fair this year and happy to have some new
faces showing all week. If you have not participated in 4H fair before, it
might take you by surprise that it is a huge time commitment. The typical
day starts at 7:00am and may go past 8pm. Each kid is completely
responsible for the care of the horse they bring to fair from pre trailer
prep at Watership Downs Sunday, to trailering back to Watership Downs late
Friday night. It is not in the best interest of your horse to leave the
fairgrounds during the day unless you have arranged this with another buddy
that is sharing a horse with you. If possible, it is best to not schedule
other activities during this week. It can be exhausting mentally and
physically for the kids ( and parents) but very rewarding in many ways.
Despite the heat, dust, the hard work, the kids can't wait to do it all
again the next year.
It is important to know that there is a commitment needed from the parents
too. The fair is not an activity where you can drop your rider off for the
day. Though all the care of the horses is to be done by the kids, they need
to have a support person present during parts of these long days,
particularly the younger/newer riders. The club sets up a tent on the hill
near the main ring where parents can hang out, cold drinks can be found,
kids can rest, and where dinner happens each night.
This is not intended to dissuade you or scare you about fair, but more a
perspective from someone who was once a rookie and didn't understand what
was involved commitment wise and wished I had known. I'm happy to answer
questions and help in any way.
Susan
