Area E 4-H Horse Show

The 4-H Horse Program is growing and thriving in Pinellas County.  Last weekend 34 Pinellas riders and their horses joined 100 more from eight area counties for the Area E 4-H Horse Show at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa.  What a full weekend it was!  The excitement started on Friday when the competitors arrived with their families and friends for registration.  At registration Coggins test results are checked, bits and helmets inspected,  ponies are measured, and show packets handed out.  Then it is time to move into the stalls or practice, practice, practice.
Saturday classes begin at 8:00 a.m.  Last weekend the weather forecast was fairly threatening, so we all had our fingers crossed. Saturday is mainly English classes with the notable exception of the Speed Events and Trail which took place in the Charlie Lykes Arena.  The weather held until the afternoon and the very competent grounds crew was able to moved the jump class course to the covered pavilion before the storm hit.  In spite of the rain and wind, we were able to complete all the scheduled classes in good time.
Western classes are featured on Sunday with the recent additions of Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail.  Sunday's exceptions were the very elegant Dressage and the demonstration classes for miniatures. All classes missed the Sunday morning shower.
Of the 134 entries, 60% qualify to advance to the State 4-H Horse Show, also taking place at the State Fairgrounds.  Eighteen of the Pinellas competitors qualified for the state show on July 12-14.  The show is free, parking is free, so please come out and watch the best of the Florida 4-H Horse Program compete. 
Showing a horse involves a lot more than grooming and riding a horse.  Members are enrolled in a 4-H horse project,learn how to take care of a horse, learn to be organized and how to focus on a goal.
In the words of Dr. Ed Johnson, the horse program is designed to" improve citizenship, sportsmanship, horsemanship, character, competitive spirit, discipline, and responsibility..." (Florida 4-H Area & State Horse Shows Official Rules 2012).

For more information on the Florida 4-H Horse Program, go to Florida 4-H Horse Program

Springing into 4-H Events

If it is spring, it means that all 4-H calendars are full to overflowing. Last Saturday we completed our 4-H County Events with Demonstration Day. Of the 39 entries presented March 24, 24 have qualified to advance to Districts Events May 5 in Dade City. At Night of the Arts on March 2, several 4-H members were won in their age categories and will advance with their Share the Fun acts. They are Juniors Katie Dempsey and Stefan Mason (also eligible with demonstration), Intermediates Elizabeth Briggs/ Cheyenne Schoeppner (team), and Taylor Mason, and Seniors Rebekah Briggs and dance duo Abby Lang/John Roe.
We also had 23 4-H'ers submit poster and photo entries with 17 judged at blue ribbon level, qualifying them to advance to State competition.
Look for the Thursday Clearwater Gazette for a piece on Demonstration Day.
Area E Horse show is coming up April 21. At this point I am processing 33 entries for the show. Pinellas County has one of the largest delegations in this ten county show. We have entries from nine different clubs.

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Gainesville was the location of my meeting. My group was assigned to meet in the UF Small Animal Hospital. This is a very impressive building with state of the art services. If you are interested or have a 4-H'er interested in the College of Vet Medicine, there will be an open house April 14 that includes a tour of both large and small animal hospitals. More information can be found at : http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/about-the-college/administration/public-relations/cvm-open-house-2012/ .

If you have any questions about these events or about the Pinellas County 4-H program, please contact me at: jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

Help Support 4-H Community Service Project

Pinellas 4-H County Council is collecting canned goods as part of the District community service project CanRaiser. Four-H members are donating the goods to local food banks.
A second community service project is to collect items for the homeless. Along with the usual toiletry items like soap, toothpaste. or shampoo, homeless people also need socks, brushes, and wash cloths. These new items can be dropped off at the 4-H office or to any 4-H member.
If you are coming to Night of the Arts March 2, there will be a box to collect the canned goods and the items for the homeless. Show your 4-H spirit and support these worthy community serrvice projects.

Pinellas 4-H County Events

Springtime in 4-H means the competitive events are in full swing. One event common to all 4-H counties is called County Events. Pinellas County 4-H divides its County Events into two events - Night of the Arts and Demonstration Day.
Night of the Arts has three contests - Share the Fun, Poster Contest, and the Photo Exhibit. Share the Fun is the talent show with an emphasis on fun. This year's entries include piano, songs, a monologue, and dancers from ballroom to hula. Contestants are judged (except for Cloverbuds) and awarded ribbons. The top two winners in each age category advance to compete at District Events in Pasco County in May.
The Poster and Photo Exhibit Contest entries are turned in and displayed during Night of the Arts for everyone to enjoy. They are judged at a later date and the results are announced at Demonstration Day. Winning entries advance to the State competition in Gainesville.
Night of the Arts is a fun event, although it is important to remember that the entries are covered by the Communication and Expressive Arts project area. Theatre Arts, Photography, and Visual Arts are project book categories in 4-H. Some examples of these projects can be found at : http://www.florida4h.org/projects/Project_Enrollment_CAS.shtml.
Four-H members are not required to be enrolled in one of these projects to participate in any of the above contests.

The second half of County Events is Demonstration Day. Demonstration Day presentations are tied directly to the 4-H'ers project. The presentation, called a Demonstration or Illustrated Talk is an opportunity for the 4-H member to educate the audience on something interesting that was learned while working on the 4-H project. Last year the most popular project area for demonstrations was on horses.
Registration for Demonstration Day is open. All 4-H'ers who need an entry form should contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.
All blue ribbon winners are eligible to compete at District Events. Junior and Intermediate winners from Pinellas County earn a scholarship to 4-H Camp Ocala. Senior winners are awarded a scholarship to attend 4-H State Congress.

Night of the Arts takes place March 2 at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Pinellas County Extension Office.
Demonstration Day takes place March 24 at 9:00 a.m. also at the Extension Office.
The public is invited to attend these events. Come and learn a little more about what the Pinellas County 4-H program is all about.

Save the Date - April 14 for District Congress

Coming … District 4-H Junior Congress April 14, 2012
Pinellas 4-H Juniors and Intermediates, this event is for you!

Sarasota County 4-H will host District 9 4-H Junior Congress this year. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 14 (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; registration starts at 8:30 a.m.) at the Sarasota County 4-H Office, located at 6700 Clark Road (Twin Lakes Park) in Sarasota, FL 34241.

What is District Junior Congress? District Junior Congress is a fun-educational event for junior and intermediate 4-H’ers to participate in workshops and activities designed to develop leadership skills and learn about opportunities available in 4-H.

What Classes/Workshops are being offered? This year Senior 4-H’ers will be teaching sessions on Beekeeping, Dairy, Gardening, Mock Legislature, My Plate, Stop Bullying, Stow-it, Don’t Throw-it, and Waterworks. Everyone will get a chance to participate in most sessions.

What is the cost? The fee is $5.00 which includes materials. Please make your check payable to the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation. You must provide your own lunch.

How do I register? Copy the registration form below or request one from your 4-H leader, and return it to the Pinellas County 4-H Office by March 22nd. Your 4-H Agent will print your 4-H participation form (from 4-H online) and include it with your registration to the district.

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District 4-H Junior Congress
Saturday, April 14, 2012

Registration Form

Name:_________________________ Age:_______ County:______________________________

Address:______________________________________ Club:______________________________

Phone:______________________________________
e-mail:_______________________________

Please circle your top four (4) workshop choices:

Beekeeping
Gardening
Stow-it, Don’t Throw-it
Dairy
Stop Bullying
Waterworks

Please return the registration form and a $5.00 fee to the 4-H Office by March 22.

Start the Year with a 4-H Vegetable Garden

Registration is now open for the Ochs Garden 4-H Club. This program is open to youth ages 5-18. The garden is located at 14644 113th Avenue North, in Largo. The parking lot is located off of Hamlin. The garden is open on Wednesdays from 2-6 and Saturdays from 9-11. The 4-H club meetings are on Wednesdays at 4:00. For more information and a look at what we did during the fall garden season, go to: http://4-hochsgarden.weebly.com/index.html.

Each member is assigned a 10'x12' plot. All the starter plants and seeds are provided. Master Gardeners and knowledgeable volunteers teach techniques and assist the 4-H members to grow vegetables according to University of Florida guidelines. We use mainly organic methods, make our own compost, harvest rainwater, and learn to enjoy a variety of healthy foods. Best of all, the children have fun as they learn to garden, make sustainable choices, and spend time outdoors.

If you are interested in this program, please contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org or 727-582-2597 to register your child. You don't have to know anything about gardening to participate, but adults must be accompanied by at least one child. Registration deadline is January 16.

Holiday Lights and a Dog Parade - Perfect for 4-H Families

If you are looking for an inexpensive, relaxing way to spend an evening, make plans to come out to the Holiday Lights at the Florida Botanical Gardens (Extension Office address). The garden areas are filled with beautiful lighted decorations. Check out the pink flamingos!
An evening stroll is just what you need to ease away the stress of mall shopping.
You can avoid mall shopping by visiting the Gift and Plant Sale December 11 from 10a.m. until 4 p.m. A variety of items will be for sale, including jewelry, candies, outdoor items, and clothing. Plants for sale include bromeliads, orchids, native plants, and citrus.
Add a new family tradition to your holidays by entering the Dog Parade December 31. The parade will take place at 2 p.m. that Saturday. Registration is $5 per dog per category, with six categories: best costumed, sit and stay on command, best trick, best smile, most handsome boys and prettiest girls.
Registration for the parade will take place that day.
The lights, sale and parade are sponsored by the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation. For more information go to:http://www.flbg.org/foundation.htm