Ballardsville High Riders Horse Club in Oldham County provides the opportunity for 4-H members to develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship and other desirable traits of character. 4-H members enhance their horsemanship knowledge, skills and develop an understanding of the equine business of breeding and training.

The changes brought on by 2020 and 2021 did not stop the club from continuing their journey.  The club hosted monthly educational virtual meetings taught by senior members when remote learning was in place.  After in person 4-H meetings resumed outdoor clinics and monthly educational club meetings were held.  Older members held a funding campaign to purchase additional equine professional study manuals to maneuver their learning. The members met weekly to study and practice for competitions with individual study modules between meetings from March thru November 2021. 

In June, the club participated in the 2021 Kentucky 4-H Horse Contest winning first place in Horse Bowl Team and Individual, Hippology Team and Individual, and Individual Overall in Judging.   Oldham County Horse Club members represented Kentucky at the Southern Regional National Horse Event, Quarter Horse Congress and at Eastern Nationals.  The team was the Champion Team for the Horse Judging Phase and Reserve Champion Team for the Written Exam Phase at Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup, Hippology Contest.

 “With the world reopening, I was very excited to compete in the KY State 4-H Horse Contest. I worked very hard and ended up winning many individual and team champion awards.  My team and I also earned the opportunity to represent Kentucky in hippology at three national competitions! 4-H is a huge part of my life and I enjoy every opportunity that I am offered through this amazing program. It has shaped me into the person I am today” thoughts shared by a horse club member. In addition, three horse club members represented Kentucky at National 4-H Congress.