Julie Brown, Warren Co. Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, and Catherine Webster, Simpson Co. Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, served as the co-contact agents for the 2022 South Central KY 4-H Horse Camp. There were four planning meetings with the committee which included twelve adult and teen volunteers from Mammoth Cave Extension counties, three of which served as tri-chairs for the camp. Sixty-two youth and 120 adults attended the three-day, two-night camp that included seven workshops, 14 hours of discipline instruction and riding time. South Central KY 4-H Horse Camp was cancelled for two years due to Covid but 66% had participated in previous years.

One of the top priorities of the KY 4-H Horse Program is safety; all youth riding in 4-H must wear an ATSM certified helmet. Ninety-four percent of horse camp participants increased their horsemanship because of horse camp and 52% percent of participants practiced proper riding form.  Seventy-eight percent learned more about the 4-H Horse Program by participating in the horse camp. This was the first year we offered a Equestrian with Disabilities division. We had one participant from Simpson County and the guardian comment “So grateful for the Disabilities class! Michele and Stephanie were fabulous! My nephew who has autism loved his time!” Of the sixty-two youth that attended Horse Camp, eight were from Simpson County.