“4-H has significantly impacted and changed my life for the better. 4-H has enabled me to find my place in the world, build valuable relationships and connections, shaped my plans for the future and further developed my passions.  Through 4-H, I’ve learned the importance of hard work and obtained strong values, morals, and essential life skills such as leadership, public speaking and communication skills.  Furthermore, 4-H has opened doors to unique opportunities and experiences that I wouldn’t have had if I were not a 4-H member. Ultimately, 4-H has set me up for success by giving me the knowledge and skills I need for a successful career.” The statement above was provided by an Oldham County 4-H Ballardsville High Riders member. 

When she joined 4-H, she simply wanted to show her horse, she had no idea where 4-H would lead her in the years to come. She has trained her young horse entirely on her own with the support of 4-H. At the 4-H State Horse Show, they placed in the top five in every class and won their first buckle in the flag race with a time of 12.24 seconds. She has represented Kentucky in Horse Bowl and Hippology at Southern Regional National Horse Event, Quarter Horse Congress, and at Eastern Nationals, placing in the top four in every contest. 

When joining 4-H she was noticeably quiet and did not speak up often. But then during COVID, she presented her first speech to the horse club members via ZOOM, and she was off on her public speaking journey, placing first in the county contest this past year. She wanted to spread the 4-H word in the homeschool community, so she started a homeschool club with her mother serving as the leader where she teaches monthly lessons. This fall, she will start her next journey which is pursuing a degree in Equine Studies focusing on Equine Rehabilitation, where she received a full scholarship from her University of choice.

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.