Horses are an important agriculture industry and past time in Campbell County.  According to the Kentucky Horse Council and the last Kentucky Equine Survey, there are about 1600 horses in Campbell County with a value of goods and services of over 12 million dollars.  The 4-H Horse Program continues to grow in popularity.  We currently have 7 certified horse volunteers working with our Saddle Up 4-H Club members.  The need for youth to learn how to properly and safely care for and ride these animals was identified by community leaders.  To meet this need, the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program and the Saddle Up 4-H Club wanted to continue to sponsor our week-long 4-H Horse Camp.  This camp was held June 8-13, 2025 at the Alexandria Fairgrounds.

2025 marked the 35th year for the Campbell County 4-H Horse Camp.  For many of the youth and adults, 4-H Horse Camp is the highlight of their summer.  This year we had 50 youth and 70 adults from 5 counties attend this camp.  This camp has become a true family experience where most participants come and camp out for the week at the fairgrounds and share their love of horses.  Of the 7 instructors, 5 of them attended this camp when they were in 4-H and they wanted to give back to the program that had meant so much to them growing up.  Smaller groups this year allowed time for more one on one instruction time.  This agent secured additional financial support for camp from the Campbell County Extension District Board Special Programs Fund and the RC Durr Foundation.

On written and verbal evaluations, campers reported that they learned to be more responsible by caring and working with their horses and 100% reported that they had fun and learned at least one new skill.

The Kentucky State 4-H Horse Contests were held June 17-18 at the Locust Trace AgriScience Center in Lexington.  13 Campbell County 4-Hers entered 31 projects and competitions such as judging, public speaking, photography, crafts and sewing.  One teen won the Sr. Illustrated Talk Division and will now represent Kentucky 4-H at the Southern regional and National Competitions.

Furthermore, the 2025 Kentucky State Fair 4-H Horse Show was held June 28- July 2 at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center in Louisville.  Campbell County had 12 youth show 22 horses at this event. These 12 youth brought back 27 class championships and 7 youth won 8 high point awards.