The Mason County 4-H Horse Club welcomed a new certified leader in 2018. Since her arrival, the number of participants has shown growth and sustained participation throughout the program year. The certified volunteer has recruited more volunteer parents/guardians to assist her with club tasks such as providing snacks, crafts, etc. Due to her diligence and commitment to the club, the group has been able to attend multiple field trips including the Kentucky Horse Park, Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement center, and the Gluck Research Center on UK's campus. In addition to the trips, the club holds weekly meetings to ensure all participants have a chance to become immersed in the club. The leader has organized teens to lead a club painting activity that has encouraged youth to participate in the county fair and the state horse contest. She encourages youth to become active learners in the club, and inspires youth who do not have a horse to still feel welcome and included. This volunteer has countless year of experience with horse bowl/hippology and encourages youth to participate in the state contest to expand their knowledge-base of the equine industry, and all things horses. 

This year at the state contest we will have two junior horse bowl teams, multiple individual hippology participants, and numerous horse communications/arts entries. In recent years past Mason County was not represented at the state contest. This program has shown growth with participation of eight youth last year to twenty three youth this year. Among the participation growth, there is also growth of belonging with the club. One participant stated "I have been in the club for years but never knew we could go to Lexington to compete in the horse contest". Another youth said that "horse club is my favorite because I have made new friends and learned a lot of new stuff about horses".