I feel that important players in the horse industry are starting to realize that it will not survive if we don't recruit new owners and enthusiasts. Being that the most clearly defined audience to be recruited is youth, I have been working with some professionals in the thoroughbred horse industry to expose the 4-H kids to their side of the industry.  

I organized a tour of Claiborne Farm as part of the Horse Track for Teen Conference (4-H leadership program that brings kids to campus). Fifteen 4-H youth in the horse program attended the tour of Claiborne Farm and learned about their stallions, including Run Happy, Orb, War Front, and of course Secretariat, their breeding program, their foal and yearling management, and hay production. 

To say that the kids had a great time, being treated like royalty, and being given very special attention, is an understatement. But I feel that the biggest impact I noticed was the fact that several of our equine students (from the Equine Science and Management major) were the hosts for this tour, including Corbin Blumberg, Jillian Gordon, Kyle Johnson, and Madison Scott, to name a few. It is very rewarding and satisfying to be the link between these 2 very important groups. 

I have been contacted to start planning for 2022.