By Courtney Murphy
Since 1902, 4-H clubs have been changing the lives of kids across Thurston County. For most people, the Thurston County Fair is a fun escape filled with rides, food, and entertaining shows and animals, but for the many kids (and their supportive parents) involved in 4-H, the fair is so much more than that.
For Thurston County 4-H club members, the fair is the pinnacle of their entire year. This is the time when they are able to show off what they have made or learned, compete with animals they have spent countless hours working with, and have fun with like-minded friends.
4-H teaches kids how to be responsible, hardworking, and motivated. I experienced the benefits of being involved in horse 4-H as a member of the Blazing Saddles Club from third grade until I graduated from Tumwater High School. I joined 4-H with encouragement from my parents, and because I wanted to improve at the sport I was so passionate about.
“We wanted to join the revolution of responsibility,” Cynthia Worth, a 4-H parent, said about her family’s experience with the organization. “I do not believe that there is a better program out there for kids and families to not only learn a project, but to be a better member of [the] community. That’s what 4-H teaches and promotes.”
Cynthia and another experienced 4-H parent, Gail Kaufman, will be co-superintendents of the horse department next year. Their goal is to keep kids involved through high school, when their lives get busier with more studies and the high school equestrian team. “4-H relies on older kids staying involved to become mentors to younger members,” Kaufman explained.
Emily Quentin, a recent Tumwater High School graduate who has been involved in 4-H for 11 years, remembers her time as a junior and how the seniors helped her learn how to take better care of her horse and get ready for shows. When she first started, she knew very little about showing, but she looked up to the seniors and followed what they did, and became a successful competitor. Partially because of this guidance early on, last year she made it to state on the performance team. “This has always been a goal of mine since I joined 4-H,” Quentin said.
In the horse department, being successful at the Thurston County Fair takes a lot of preparation and practice. Malorie Mahoney, an intermediate in the Blazing Saddles Club heading into 7th grade, remarked that to be prepared, she tried to have her tack and show clothes ready even before pre-fair.
Jordan Holcomb, another Blazing Saddles intermediate member going into 6th grade, practiced often with her trainer and her horse, Bella, to get ready for her first time at fair this year. Jordan described her first year experience so far as “exciting,” because she “got to meet new friends and get close to horses.”
Although they are not supposed to help directly with the horses, parents of 4-H members often volunteer to clean and set up the fairgrounds, and run fundraisers and events that make the fair possible.
“There’s hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours that the public doesn’t see,” Cynthia said. This year she has been working on sprucing up the barns and attending to “long-deferred” maintenance projects. “Instead of just one club or one person running this…everyone is taking on more responsibility, which when spread makes it a more successful program in general,” Cynthia said.
Outside of showing, the horse 4-H program is largely focused on the education of both its members and the public. Most kids in the program complete record books, make educational posters, and give public presentations. These activities teach the kids to organize their thoughts and to be comfortable in front a crowd. “Giving oral presentations and having to talk to the public during the fair has boosted my confidence immensely,” Malorie said.
“To me, this is one of the most important aspects of the program,” Gail explained. “It is our job to help let the 4-H members know how important it is for them to hone in on those skills.” Next year as superintendents, both Gail and Cynthia plan to encourage more kids to participate in this educational portion of 4-H.
Although 4-H is very focused on competition and education, one of its most important aspects is having fun. After the competition, there are often games at night put on by the superintendents as well as drill team exhibitions from the local high schools.
This emphasis on creating a fun environment also creates a strong community between members and clubs alike.
“Thurston County is not really separated clubs. I truly feel like this is one big club,” Gail said.
To show your support for this program, visit the Thurston County Fair through August 2 and stop in at the horse department. Talk to a 4-H member, club leader or superintendent.
