4-H horse and pony help?

Question

Ok. In my county we have horse and pony club in 4-h. We have about 10 meetings and 5 other functions a year . In july we have horse show for the club members to compete in. Everything from keyhole to dressage. Well a couple of the families in the club never make their kids come to any of the required meetings or functions, but then they let theire kids show in july.I won my halter class and was up for grand champion. one of the kids who never showed up to anything took grand champion. and this year this kid hasnt come to anything and is likely to come back and take grand champion again. Heres my question (sorry so long):

~Do you think i should go to the fair-board about setting a minimum on how many functions you must attend to be eligble to show in july or do you think i should talk to my leader about setting a mimimum?

~i felt bad for a new kid: it was his 1st year and he got reserve all because this snot-nose decided to come to the show after this 1st year member worked so hard

Answer 1

If they are in the 4-H, then it seems they would be required to attend a certain amount of meetings.  I would wonder that they are not missed at the meetings.  I think it is up to the leader to decide the mandatory requirments in order to show.  Considering the busy schedules everyone has these days, make sure the parents aren't the ones denying the meetings to the kids.  Maybe the show is the only thing they have time to go to.

If the show is only for 4-H members and they aren't attending meetings then they aren't really members.  Could be that they are just using that as a buy in to attend another show and walk off with winnings.  Their parents should not allow that either.

All in all i would mention it to the leader in  concern for the "new kid" and ask if the rules are being properly followed.  I wouldn't want to look like a poor sport though because I lost a ribbon to the rule breakers.

Answer 2

I have been involved with 4-H for many years as just a parent in the early years, to the leader of 1 project, to leading  4 projects, as well as active on our county 4-H advisory board. Each club in our county has a set of bylaws voted on when the club is first started that all club members are required to adhere to.

If your club does not have bylaws go to your community leader first, if that does not get results then go to your county agent, have a talk about what the county requires.

If your county does not take an active roll in setting bylaws, go to your state 4-H. Keep going up the chain of command until you get  rules set for participation.

Our club requires 80% participation.

If you take a project you must be present at 80% of the project meetings, plus 80% of all club meetings to be a member in good standing. If at the end of the year you have not met these standards you cannot participate the next year.

I have always had very strong feelings about the way somethings in 4-H are carried out, such as a child that truly does all of the work for his project that must compete with a child that has parents that either do the work, or hire people to train the childs animal. This can only be changed by people that truly believe 4-H is a great learning experience, and let their child experience the actual learning process.

Good Luck!!!!

Answer 3

i know its frustrating.

my sister is in 4H. She goes to as many meetings as she can but usually doesnt make it alot of times. But in her 4H theres a minimum amount of meetings you have to do before you can show at the county fair. Of course she makes the minimum but like one year she came up short, but they still let her show.

I know it may be frustrating but this is like saying everyone at my barrel races have to meet up before the barrel race and if you dont show up, you can't do a run. Which you and i both know would not happen. Honestly them going to meetings or not isn't really any of your buisness. Im not trying to be offensive but its true, as long as your 4H doesnt have a problem you have no buisness saying they cant show because they dont come to meetings.

You can talk to the board if you want to, but honestly it sounds like your mad just because these kids may be as good or better than you. Just let it go and leave it alone. its none of your buisness. if the Fair board had a problem with it they wouldnt let these people show.

Just my personal opinion, not trying to be offensive....

also if you get them to make the minimum those people who want to show will show up to those meetings, theres a girl my sister is up against in pleasure and games. (My sister has a game horse, and a peanut rollar :]) so does this girl. And its always neck and neck between them

you cant get angry because someone is better than the new kid, it just means the other kid has to work harder.

Answer 4

I think both would be appropriate. People who only show up for shows aren't really members and are in it purely for the prestige and not for the love of it!

Answer 5

This is a tough question, but I really think that in order to show if its a CLUB show, that they should actually participate in the club.  I would talk to your 4-H leader about it, and mention that if the show is only for the members of your 4-H club, then they should meet a minimum requirement throughout the year to show their participation.  Like go to a mandatory number of meetings, or whatever things the members do throughout the year.

If, however, the show is open to kids that are not just in the club, then you really can't make a requirement to be eligible for show, since if the kid that took grand champ could have shown up regardless if he was a member of the club or not.

I hope this makes sense.....but if you approach your leader about it, and mention that it might make the kids more active with the entire principle of the club, and not just the showing aspect, they might go for it.  Recommend instating a new rule for next year that is very easy and basic, like 2 meetings, and providing a baked good for the horse show concession stand or something.