NCTA Youth Horse Camp
08.23.10
NCTA Youth Horse Camp
By Jessica Koelsch
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Equestrian Team held their annual youth horse camp June 25 through the 27. This year, twenty-one youths ranging in age from twelve to sixteen years old and their horses attended.
It was a weekend filled with horseback riding, games, and learning many things about their equine partners.
On Friday, after checking in the campers and horses, there was an introduction to horse judging taught by the Equestrian Team’s western coach, T.L. Meyer. Later there was an introduction to being safe while on the ground and in the saddle that was taught by T.L. Meyer, Wendy Cole and Jo Teter. In the evening the campers were divided into two groups based on age and riding ability. While one group was learning equitation with their horses, the other group was learning about horse behavior, health and nutrition. Before turning in for the night, the campers enjoyed watching the film “The Derby Stallion.”
NCTA Youth Horse Camp
Saturday’s events included a lesson on Hippology (the study of horses), a presentation on how to feed their horses by Purina representative Alan Taylor, and a lesson on grooming by Jo Teter. Jeanne Mueller gave a lesson on speed events such as pole bending and barrels. The NCTA Ranch Horse coach, Roy Cole, gave a lesson on roping. The NCTA Equestrian Team English coach, Katy Jones, gave those that were interested a lesson in English equitation. Evening activities included an excellent chuck wagon meal and Dutch oven dessert provided by Rex Cole. The evening concluded with the movie “Spirit.”
To conclude the horse camp on Sunday, all of the campers participated in a little friendly competition. A mock show was held with events in equitation (judged by T.L. Meyer), poles, barrels, and a “surprise class” that sent the riders on a scavenger hunt that was enjoyed by all. The show concluded in the awarding of the herdmanship award. Throughout the weekend the campers were divided into teams and were observed in their care of their horses. They were judged on how clean the stalls, water buckets, and feed was kept along with how their equipment was organized. The team with the highest number of points by the end of the weekend was awarded with the title of champions. The team with the second highest point total was awarded the title of reserve champions.
The NCTA Equestrian Team would like to thank everyone that attended the camp and hopes that they will return next year. The team would also like to thank Roy and Judy Cole, Wendy Cole, Rex Cole, T.L. Meyer, Katy Jones, Jeanne Mueller, Jo Teter, Alan Taylor, and NCTA’s horse practicum class for all of their help.
Information on next year’s camp can be obtained by contacting Judy Bowmaster-Cole at jbowmaster1@unl.edu.
Tags: Hippology, NCTA Equestrian Team, T.L. Meyer, youth horse camp
