3 YEARS OF IMPACT: YOUTH COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HANDS-ON EQUINE CLINICS
Extension Education
Robyn Stewart
County Extension Coordinator
University of Georgia
Lincolnton
Abstract
Since 2023, the UGA 4-H/FFA Horse Clinic held in Newton County has provided hands-on learning opportunities for youth where few other regional opportunities exist. This annual one-day event is a collaboration between UGA Extension agents from Newton, Lincoln, and Pike Counties, professional trainers, and the Newton County Agricultural Center. Each clinic combines lecture and mounted instruction focusing on a specific area of interest, such as showmanship, horse judging, ranch riding, horsemanship, and equitation. Sessions are designed to strengthen knowledge, improve competency in the saddle, and create a mock competition environment for horse judging and hippology participants. Because of the hands-on nature of the program, participation is intentionally limited to about 10–15 youth each year, allowing for individual attention and feedback from clinicians. Over three years, 50 youth have participated—23 mounted and 27 in unmounted judging sessions. Evaluations show consistent knowledge gains across all disciplines, with average scores increasing by 44% in showmanship (2023), 97% in ranch horse judging (2024), 65% in ranch horse riding (2024), 38% in horsemanship (2025), and 50% in equitation (2025). Participants also reported feeling more confident in their abilities to judge horses accurately, ride discipline-specific patterns, and identify areas to improve through practice. These results highlight the value and necessity of regional, hands-on learning opportunities for youth involved in the Georgia 4-H horse program. The clinics have helped strengthen youth knowledge, horsemanship, and readiness for state-level events. Moving forward, they will continue to be offered annually, and their success suggests a model that could be expanded to support 4-H horse programs across Georgia.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Robyn Stewart, Ashley Best, Brooklyne Wassel
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Stewart, R. County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30817
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Best, A. County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30014
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Wassel, B. County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia, Georgia, 30295