Horses Rock 4-H Club Bulletin Board

Neat Horse Event this weekend

2009-10-06T03:59:00.000-07:00

Bluebonnet is a wonderful organization that helps so many horses. Hope you can come out and support this wonderful group. Jere Johnson will be one of the clinicians.

2009 Bluebonnet Horse Expo!

October 10, 2009
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Travis County Expo Center – 7311 Decker Lane, Austin, Texas

Event will occur rain or shine – this is a covered facility.

Join us for a day of fun, family, friends, learning.. and best of all HORSES! The day includes clinics

Clinics throughout the day include:
Michael Vermaas "From Rescue to Competition"
Jere Johnson "Horsenalities"
Charlotte Morris "Muscles in Motion"
Kay McFall "Horse Safety: On the Ground, Mounting, Dismounting & 1-Rein Stops"
Kaylon Sullins "Horse Psychology"
Cathy Sullins "The Mechanics of Bits"
"Top" Ramirez "Communicating Through Problems"

Prime Time Express, Lone Star Vaulters and the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association will all be performing as well.

The day also include a live and silent auction of horse items – including several gently used saddles (dressage, all purpose, western), a pony cart, and much more as well as a great vendor area, Parade of Breeds, rescue horses to meet and much more. This year also includes the inaugural Bluebonnet Art Show and inaugural Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge.

You can learn more at www.bluebonnethorseexpo.com

Leadership Opportunity (resume building)

2009-09-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

National 4-H Conference

Posted: 15 Sep 2009 12:12 PM PDT

WHAT IS NATIONAL 4‐H CONFERENCE?:
The National 4‐H Conference is the Secretary of Agriculture's premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4‐H Youth Development Program.

The National 4‐H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults‐‐at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture‐‐assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4‐H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. This event brings together
youth, volunteer leaders, and state and county Extension staff members from across the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the Canadian Provinces. As the sponsor for this conference, the National 4‐H Headquarters‐‐located within Families, 4‐H, and Nutrition at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's (USDA's) Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES)‐‐is charged with sharing the recommendations that emerge from the conference with the Secretary of Agriculture, national Extension Program Leaders, and others who determine 4‐H programs. At the same time, ensuring that the conference is a meaningful experience for the youth and adult participants.

DATES AND LOCATION:
The 2010 National 4‐H Conference will be held at the National 4‐H Youth Conference Center. The National 4‐H Youth Conference Center is located in a quiet, 12‐acre campus‐like setting in Maryland, one mile from the nation's capital, making it the perfect gateway to Washington, D.C.'s leaders, monuments and museums. The Conference Center is operated by the National 4‐H Council. To read more interesting history on the National 4‐H Youth Conference Center, visit http://www.4hcenter.org/center_history.html.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?:
The National 4‐H Conference requires youth who are focused and committed to working during the Conference and in their state. The Texas delegation will consist of 10 youth delegates, who need to engage in pre‐ and post conference work and participate in all scheduled conference activities. The minimum age requirement for a Texas youth delegate is 15 years old (must be by January 1, 2010). The maximum age for a youth delegate is 18.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications must be submitted online and certified through 4H CONNECT by November 15, 2009. Final selection of delegates will be made on the basis of the online application. The final selection of delegates will be announced on, or before, December 1, 2009. Please refer to the Application/Nomination for 4‐H Recognition Form (4‐H 3‐2.041) to help you complete the online application. This form is available from the
Publication page of the Texas 4‐H and Youth Development Program website (http://texas4‐h.tamu.edu).

COST:
The delegate's share of registration, adult chaperone registration, lodging, airfare, meals, and transportation costs is $1500.00. This registration fee will be due on January 5, 2010.

High School Rodeo

2009-09-14T03:33:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn Shaheen, Horses Rock 4-H, and her horse “Frosty”, finished 7^th in Pole Bending and 13^th in Barrel Racing at Texas High School Rodeo #1 and #2 in Gonzales, Texas September 12^th and 13^th. Rodeos 3 & 4 will be held October 10^th and 11^th.

2009 Jr. Leadership Retreat

2009-09-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

2009 Jr. Leadership Retreat

2009 Junior Leadership Retreat, November 6-8, 2009
Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, Texas
This event is open to youth ages 8 (and in the third grade) and up to 14 as of August 31, 2009
Cost: $120.00 - youth
$80.00 - adult
The workshop will focus on basics such as communication skills, leadership, team building, new
project and/or activity opportunities, community service, leading recreation, how to manage
groups, and more. It is the goal of the workshop to empower youth with the skills they need to
become leaders in their community clubs and county programs.
If youth would like to attend, a parent(s) need to serve as chaperons

DATE CHANGE - Tuesday September 15 General Membership Meeting

2009-09-02T02:40:00.000-07:00

There has been a DATE CHANGE for our 1st General Membership Meeting of the year. Our normal meeting date conflicted with two school districts’ Curriculum night. Please mark the change on your calendar:

Horses Rock 4-H Club

General Membership Meeting

NEW DATE: TUESDAY, September 15^th

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm.

The Old School House in the Village of Bee Cave

13333 W. Highway 71 #A

Bee Cave, TX 78738

Map and Directions: http://horsesrock.org/meetings.html

Meeting Agenda:

This is our first meeting for this 4-H year so plan to get reacquainted, greet new members, and enjoy an exciting program. Come see what 4-H can offer you. We will be offering AWARDS and PRIZES for ATTENDANCE this year, so be sure to attend.

Groups Also meeting at The Old Schoolhouse, Tuesday, September 15^th

6:30 – 7:00 Officer’s Meeting

6:30 – 7:00 Junior Horse Project – for grades 3-6^th http://horsesrockjuniors.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your participation!

Hannah McVaney
President, Horses Rock 4-H Club
Travis County, TX
512-744-3305 (Mom Dena’s Cell)
denamcvaney@yahoo.com
Club News: http://www.horsesrock4h.blogspot.com/

Web Site: www.horsesrock.org

Apply to Calf Scramble at San Antonio

2009-08-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

February 4th - 21st

ARENA RULES The Calf Scramble, a crowd favorite event, takes place during each rodeo performances excluding bull riding. In the Calf Scramble event, twenty four determined 4-H and FFA members, compete with one another to catch, halter and coax across the winner's line, one of only twelve calves to choose from. The twelve successful scramblers receive an $800 certificate to purchase a breeding animal to be raised and brought back to the Stock Show the following year. 2009 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Purchase Certificates may be used to purchase breeding animals only and in only one (1) of the following Junior Breeding Animal Departments: Beef, Dairy, Swine, Sheep and Goats.

1. Contestants will carry a halter into the arena, with an attached ten-foot rope supplied by the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Neither the halter nor the rope may be used as a lariat. The halter must be placed on the animal as instructed in the Calf Scramble Orientation.

2. Contestants may not work as a "team". Each contestant will attempt to catch and halter one of the calves. Each contestant catching a calf is required to lead that calf across the finish line without assistance. After placing the halter on the calf, the contestants will not be permitted to fasten the rope to themselves in any manner.

3. If a contestant has hold of a calf, no other contestant will be allowed to touch the calf unless it breaks away. If two or more contestants catch the same calf, they will be ordered by the referee to release the calf.

4. If a calf is caught by the tail, the contestant will be allowed a reasonable amount of time to place the halter on the calf. However, at the direction of the referees, the contestant must let the calf go.

5. Poor sportsmanship will automatically disqualify the contestant. Undue roughness will not be tolerated, whether towards participants or to the animal. There will be no less than 8 referees appointed.

6. Proper attire must be worn. Jeans, closed-toed shoes, and the issued Calf Scramble t-shirt are required. (Overalls, flip flops, sandals, shorts, and hats/caps are not allowed.)

4-H members interested in participating in the San Antonio Livestock Show Calf Scramble need to contact Cory. To be eligible, members must have reached their 12th birthday, but not their 18th by January 1, 2010. All required forms including medical release will need to be completed with all original signatures and document needs to be notarized. Completed forms will need to be returned to the County Extension Office by September 21st.
****Completing the forms does not guarantee that you will be selected to compete in the scramble. There is a selection from all applications submitted throughout the district.**** If interested or would like to know more information, please contact Cory Talley at cmtalley@ag.tmau.edu to get the required forms and additional information.

Horses Rock in the Lakeway July 4th Parade

2009-06-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Calling on all Members of Horses Rock 4-H Club – This should be a lot of fun!

Horses Rock in the Lakeway 4^th of July Parade

Horses Rock 4-H has been asked to participate in this year’s 4^th of July Parade in Lakeway.

We will walk behind the Wells Fargo Stagecoach (complete with a team of horses) holding our 8 foot 4-H “Horses Rock 4-H Banner”.

We will also have a wheelbarrow decorated with a sign on each side (decorated by the City).

One sign will be Horses Rock 4H club and the other side will be Lakeway Veterinary Clinic.

(This wheelbarrow will be used by Horses Rock if the Wells Fargo horses decide to drop anything along the parade route)

Logistics:

7:45 AM The 4H Club (with Banner) will meet at the Live Oak Golf Course parking lot 2510 Lakeway Drive Austin, TX 78734 (512) 261-7173

Map to Lakeway Live Oak Golf Course (members can be dropped off on the corner of Flamingo St and Dragon St) and walk over to the parking lot at 7:45 am where the horses will be. We need at least five parade walkers. Three people are needed to carry the banner, one person to handle the wheelbarrow and one 4-H member to carry the shovel. It would be beneficial to rotate the duties. The more members (and Parents) we can have walk in the parade, the better our Club’s visibility.

8:30 AM The parade will leave Live Oak and proceed down Lakeway Drive to the activity center at Cross Creek.

9:30 AM The parade is expected to be over by 9:30. Once the parade is over, the wheelbarrow and shovel can be left behind the activity center near the dumpster.

Please WEAR YOUR 4-H Tee Shirt from any year

Please RSVP to Stevi Skinner, our 3^rd Vice-President and Chairmen of Recreation and New Member Recruitment (Lucy Ryan, our 4^th Vice-President and Chairman of Community Service is out of the country, so this responsibility falls on Stevi). Please RSVP to Stevi Skinner 261-3322 jellospaz4@aim.com and Cindy her mother at cindyvet405@earthlink.net

Officer Duties:

Stevi – With the parade so close, please personally call each member who does not RSVP to you in the next day or two. The City of Lakeway is counting on our participation. You may want to split up the list between some other officers to get the calling done as soon as possible. Please contact Hannah McVaney, our President if you need any assistance.

Hannah – Since we do not have a Club Reporter, please assign this duty to whomever is available. We will definitely want pictures.

Lakeway Contacts:

Nancy Clayton, the Parade Chair cell 925-2820 nclayton@trane.com

Larry Elliott cell 517-7723 larry@ljelliott.com

AndraStreety@cityoflakeway.com

Travis County 4-H Important Deadlines

2009-06-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

From our Extension Agent, Cory Talley

RECORDBOOKS are due June 22nd. The Extension office closes at 5:00 p.m. so please make sure you arrive before closing time.
County Recordbook Judging – Friday, June 26^th at the Travis County East Center at 6011 Blue Bluff Road, We need several judges. If you turned in a book, it would be a great learning opportunity if you could help judge. We will be holding our judging with Caldwell County.
Award Forms Due – Tuesday, June 30^th by 5:00 p.m. This includes, Rookie, All Star, Honor Roll, Letterman, Project Summary Awards, Gold Star, Silver Star, Bronze Star, I DARE You Award, Volunteer Leader Award. All applications can be found on the travis4h.com website.

Cory Talley

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Travis County
County Extension Agent (4-H)
1600 B Smith Road
Austin, TX 78721
512-854-9600
512-854-9611 - fax

http://travis4h.com

http://travis4h.blogspot.com

June 5th and 6th Horsemanship School Flyer and Form

2009-05-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

From:

Linette Zoeller

HYE PIPE & FEED

10243 Hwy 290 W

Hye, TX 78635

830-868-0200 Office

830-868-4549 Fax

Subject: Horsemanship School Flyer and Form

Hi Everyone.

The Hill Country Spurs 4-H Club is putting on a horsemanship clinic June 5 & 6; in Johnson City at the County Fairgrounds. The cost is $60 for the first person and $40 for the second from the same family. The clinic begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. both days. The fee includes horsemanship instruction from Texas A&M students; lunch snacks and drinks and for those that are young at heart an overnight lock in at the Blanco County Exhibit Hall. A flyer is attached.

Visit our web-site at: http://hillcountryspurs.org

Please forward this flyer to friends that might be interested in attending. If you are able, please print and post at your local feed store or riding arena. Thank you for helping us get this out there.

April

Great Horse/Community Service Opportunity

2009-05-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

To Horses Rock Members who are 14 or older,

I am confident you all remember the Horses Rock Membership Meeting March 9^th when Jennifer Young, Children's Therapy Services, spoke to us about how Horses help special needs children.

Jennifer has a need for a volunteer to help with her program (age at least 14) for June - mid July. The hours will either be Mon, Tue or Thur from 7:30 am - 11:30. Contact Jennifer at:

· Jennifer Young, PT, MS

· Physical Therapist

· phone 512.331.1999

· fax 512.331.9199

Her email address is: jen@homects.com

Jennifer’s web site is: www.homects.com

Hippotherapy is the use of horseback riding as a therapy tool. Horseback riding combined with physical therapy offers a dynamic and empowering opportunity for children who are in need of improving range of motion, strength, balance, coordination and gross motor skills.

Please let me know if you volunteer for this opportunity. Your hours will count toward Community Service and may count toward the Vet Tech program (I would need to verify the vet eligibility).

Regards,

Holly Carson

Better late than never

2009-05-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

Note: I realized I never sent this email that I composed following the Play Day. It is never too late to say thank you, so I send this belatedly. Holly

Playday was fun for one and all! What a Great Success!

Thanks to all the volunteers!

Horses Rock extends a special thanks to our visiting 4-H parent, Mr. Sladen Summers, from the Boerne 4-H Club, who brought his two daughter’s to participate and who acted as our Arena Steward throughout the show. What a fantastic 4-H attitude Mr. Summers’ exemplifies. Mr Summers, who is active in all aspects of the Berne 4-H, works closely the 4-H Horse Judging Team and he also judges shows. Mr. Summers has generously offered to return when we need a judge for one of our events!! THANK YOU MR. SUMMERS!!!

Special recognition goes out to Donna DeGroot, from D Ranch who worked the entire day handing out the awards and working the timer. Donna brought her boarder, Deb, who worked tirelessly by her side. It takes a special person to continue with 4-H Adult Volunteer work long after they children are grown and gone. Thank you Donna and Deb!!

Our Horses Rock Parent’s really came through!

Concessions were led by Dena McVaney with parents contributing so many donated items and baked goods. I was occupied elsewhere most of the playday, but I saw Kim, Stephanie, Mary, and Betty Jane serving participants food and drink throughout the day. What a great selection we had. Thanks also to those parents who worked that I missed. My lack of observation does not take away from your efforts. So much work goes into a well prepared and well run concessions, my hat is tipped to you all. I am so proud of our parents! Jon Taute manned the grill and did a great job.

Registration was headed up by Lou Torres. Helping Lou was Merrie, Mary, and Susan and Lou’s friend (yikes I can’t remember his name – my apologies). This is such an essential part of the success of the play day, their efforts were so important. Thank you.

A special “behind the scene’s Thank You goes out to Lou Torres and Sheree Husta. Sheree learned the playday software program, loaded updates, initiated the registration database and got our new Horses Rock printer! Wow. Lou was up until 1 am the evening before the playday preparing our 1^st ever program. THE PLAYDAY PROGRAM WAS GORGEOUS! And special thanks to Shannon, our 4-H Horse Manager, who provided her artistic talent to the project. I was/am so impressed. I need to give a shout out to Tania Polasek – our never seen helper (Tania works for me) who counted all our inventory ribbons, ordered the awards in time, and does so much every week for the club.

Conducting the Show Heading up the Computer entry of all registrants, and printing all the class lists and printing all the results and running the high point program and getting in all those last minutes changes was Sheree Husta, computer wiz extraordinaire.

THE SLACKS – Kathy and Eddie Kathy really showed her grit and fantastic 4-H spirit by doing all the announcing even though she had the flu. As always, we are so grateful for the use of the arena and facilities.

I am sure I did not do justice in recognizing all the help that went into this show, and for that I apologize. For example, I do not know the name of the talented young lady that Kathy recruited for the Horse Judging and I am sure that I missed some busy parent pitching in. Bottom line, I am so proud and grateful for our parents, our volunteers, and I consider myself privileged to work with the wonderful young people in Horses Rock 4-H.

Holly

District 10 Horse Show Information

2009-05-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

Attached is the District 10 Horse Show Information.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Cory Talley

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Travis County
County Extension Agent (4-H)
1600 B Smith Road
Austin, TX 78721
512-854-9600
512-854-9611 - fax

http://travis4h.com

http://travis4h.blogspot.com

Summer 4-H Opportunities

2009-05-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

County Camp Registration – July 13th - 16th at the Texas 4-H Conference Center at

Lake Brownwood. Youth will participate in archery, riflery, canoeing, dances, games,

swimming and other activities. Youth must be 9 years of age or older. Register on 4-H

Connect by June 16th. Travis County has 8 spots still available. Cost is $200.00. Due to a

generous donor, each participant will be reimbursed $100.00 after returning from the trip.

Recordbook Workday – Monday, June 8th, Cory will be available at the office from

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to help those who would like assistance. Bring a copy of your

recordbook, the flash drive and any other information you may need.

Recordbooks are due June 22nd, by 5:00 p.m.

Leadership Lab Registration – for youth ages 13 to 18 (have not graduated high

school). A leadership workshop for youth in District 10, June 22nd - 24th to be held at the

Texas 4-H Conference at Lake Brownwood. Youth will need to register on 4-H Connect

and pay the full fee. After returning, participants can be reimbursed 50% of the fee.

Registration is from April 27 – May 13th. The cost of Leadership Lab will be $170.00.

This fee includes 6 meals, 2 nights lodging, and 2 night time snacks, health care, limited

insurance, T-shirt and more!

Youth Leadership Program – Public Speaking program for youth ages 12 and up. Cost

of the program is free. Youth will be responsible for purchasing their own lunch. Group

will leave site each day for a lunch break. Dates are June 15th -17th and location will be at

the Goodwill Community Center located at 35 and 183. Start time will be 9:00 am. To

4:00 p.m. A graduation ceremony will be held on Wednesday night (location TBD) for

participants and families. Participants will give their final speech.

Professional yoU Day – for youth ages 13 to 18. This workshop will be focused on

preparing youth for interviews, completing applications, dining etiquette at the Ventana

Restaurant at the Texas Culinary Academy, appropriate attire, and other topics. Youth

can anticipate spending at least $20.00. Event will take place on Wednesday, July 22nd;

need to meet at the Extension Office at 9:00 a.m.

Food Project Fun Day – Monday, July 6th, Meet at the Extension Office by 9:00 a.m.

Morning workshop on making chocolate lollipops, Lunch at the Good Luck Grill and an

afternoon tour at Austin Nuts.

Recordbooks

2009-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to make a record book and submit it for competition:

Recordbook Workday - Monday, June 8, 2009 at 1600 B Smith Road in the Travis County Extension Office

Cory will be available at the office from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for those who would like help/assistance with their books

Judging Date: Friday, June 26th
Location: TBD (will take place in Travis County)
Time: TBD (will start in the morning)
Lunch will be provided!!
Travis County will be teaming up with Caldwell County this year. This is a great opportunity to learn more about recordbooks, the judging process and gain new ideas and opinions.
REMINDER

Recorbooks are due Monday, June 22, 2009 - by 5:00 p.m.

Cory Talley

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Travis County
County Extension Agent (4-H)
1600 B Smith Road
Austin, TX 78721
512-854-9600
512-854-9611 - fax

http://travis4h.com

http://travis4h.blogspot.com

District 10 Horse Show May 14th Deadline

2009-05-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

From Cory Talley -

I am sending an update regarding the paperwork I will need in my office by May 14th for the D-10 Horse Show.

First, you will need to register on 4-H Connect for all of the classes you want to enter. When it asks for a county horse number, don't worry about that, I will input that for you.

I will need the following for each participant if you have not yet submitted that to me.

Coggins papers (negative - with date valid through at least the end of July)

participant release forms and
medical waiver

If you have any questions or problems with 4-H Connect, please let me know.

Cory

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Travis County
County Extension Agent (4-H)
1600 B Smith Road
Austin, TX 78721
512-854-9600
512-854-9611 - fax

http://travis4h.com

http://travis4h.blogspot.com

President's Student Service Awards

2009-05-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

President's Student Service Awards

Posted: 06 May 2009 12:52 PM PDT

Log your community service hours and receive recognition! The award application has been posted to the travis4h.com website under the "forms" tab. Applications and log of hours due: June 5, 2009.

Community Service Project - Trash Pick-up in MAY 23rd

2009-05-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Group Community Service Hours Opportunity

Horses Rock 4-H Club is planning a highway trash clean-up, Saturday, May 23rd.

Sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation and Travis County 4-H and Horses Rock 4-H Club:

Volunteer Sign Up: Please RSVP to info@horsesrock.org with attendee names and contact phone numbers prior to the event

When: Saturday, May 23rd , 2009
Where: 801 Pace Bend Rd, Spicewood (intersection of Bee Creek Road and Pace Bend Park Rd (HWY 2322))

[parking lot of the restaurant “Lee’s Almost by the Lake” ]
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 (from 11:30 - 12:00 refreshments for the clean-up crew)
Wear: Long pants, walking shoes, gloves optional, if you have a "picker" stick you may bring this as well
We will provide: Orange Vests and Trash Sacks
Highway Section being picked up: HWY 2322 from the intersection of Bee Creek Road to Pace Bend Park ( 2 ½ miles)

Holly Carson will be present during the clean-up. Her cell phone number (923-2567). Parents are welcome to stay and participate in the clean-up if they so choose.

District Horse Show Information

2009-04-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

Members and Inactive:

If you want to compete in the 4-H District Horse Show, the attachments are important. It is not too late for those of you who did not join 4-H this year to join and still participate in Districts. (in-actives will also need to complete a membership application)

All forms need to be turned into Cory Talley on or before May 1^st (THIS FRIDAY). All event information and links are contained in the attachments.

Holly

From: Cory Talley [mailto:cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 11:59 AM
To: Carson, Holly; dandy8@austin.rr.com; Spence, Mickey; Swilling; Vasquez, meredith
Subject: Horse Show Information

If anyone will be competing in the District Horse Show, I need the Horse Validation Forms by May 1st. I have also attached the District 10 Horse Show Information.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Cory

Cory Talley

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Travis County
County Extension Agent (4-H)
1600 B Smith Road
Austin, TX 78721
512-854-9600
512-854-9611 - fax

http://travis4h.com

http://travis4h.blogspot.com

Our May 15th Speaker makes the Front Page!

2009-04-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

To Members of Horses Rock 4-H

Mr. Rupert Isaacson is our keynote speaker at our May 15^th awards and recognition dinner.

Check out the Front Page of the Austin American Statesman for a three page feature on Rupert Isaacson, Kristin Neff and their son, Rowan. Horses have so dramatically impacted their lives, and we are privileged that Mr. Isaacson will be sharing his story and showing his movie to us during our recognition dinner. We are so grateful that Mr. Isaacson has so graciously accepted our invitation to speak.

Rupert - Congratulations on the wonderful coverage of your book, your film and your son’s story.

If you don’t get the Sunday paper, you can preview some of the information on the following Statesman Web Sites:

Statemen Articles

http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/04/19/0419horseboy.html

New York Times:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/healing-autism-with-horses/

2nd Exciting April 13th 4-H Speaker

2009-04-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT TRAIL RIDING IN THIS AREA: In addition to Geri Bischoff, current Region 10 Director, Texas Equestrian Trail Ride Association (Tetra) Horses Rock 4-H will host a second speaker at our April 13^th meeting, Kelly Boesen, former regional director for TETRA, and avid driver/rider.

Mr. Boesen will be speaking at our April 13^th Monthly Membership meeting about Trail Riding in this area and Mr. Boesen will share his experience driving horses.

Horses Rock is thankful for Ms. Bischoff’s and Mr. Boesen’s generous donation of their time.

April Monthly Membership Meeting

This Monday April 13^th Meeting

7 PM – 8:15 PM

Old School House

In the Criminal Justice Complex

Village of Bee Cave

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=112664072648357511486.00044ac28e0cc635fcf1a&ie=UTF8&ll=30.308059,-97.944993&spn=0.004715,0.011158&t=h&z=17

Chisholm Trail 4-H Horse Club 2009 Open Horse Show Fundraiser

2009-04-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

Open Horse Show next Saturday

Reminder - Building Your 4-H Resume Workshop

2009-04-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

Monday, April 6, 2009 @ 6:30 at the Extension Office

This workshop will focus on giving 4-H'ers ideas on how to building their 4-H careers, where time lines for reaching certain levels in 4-H. This is being conducted to help those wanting to to work towards scholarships and producing great recordbooks.

Building Your 4-H Resume Workshop

Looking for ways to build your 4-H Resume? You know you need to be doing something, but not sure how or when to get there, then this workshop is for you! Learn how to make the most of your 4-H career to help benefit you in the long run; (i.e - scholarships, interviews, etc...). Open to 4-H youth and adults of all ages.

County Extension

1600 B Smith Road

Austin, TX 78721

512-854-9600

512-854-9611 - fax

Recognition Banquets - Horses Rock 4-H and Travis County 4-H

2009-03-03T20:32:00.000-08:00

Horses Rock is holding its end-of-year Overnight Retreat and Recognition Banquet May 15^th (two neat activities in one). Location: “Camp Carson” on Lake Travis. On this occasion, we want to recognize the hard work of our 4-H kids and hard-working parents and volunteers. Our featured speaker will be Rupert Isaacson, International Journalist, and star of the South by Southwest Film Documentary “The Horse Boy”. Following our banquet, Mr. Isaacson will host a private screening of his movie for our club “drive-in” style under the stars. Some background on our Key-note speaker:
When Rowan Isaacson was diagnosed with Autism in 2004 at two years old, his father, Rupert, found that two things helped his son start speaking more than all the other therapies put together: horses and being exposed to shamanistic ceremonies. By riding with Rowan in front of him in the saddle every day, Rupert found that Rowan began speaking through his relationship with their quarter horse Betsy. That same year, Rowan was exposed to a series of traditional shamanistic ceremonies because of the work his father does with indigenous people and land rights. Rowan’s autistic symptoms began to reverse. So, while Rowan was still small enough to sit in front of his father in the saddle, Rupert took him to the one place in the world where horses and shamanism form the center of the culture: Mongolia. The Isaacsons share their experiences through a documentary film that records their journey on horseback across Mongolia from healer to healer, shaman to shaman, from the vast Steppe up to Siberia and back down to the Gobi Desert. In addition, Rupert has written a book about the adventure. Both film and book include interviews with medical and behavioral experts (such as Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, Dr. Oliver Sacks, Dr. Temple Grandin), an exploration of a father’s attempts to get inside his son’s mind, an exploration of the relationship between humans and animals and between different human cultures. The Horse Boy donates 10% of all funds raised to ASGA. http://www.horseboymovie.com/index.html
From Rupert Isaacson's foundation web site: The Horse Boy Foundation runs a small learning and equestrian center – The New Trails Center – in Elgin, Texas, just outside of Austin. We bring special needs (mainly kids on the autism spectrum) children and ‘neuro-typical’ (ie ‘normal’) children together, using the horse as a social nexus. We have no specific program – each child is catered to according to their own needs. Our horses are highly adaptable. We believe strongly that special needs kids, and kids on the autism spectrum, can go way beyond mere equine therapy. We believe they can truly ride, and should have the opportunity to do so. Our mission is to bring horses and the children that need them together. Pure and simple. After the movie, the parents go home, and the “real fun” begins. Tent camping complete with bonfire, night-time “Capture the Flag” and more. We continue the fun the next day, May 16^th , with water fun in Lake Travis (kayaking, and tubing), officer elections, and still more fun and club-bonding activities!

Travis County 4-H is hosting an Achievement Banquet on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the Regents School of Austin Activity Center. Ways youth can receive awards:
1. Complete a Recordbook (Ms. French will be showing us more about this at an upcoming meeting)
2. Complete the project summary award form - great for those who focus on one project
3. Complete one of the following award forms - Rookie (first year members only), Honor Roll (ages 9-10), All Star (ages 11-13) and Letterman (ages 14 to 18) The forms are currently posted on the travis4h.com website.

4. Complete Bronze Star, Silver Star or Gold Star applications (these forms are not yet available and each award has a specific age requirement)

Please encourage your members to complete the award forms and attend the banquet.

Anyone (individual or company) wishing to sponsor an award please contact holly@horsesrock.org

National 4-H Congress

2009-02-26T05:10:00.000-08:00

This is one of the best leadership and learning opportunities offered in 4-H.

I am looking for a parent leader to help interested kids get involved.

Members: If you are going to be in high school next year, you should take a look at this opportunity.

From what I have heard, it is a wonderful experience.

National 4-H Congress

Below is some limited information about this opportunity. For those who may be interested, please talk with

Cory Talley Texas AgriLife Extension Service 512-854-9600 cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu

to obtain more details about the trip and the application and interview process.

National 4-H Congress is the flagship event of the National 4-H program. Each year a National Design Team of Extension educators, 4-H youth, and 4-H adult volunteers analyze current youth issues and determine the most effective ways to address them.The program combines a variety of fun and exciting educational, recreational and networking opportunities.
The program combines plenary sessions, seminars, discussion groups, and a service learning
experience. The nation’s most outstanding community leaders, speakers, and educators present the most current and timely information available.

Objectives:
To improve the ability of teen 4-H youth to express themselves in written and verbal forms of
communication that are necessary and important “life skills” for today and in the future.

To increase the awareness of the importance of Leadership, Citizenship, and Community Service
in 4-H Youth Development.

Who can apply?
Youth between the ages of 14 and 18 on September 1 of the year they are applying. Applicants
must have been born during the period beginning September 1, 1991 and ending August
31, 1995.

Youth must be enrolled in High School and not entered college full time at the time of event.
Youth must still be in high school during the time of the trip.

Wednesday Rides - Donation Horses - who gets to ride

2009-02-25T04:43:00.000-08:00

Wednesday Rides - Donation Horses - who gets to ride?

Donation Horses: Our Club owns two donation horses, Reebaugh and Max.

We need to start tracking is who is using the donation horses: With only two horses belonging to Horses Rock, we need to help Kathy Slack, our Ride night sponsor, determine who is going to ride our donation horses if more members show up at the Wednesday ride than we have "horse room". Kathy is wonderfully generous to allow some of the 4-H members to ride her personal horses. We must realize that the opportunity to ride her personal horses, if available, will go to members Kathy knows well and with whom Kathy has a relationship outside of 4-H (perhaps someone taking her classes). It is very generous of Kathy to make these horses available to some of the members thus freeing-up our donation horses for more of our our non-horse owners. We cannot and do not expect Kathy to make her personal horses available, but we are so grateful that she does so regularly. In response, and out of our gratitude, we have a responsibility to help Kathy resolve the dilemma of more kids needing a horse during the Wednesday ride than we have "saddle time" available.

Goals of the Donation Horse Program:

1. Riding our Donation Horses is a PRIVILEGE RESERVED for ACTIVE and CONTRIBUTING members of our Club.

2. Riding a Donation Horse is an experience designed to give ACTIVE Members who otherwise would not experience riding a horse, this opportunity.

Guidelines: Keeping the goals of the program in mind, guidelines for how to determine who is to get to ride was discussed at the November Membership meeting. The first decision was that members who OWN or LEASE a horse are not to ride the donation horses - even if their horse is not available for the Wednesday ride. Members with regular access to riding horses, through lessons, etc. should be cooperative in letting donation horses be ridden by ACTIVE members who do not normally get to ride.

Who gets priority?: If we need to get more detailed in the selection program, it may become necessary to sign up in advance and/or to come up with a reward system to give priority to those non-horse owner/leasing members who are most active in the club. NOTE: Joining the club does not automatically allow a child to come and ride if that child does not become an active and contributing member of the club. In any event, in order to get a better handle on the problem, if any, we need to start tracking who is using the Club horses on Wednesday evenings. This is a sensitive issue, and I welcome parent and adult leader input.

Use Sheets: Shannon Torres, our Donation Horse Manager, will be making a list of Members who use the donation horses each Wednesday. Lucy Ryan, the Signal Hill Leader will assist her as required. If they cannot be at the Wednesday ride, they will appoint a member to perform this function in their absence. I am sure we will all cooperate with Shannon and Lucy to help them exercise this leadership responsibility. They are doing a great job, and need our support. Shannon - please keep a copy of the list in your donation horse book and also forward a copy each week to me via email. Lucy and Shannon are both such bright and capable kids. We are lucky to have then help us manage our Club.

SUNDAY RIDES: Horses Rock, through the generosity of Donna DeGroot, offers Sunday Afternoon Rides at D Ranch on Hamilton Pool Road. Eric Carville, champion Reiner and experienced 4-H leader, conducts this ride much as Kathy does the ride on Wednesday Evenings. It is a real possibility that Horses Rock is receiving a donation trailer or access to the use of a trailer. Mr. Taute, should this trailer become available, may be available to trailer our donation horses back and forth from Kathy's on Sunday for use in this Sunday ride. More information on D ranch and the Sunday ride are available on our Web site: http://www.horsesrock.org/DRanch.html

Horses Helping Children

2009-02-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

Special Speaker comes to Horses Rock Monthly Membership Meeting

For our March 9^th membership meeting, Ms. Jennifer Young, with Children's Therapy Services, will speak to us about how Horses help special needs children. Horses Rock is invited to be part of this helpful use of horses through an upcoming community service project. Come to the meeting and hear more!

Hippotherapy is the use of horseback riding as a therapy tool. Horseback riding combined with physical therapy offers a dynamic and empowering opportunity for children who are in need of improving range of motion, strength, balance, coordination and gross motor skills. For more information on Hippotherapy, check out the following web sites:

http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/

http://www.americanequestrian.com/hippotherapy.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippotherapy

Horses Rock Monthly Membership Meeting

Held the second Monday of each month (next meeting March 9^th)

7:00 – 8:15 PM

The Village of Bee Cave

Old Schoolhouse Building

In the Criminal Justice Complex

13333A Hwy 71, Bee Cave

http://www.horsesrock.org/meetings.html for more information and maps

4-H Scavenger Hunt!

2009-02-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

Horses Rock Members:

We designed our WEB PAGE Scavenger Hunt to encourage our members to start to use our Horses Rock Web Site.

EMAIL your answers to the Web Page Scavenger Hunt AND WIN!!!

You can also bring your answers to the March Membership Meeting http://www.horsesrock.org/meetings.html

INSTRUCTIONS for the Scavenger Hunt are on the HOME page of www.horsesrock.org

Question	Web Page where the Scavenger Hunt Question is Found	Answer to Question
1
2
3
4
5
6

You qualify for a prize if you get all six answers correct and you get a BONUS prize if you also register on 4-H connect before the next March 9^th monthly membership meeting. Click the following to register on 4-H Connect: https://texas.4honline.com/Login.aspx?434850372944385D5E0F390D Call Hannah McVaney if you have any questions concerning registering on 4-H Connect 608-6839, 535-8550

PRIZES AWARDED at the next membership meeting, March 9^th at 7 PM – 8:15 PM

MEETING LOCATION: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=112664072648357511486.00044ac28e0cc635fcf1a&ie=UTF8&ll=30.308059,-97.944993&spn=0.004715,0.011158&t=h&z=17

Good luck and Happy Hunting.

Holly Carson

1500 Las Entradas Dr

Spicewood, TX 78669

(512)923-2567

Dewormer sale

2009-02-19T18:10:00.000-08:00

Horses Rock Horse Owners,
D Ranch, one of our generous 4-H sponsors, has a 6 tube wormer rotation pack (good for the year) available for $32.50 each – great prices. Contact Donna if you wish to order.

JDRacingTeam@aol.com

See more information on D Ranch at http://www.horsesrock.org/DRanch.html

Community Service Opportunity - Feb 28th

2009-02-19T16:55:00.000-08:00

Horses Rock 4-H “Don’t Mess withTexas” Clean-up February 28th

Please RSVP to Our Community Service Chairperson, Elena Enno, your 3^rd Vice-President at msbettyjane@yahoo.com or 922-5577

When: Saturday, February 28th, 2009
Where: 801 Pace Bend Rd, Spicewood (intersection of Bee Creek Road and Pace Bend Park Rd (HWY 2322))
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 (from 11:30 - 12:00 refreshments for the clean-up crew)
Wear: Long pants, walking shoes, gloves optional, if you have a "picker" stick you may bring this as well
We will provide: Orange Vests and Trash Sacks
Highway Section being picked up: HWY 2322 from the intersection of Bee Creek Road to Pace Bend Park ( 2 ½ miles)

This activity counts for Community Service Hours for both 4-H and Austin Public and Private Schools.

If your school requires a special form to validate your participation, please bring to the Clean-up.
Holly Carson

Club Manager, Horses Rock 4-H Club

4-H Scavenger Hunt!

2009-02-19T15:30:00.000-08:00

Surf the Horses Rock Web page and Win our 1st Scavenger Hunt!

To get started click on www.horsesrock.org

The instructions are on the HOME page.

Everyone who completes the scavenger hunt wins a prize.

Prizes awarded at the March 9^th Monthly Membership Meeting at the Old Schoolhouse.

Good luck and Happy Hunting.

Holly Carson

1500 Las Entradas Dr

Spicewood, TX 78669

(512)923-2567

Building your 4-H Resume

2009-02-19T04:09:00.000-08:00

Building Your 4-H Resume Workshop

Trails Clinic Weekend 2009

2009-02-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

Clinics:

Trail Riding 101 & Advanced Trail Riding - Natural Horsemanship Clinic- Desensitizing your Horse for the Trail - Breaking your Animal to Drive - Dutch Oven Cooking Demonstration - Equine Massage - Selecting the Right Horse - Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding - Safety Tips for the Trail - Solving Gaited Horse Issues - Trails Challenge Competition - Saddle Fitting, Equine Nutrition, Freeze Branding

Price: Weekend: $60/Person - TETRA Member (includes 6 meals and access to clinics); Under 12 Free. Extra fee for Equine Massage (appointment needed) $45. Weekend: $70/person - Non TETRA; Daily: $35/person - TETRA Member (includes 3 meals, and clinic access); Daily $40/person - Non-TETRA member

Electrical Hook-ups and stalls available – First come, first served – ($20/night electrical; $15/night stalls) Generator areas available and areas to set up your own pens.

Rooms Available: Weston Inn Suites, McGregor: $ 65/King; $75 Double Queen up to 4 in a room; Mention TETRA to get discount rate. Reserve by Mar 1. 711 W. McGregor Dr (Hwy 84); (254) 840-0444

For Information call Barbara McKnight, (254) 968-4357 or bmcknight3276@msn.com http://www.tetratrails.com

Directions: South edge of McGregor on State Hwy 317. Go west on Bluebonnet Pkwy, past school and 3-way intersection. To CTYRA arena. Watch for TETRA sign.

Trails Clinic Weekend 2009 Central Texas Youth Rodeo Assn. Arena McGregor Texas

March 27-28, 2009

Join the Fun and learn new ways to use your animals!

Featuring Drill Teams Performing: Texas Star Gaits - Waco & Texas Four Step - Mason

Parent Meeting - Sat Feb 7 4 PM

2009-01-31T10:23:00.000-08:00

To all our great Horses Rock Parents and Volunteers!

At our last membership meeting, it was decided to hold a Volunteers/Parent meeting.

Kathy Slack will be there to participate in the meeting. Out other outstanding Volunteers, Mr. Carville and Ms. Donna DeGroot are invited to attend as well.

Please mark your calendar.

Date: Saturday February 7

Time: 4:00 – 5:00

Location:

13333A HWY 71

Old School House

Criminal Justice Complex

Village of Bee Cave

MAP:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=112664072648357511486.00044ac28e0cc635fcf1a&ie=UTF8&ll=30.308059,-97.944993&spn=0.004715,0.011158&t=h&z=17

The goal of the parent meeting is to:

Review 4-H projects currently being implemented

Present Opportunities for Parent Volunteers

Discuss Ideas for Club Improvement

Implement Scholarship programs and Awards – discuss possible Booster Club

Discuss other items of interest – please submit your topic to info@horsesrock.org

THERE IS GOING TO BE AN HORSES ROCK OFFICER MEETING PRIOR TO THE PARENT MEETING

We will make every effort to make BOTH meetings productive and concise. Thank you for the support of these wonderful kids.

Holly Carson

Club Manager, Horses Rock 4-H Club

www.horsesrock.org

Feb 4th Education Program and Lucy Ryan - Signal Hill Reporter

2009-01-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

We are grateful to Kathy Slack for her continued support of Horses Rock 4-H Club and for the generous gift of her time each week. Kathy graciously hosts several 4-H activities at her riding facility, Signal Hill Ranch. As previously announced, starting this Wednesday, February 4^th, Kathy is sponsoring a Monthly Education Program at Signal Hill Ranch. Kathy will continue to offer an educational program the first Wednesday of each month. The remaining Wednesdays of the month, Kathy will continue to sponsor Ride Nights. The monthly education program and ride nights are open to all Horses Rock Members. Time: Wednesday Evenings from 5:30 – 6:30.

To provide clarification, the differences between the Signal Hill Monthly Education Program and the Monthly Horses Rock Membership Meeting are as follows:

Signal Hill Monthly Educational Program: The purpose of this Monthly Educational Program is to instruct the membership in a subject related to horses. The format can include, but is not limited to, special speakers, demonstrations, or presentations on a host of “horse related” topics. This is a wonderful addition to the opportunities offered to Horses Rock 4-H Members. Lucy Ryan, the elected Signal Hill Reporter, is responsible for sending emails out to the membership reporting upcoming Signal Hill activities. In addition, Lucy sends out Signal Hill cancellation notices. Kylie Husta, 1^st Vice-President, is in charge of posting Lucy’s information on the Club Web Calendar. Lucy also reports on the Signal Hill Barn Activity in a monthly presentation at the Monthly Membership Meeting. Following each Signal Hill activity, Lucy reports on the happenings on the Signal Hill Blog on the Horses Rock Web Page. Lucy also takes pictures at the Signal Hill events and forwards them electronically to Holly Carson, WebMaster, and El Runkle, Club Reporter. If Lucy is not available to attend Signal Hill functions, as the Signal Hill Leader, Lucy assigns the reporting function to another person who Lucy knows will be present at the Signal Hill event. Lucy will then follow-up with her designated replacement to make sure the reporting is done, and all other Signal Hill Reporter duties are completed. Lucy is also in charge of forwarding the contact information of each outside speaker or presenter to Helenna Snowden, Club Secretary, so that Helenna can send a Horses Rock thank you to every Signal Hill Ranch guest speaker. [Lucy – this contact information should include the Guest Speaker’s name, address, phone, email, title (if any), company(if any), and a one line summary of the presentation, IE – Horse Nutrition. Thank you Lucy for your work!]

Monthly Membership Meetings: As per our 4-H Charter, and Horses Rock By-Laws, all club business is transacted at the monthly Membership Meetings held at the Bee Cave Schoolhouse. All election of officers, all voting, all Club decisions, all budget approvals, all financial reporting, all committee reporting, club announcements, all business discussions, club activity decisions, and the adoption of the Club calendar, are conducted at the Monthly Membership Meetings. These meeting are held the second Monday of each month at the Schoolhouse in Bee Cave or at the Officers Meeting. Typically these meetings include a short program (usually put on by a club member) and other fun activities. Every Horses Rock 4-H Member is encouraged to attend and participate in the Monthly Membership meetings held the second Monday of each Month at the Schoolhouse in the Criminal Justice Complex in the Village of Bee Cave. These Monthly Membership Meetings offer 4-H members the opportunity to direct the activities of the club and to develop leadership skills. Members who actively participate in membership meetings, participate in community service activities, or contribute to committee activities and/or hold officer positions are eligible for recognition, awards, and scholarships at the Horses Rock End of Year Banquet and Awards Ceremony – the first of which will be held this year on May 16th.

Coming Soon – Lucy Ryan’s email letting us know what we can look forward to at the February 4^th Education Program at Signal Hill Ranch! Thank you LUCY!

(Note to Lucy – any handouts given at Signal Hill Education Presentations can be scanned into a PDF file and posted on the Signal Hill Blog. If your dad can help you create this PDF file, great, otherwise, please bring the hand-outs to the Monthly Membership Meetings and I will do this for you. Call me and we can discuss)

Feb 21st Horses Rock Trash Pick-up

2009-01-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

When: Saturday, February 21, 2009
Start and End Point: Lee’s Almost by the Lake Restaurant, 801 Pace Bend Rd, Spicewood (intersection of Bee Creek Road and Pace Bend Park Rd (HWY 2322))
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 (from 11:30 - 12:00 refreshments for the clean-up crew)
Wear: Long pants, walking shoes, gloves optional, if you have a "picker" stick you may bring this as well
We will provide: Orange Vests and Trash Sacks
Highway Section being picked up: HWY 2322 from the intersection of Bee Creek Road to Pace Bend Park ( 2 ½ miles)

Horses Rock 4-H is proud to have “adopted” this 2.5 mile section of HWY 2322, Pace Bend Park, and as such participates in Trash Pick-ups of this section of highway six times a year. This highway leads to Pace Bend Park, which is one of the few area parks that allows horses. We have a date for the next clean-up on Pace Bend Park.

Parents welcome to participate in the clean-up. Please RSVP with your child so that we have an accurate adult count.

Please RSVP your participation to our Chairman of Community Service, Elena Enno at msbettyjane@yahoo.com

About the program: Behind every Don't Mess with Texas billboard, radio and television ad are real Texans, just like you. And like you, the Texas Department of Transportation is very protective of the 261,797 square miles we all call home. That's why we've spent more than 20 years educating Texans about the high cost of litter and promoting litter prevention through the Don't Mess with Texas campaign. Sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Don't Mess with Texas is on a mission to keep litter off Texas roads. In true Texan fashion, we strive to reach our goal with a big heart and a lot of gumption. In addition to our award-winning ads, we are proud to collaborate with our sister program, Adopt-a-Highway, and have a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, with whom we organize our annual Trash-Off-the state's single largest one-day cleanup event. But it doesn't stop there. Graduating high-school seniors can earn college money through our scholarship program; businesses and organizations can reach a powerful audience segment while helping the environment by partnering with us; colleges and universities can promote their school spirit with a Campus Cleanup event; and communities across the state can have fun learning about litter through our summer Road Tour outreach program. As you can see, we go to great lengths to keep Texas litter-free. And it's working. With help from our fellow Texans, including a few household names (Willie, Lance or Matthew ring a bell?), we've seen roadside litter drop by about a third since 2001. But with one out of every two of us still tossing trash, there's a lot more to do. And you can bet Don't Mess with Texas will be there, litterbags and all.

4-H Play Day

2008-11-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

4-H Play Day this Saturday

Saturday, Nov. 22

Hays County Civic Center, San Marcos

Fundraiser for the Dripping Springs 4H horse project

Open show and both 4H members, youth and adults are welcome!!!

Attached is an entry form

Awarding buckles for highpoint in several divisions

Events:

In-hand
Performance,
Speed (sign up at 1 pm starts at 2 pm)
Exhibition
Trail and
Hunter
2' warm-up jumping.

Age Groups:

Walk/trot
junior (13 & under);
senior (14-19);
And 20 & over.

Questions:

Donna Moore

Dripping Springs 4H Horse Project

donna@texasdata.net

512-786-8342

Aggiefest Registration

2008-11-10T20:25:00.000-08:00

Cory Talley

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Travis County

County Extension Agent (4-H)

1600 B Smith Road

Austin, TX 78721

512-854-9600

512-854-9611 - fax

Re: Horses Rock Horse Judging Team: Aggiefest Registration

Cory: Please register the following Horses Rock 4-H participants for the November 15, 2008 Aggiefest Horse Judging Workshop:

1. Kaitlyn Shaheen

2. Kaitlin Petras

3. Elena Enno

4. Kylie Husta

I am sending in early registration payment of $40 ($10 for each participant) to:

Clay Ewell

P.O. Box 3791

College Station, TX 77844-3791

My understanding is that if payment is received by Dr. Ewell before the Saturday workshop, we qualify for the $10/person registration rate. On-site registration is $15.

Note to Horses Rock participants: The Workshop Starts at 9 AM. Since Horses Rock is initially paying the registration, you can pay me your individual fee on Saturday and I will return the funds to the club. There are 220 other 4-H and FFA participants attending from around the State, so it should be a really neat workshop.

Pick-up times for those traveling in my car:

· 5:30 Leave Las Entradas (Kaitlyn Shaheen)

· 6:00 Pick up in the Homestead (Kylie Husta and Sherry)

· 6:30 Pick up at the old Albertson’s parking Lot in Oak Hill (Elena Enno and Betty Jane)

· Due to the time-sensitive time-frame, we cannot wait for anyone who is not ready at the designated place and time.

November 15, 2008

9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Freeman Arena

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX

The Horse Judging Workshop is intended to give youth an opportunity to practice judging horses in a low stress environment. The workshop will include a basic idea of what to look for when judging individual performance classes and halter. English and western classes and an optional halter class will be provided for youth to judge. Placings, cuts and critiques will be discussed following each class. *When: November 15, 2008 *Starts at 9:00 a.m.

Do you have any questions about the Workshop???: Please contact Dr. Pete Gibbs or Teri Antilley at (979-845-1562)

Thank you,

Holly Carson

Club Manager, Horses Rock 4-H Club

TRAVIS COUNTY

1500 Las Entradas Drive

Spicewood, TX 78669

Community Service - Gift Boxes

2008-11-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

This is a 4-H project that serves underprivileged children around the world by providing gifts for them at Christmas. For this project, each 4-H member is asked to bring a shoe boxes filled with gifts for one underprivileged child. To participate, please take a shoebox and decorate the bottom and top in Christmas Paper. Decide on an age and sex to buy for, (eg: we bought for a 5 yr old girl). Buy gifts and fill the box. Include money on the top for shipping overseas in the amount of $7. Please wrap a ribbon on the outside that can be untied and retied easily. DO NOT SEAL THE BOX. The boxes will be collected at the General 4-H Membership Meeting, Monday November 10th. Elena Enno, Chairman Community Service

November 16th Community service trash pick-up

2008-11-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

Horses Rock is conducting a Trash Pick-up on Sunday afternoon, November 16^th

Please RSVP to msbettyjane@yahoo.com vial email by 11/12/08

TRASH PICK UP

When: Sunday, November 16, 2008

Where: Start at 801 Pace Bend Rd , Spicewood (intersection of Bee Creek Road and Pace Bend Park Rd (HWY 2322)) There is a restaurant at this location, “Lee’s Almost By the Lake”. We will start from this parking lot.

Time: 2:00 - 3:30 (from 3:30 - 4:00 free soft drinks at Lee’s by the Lake for the clean-up crew)

From 4:00 – 6:00 Horses Rock Members are invited to take a dip in Holly Carson’s hot tub and eat pizza and enjoy the good feelings that come from a job well done.

Wear: Long pants, walking shoes, gloves optional, if you have a "picker" stick you may bring this as well. If staying for the “hot tub”, please bring a swim suit and towel.

Horses Rock will provide: Orange Vests and Trash Sacks

Highway Section being picked up: HWY 2322 from the intersection of Bee Creek Road to Pace Bend Park ( 2 ½ miles)

About the Adopt a Highway Program:

Horses Rock adopted the 2 ½ miles of HWY 2322 starting at the entrance to Pace Bend Park – which is one of the few parks in the Austin area that allows Horse Trail Riding.

It all started in the Lone Star State .
“Did you know the first highway ever adopted was right here in Texas ?”

One day back in 1984, James R. “Bobby” Evans, an engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Tyler District , was driving through Tyler when he observed debris blowing out of the bed of the pickup truck he was following.

Alarmed by the incident and concerned that the cost of picking up litter was increasing at an annual rate of 15 to 20 percent, Evans began appealing to local groups to “adopt” a section of highway. His initial challenge went unanswered.

Champion for the cause
It wasn't long before Billy Black, Public Information Officer for TxDOT's Tyler District , became involved in developing the Adopt-a-Highway program. Black was responsible not only for creating a quarterly cleanup cycle for adopting organizations, but also for implementing the initial concept, which included furnishing volunteer safety training, reflective vests and equipment — and for erecting the well-known Adopt-a-Highway roadside signs that recognize adopters.

The Tyler Civitan Club soon became the first group to volunteer, adopting a two-mile stretch of Highway 69.

The word spreads.
The rest, as they say, is history. Within months, more than 50 groups in the region — garden clubs and scouting groups among them — had joined the program, which would blanket Texas and quickly spread nationwide.

Signs recognizing the Tyler Civitans' section of roadway (“First Adopt-a-Highway in the Nation”) were erected on March 9, 1985 — a day that has subsequently been named International Adopt-a-Highway Day.

Going global
Demonstrating the value of a successful public-private partnership, today Adopt-a-Highway is a grassroots movement involving nearly 90,000 groups in 49 states, Puerto Rico , Canada , New Zealand , Australia and Japan.

Meeting

2008-09-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Every Monday Horses Rock hosts a ride at D Ranch 1 ½ mile West of HWY 12 on Hamilton Pool Road

Horsesrock 4-H Monthly Membership Meeting

2008-09-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

Mark Your Calendar for This MONDAY

General Membership Meeting

Monday, September 15^th

· 6:30 – 7:00 (special interest education meetings)

o Junior Master Horseman Education Program Level One (for our Young Members 10 and under)

o Veterinary Science Project – actually leads to a vet tech certification – Members and Parents interested in this project, please plan to attend. To see more about this program check on the following Web Links. We will need a parent volunteer willing to be the Team Leader for this project. To learn more about what is the 4-H Veterinary Science Project see: http://aevm.tamu.edu/page.asp?o=vm&s=vm&p=240450

· 7:00 – 8:00 PM ALL MEMBERS General Membership Meeting (early dismissal OK for young members)

o Discussion of the upcoming year calendar

o Nomination of Officers

· 8:00 – 8:30 (team meetings)

o Horse Judging Team Meeting – formation meeting for those interested. To see examples of what horse judging is all about see: http://animalscience.tamu.edu/main/academics/equine/archives.html http://animalscience.tamu.edu/main/conference/aggiefest-horse.html

West Rural Community Center

8656 TX-71 W

Austin, TX 78735

1^st Floor Activity Room – enter on north side

Ride Night Reminders:

Monday Drill Team Practice

The 1^st, 3^rd, and 4^th Monday of each Month (and 5^th if one exists)

7:00 – 8:30 PM

20301 Hamilton Pool Rd

Wednesdays

5:30 – 6:30 each Wednesday at

Signal Hill Ranch

1 ½ mile south on Nutty Brown Rd From Hwy 290

4-H Reminder tonight's Monthly Membership Meeting

2008-06-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

4-H Monthly Meeting tonight

This will be the last monthly meeting before we resume our monthly meetings in August.

We will be discussing a summer outing to Schlitterbahn, planning for the 2008/2009 year, officer positions, a Booster Support and more. Please plan to join us.

New Members Welcome. http://www.horsesrock.org/

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Horses Rock holds its monthly Membership Meetings the second Monday of each month.

7:00 PM to 8:15 PM

West Rural Community Center

8656 Tx-71 W, Austin, TX 78735

1st Floor Activity Room

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM

Enter on the North Side of Building

4-H days at Schlitterbahn

2008-06-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

4-H days at Schlitterbahn

Group discounts given certain days to 4-H youth. Tickets will have to be ordered from the Schlitterbahn website.
Check out the Schlitterbahn website @ http://schlitterbahn.com/youth

Horses Rock 4-H Members invited to attend AAEP Workshop

2008-05-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

Horses Rock 4-H Club is pleased to offer its membership a $20 discount to attend the 2008 AAEP Healthy Horses Workshop featuring Monty Roberts Saturday, July 26th 8:30 am - 5:00 pm at the Hilton Austin Hotel Meeting Room 406. To Register, RSVP send your $50 (includes lunch) to Horses Rock 4-H 1500 Las Entradas Dr Spicewood, TX 78669 (normal registration cost is $70). We will register our club as a group to get the discount. Kaitlyn and I attended the 2006 Workshop in San Antonio and it was fantastic.

WORKSHOP AGENDA: Equine veterinarians have a unique perspective on the concerns of their clients and the people responsible for the well being of their horses. In an effort to encourage regular health maintenance and preventive medicine programs, the AAEP is actively involved in public education programs regarding prevention and treatment of injury and disease.

The AAEP is proud to present the Healthy Horses Workshop, an educational day designed just for horse owners. This full-day event will feature seminars of practical, cutting-edge information led by AAEP-member veterinarians.

The morning will also offer the opportunity to listen to world-renowned “The Man Who Listens to Horses,” Monty Roberts, as he speaks about his past experiences and horsemanship skills “From My Hands to Yours.”

Scheduled topics include:

The Unwanted Horse in the U.S.: Tom Lenz, DVM, MS
Strategies for Equine Strangles: Management & Prevention: Amanda House, DVM, DACVIM
Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia in Foals: An Update on Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention: Robert Franklin, DVM, DACIM
Crooked Legs, Belly Buttons and Common Surgical Issues: Justin Harper, DVM
Being Around Horses: Monty Roberts
Known as, “The Man Who Listens to Horses ,” Monty gained international fame by developing a method of communicating with horses using their natural body language and a technique he calls Join-Up®. Founded on a consistent set of principles, communication, and trust, Monty’s methods assert that violence is never the answer . While tracking wild mustangs in Nevada as a boy, Monty observed a nonverbal communication between the horses, a silent language he would later call "Equus." Monty incorporates "Equus" into his nonviolent training approach called Join-Up®. Monty first developed Join-Up® to stop the cycle of violence typically accepted in traditional horse breaking. Convinced there must be a more effective and gentle method, Monty created these consistent set of principles using the horse’s inherent methods of communication and herd behavior. The result is a willing partnership in which the horse’s performance can flourish to its full potential, rather than exist within the boundaries of obedience. These principles are valuable tools to understanding what motivates horse behavior and increasing effectiveness in any application. Join-Up training methods are most simply expressed in the process of starting raw horses. Without the use of pain or force the trainer persuades a raw horse to accept a saddle, bridle and rider. Working in a round pen, one begins Join-Up® by making large movements and noise as a predator would and begins driving the horse to run away. She then gives the horse the option to flee or Join-Up®. Through body language, the trainer will ask, "Will you pay me the respect due to a herd leader and join and follow me?" The horse will respond with predictable herd behavior: by locking an ear on her, then by licking and chewing and dropping his head in a display of trust. The exchange concludes with the trainer adopting passive body language, turning her back on the horse and without eye contact, invites him to come close. Join-Up occurs when the animal willingly chooses to be with the human and walks toward her accepting her leadership and protection. This process of communication through behavior and body language and mutual concern and respect, can be a valuable tool to strengthen all other work with horses. Experienced horse people, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, have called Monty's method incredible. Two-time, World’s Greatest Horseman winner, Ron Ralls uses Monty’s methods in the foundation for his training work as well. Traditional methods aim to teach the horse to ‘DO AS I SAY’ and involve the use of pain and intimidation, but Monty focuses on communion with the horse, rather than domination. "For centuries, humans have said to horses, 'You do what I tell you or I'll hurt you,' I'm saying that no one has the right to say, 'you must' to an animal or to another human,” Monty said. Join-Up methods rely on horse and trainer establishing a bond of communication and trust. "You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn." Monty says, "We hear that 'actions speak louder than words,' but generally we do not live by it too successfully.” The principles found in Join-Up offer valuable tools for all other work. Riders, trainers, veterinarians, vet techs, farriers, barn managers – virtually anyone handling horses – can use these methods to increase their effectiveness in helping horses fulfill their potential.

June 4-H Horsemanship School - Austin Area

2008-05-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

Horses Rock 4-H in Travis County is pleased to announce

our two day Horsemanship School

to be held in the Austin Area.

June 20th & 21st, 2008

http://www.horsesrock.org/

Open to all Youth (4-H and non) ages 9 -18 (and adult Riders if space allows)

Location at the DeGroot Arena

20301 Hamilton Pool Road

Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Cost: $65.00 per rider to include lunch & snacks for both days

Arrive no later than 9:00 am each day Class Ends at 5:00 pm

To Reserve a Horse Stall overnight Call Donna at 512-289-1510 or email jdracingteam@aol.com (limited number of stalls available)

Instruction is “hands-on” where 4-Hers and non 4-Hers bring their horses and participate in lengthy riding sessions that follow short demonstrations.

Instructors are Texas A&M Equine Students selected by the Texas Cooperative Extension Office for their skill in teaching basic horsemanship to youth.

Participants will improve their riding abilities and horsemanship knowledge regardless of their level of experience. The participants gain useful skills while having fun! Limited to First 25 Riders

Mail attached form and $65 payable to:

Horses Rock 4-H Club

1500 Las Entradas Dr

Spicewood, TX 78669

Come join the fun!

Holly Carson

Club Manager

Horses Rock 4-H Club

(512)923-2567

May 12th - Monthly Meeting Reminder

2008-05-10T05:30:00.000-07:00

Meeting this Monday evening, May 12^th.

New Members Welcome. www.horsesrock.org

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Horses Rock holds its monthly Membership Meetings the second Monday of each month.

7:00 PM to 8:15 PM

West Rural Community Center

8656 Tx-71 W, Austin, TX 78735

1st Floor Activity Room

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM

Enter on the North Side of Building

Note to Drill Team. We will not be practicing this Monday due to a conflict with the Monthly Membership meeting. I am sorry for missing this conflict when scheduling the Drill Team Practice.

Holly Carson

Club Manager, Horses Rock 4-H

Play Day Parent volunteer Meeting this Wednesday

2008-04-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

Our Play Day is less than one week away and your club needs your help.

Please plan to attend the Play Day Parent Volunteer Meeting this Wednesday at Signal Hill at 5:45 PM.

If you are unable to attend, please call Holly at 923-2567 to discuss what you are able to contribute to this Saturday’s Play Day at Signal Hill. Ideally, I’d like one parent volunteer to manage each of the four areas of need and to have one helper for each area.

Thank you in advance for volunteering.

Opportunities to volunteer are as follows:

1. Concessions (two adults) Need Lead, need Helper

· Set up for the concessions and bake sale (before 8 am)

· Solicit bake sales items

· Buy the food and beverages and ice etc (we have a $50 gift card from HEB)

· Prepare the food

· Sell the food and collect money

· Collect any money from the tack swap

2. Registration Table (2 adults) Holly Carson-Lead, need Helper

Set up the registration area (before 8 am)
These people will sign up the participants
Collect money
Assign participant numbers
Create the class cards for the judges
Create the exhibition cards for each class
Record the place results for each event
Track High Point

3. Class Event Coordination (2 Adults) Need Lead, Sweeney Family Helper

Set up the Awards area (with the boxes of ribbons, etc)

Collect Class Sheet for each event from Registration Table
Collect the Exhibition Sheets from the Registration Table
Hand Class Sheets to Judges
Hand the Exhibition Sheets to the Judges
Collect completed Class Sheets from Judges
Hand out awards as participants exist the arena
Deliver Award Sheets to Registration Table for the recording of place finishes for High Point

4. General Helpers (one or more adults) Need helpers Shift 1: 8am–10 am, Shift 2: 10am–noon, Shift 3: noon–2pm, Shift 4: 2pm–4 PM

Set up the Tack Swap (if anyone brings in items)
Decorate with the 4-H banners
Rope off restricted areas
Police the bathroom during the day
Help where needed (1-3 above)

Our thanks to Kathy and Eddie, for not only providing the area, but for all their work coordinating the following:

Getting the Arena Ready

Setting up each class event

Getting Judges for each performance and Timed event

Setting up the sound system

Providing Trailer Parking

Announcing

Please be sure to make it a point to thank Eddie and Kathy at our Play Day. We could not have this event but for their generous support.

2008 4-H Congress

2008-04-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

Attention 4-H Members aged 15 as of July 13th
Texas 4-H Congress is a four-day mock legislative experience for 4-H members ages 15 (at the time of the event) to 18. During this time, the 4-H members assume the roles of senators, representatives, lobbyists, press corp, and special interest groups to gain a first-hand understanding of how the legislative process works. Bills that are written and sponsored by 4-H members focus on issues concerning Texas and Texas youth. These bills are assigned to the appropriate committee and then debated in committee meetings and then on the floor of the House or Senate. If a bill is successful in negotiation and the legislative debate in all three stages, it is delivered to the Governor of the Texas 4-H Congress for his or her signature or veto. Copies of all the bills that are signed into law during Texas 4-H Congress are provided to the Office of Governor Rick Perry for his review.

Texas 4-H Congress will be held in Austin, Texas July 13-16, 2008. The host hotel for the event will be the Sheraton Hotel near the Texas Capital. Youth will actually be allowed to participate in committee meetings in the same rooms where our state legislators do and debate bills on the floor of the House and Senate Chambers. Each person attending Texas 4-H Congress will be required to write and submit a bill when they register on 4-H Connect.

Youth who have attended Congress in 2004 or 2006 are encouraged to apply for a position as a lobbyist or press corp member. Applications will be submitted on 4-H Connect April 1-May 7, 2008. Youth involved with the Texas 4-H Technology team will also have an opportunity apply to be one of four Tech Team members selected to cover the event. Youth not selected for one of these positions may still attend Congress as a member of the House or Senate.

Thanks to the assistance of more than $85,000.00 from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the R.S.M.I.S. Foundation, Ed Rachel Foundation, and Blue Bell Creameries, the cost of Texas 4-H Congress will only be $200 per person. Without these gracious donors, the registration cost would exceed $450.00 per person.

If you are interested in attending Texas 4-H Congress, please contact Cory at the Travis County Extension Office. Applicaitons are available on the Travis 4-H webiste at http://www.travis4h.com/

If selected to attend, your cost will be $100.00, as Travis 4-H pays 50% of the registration fee for its member selected. Please note that you must pay the $200.00 in advance and once you return from the trip, you will be reimbursed $100.00.

Press Corp: The Texas 4-H Congress Press Corp play an extremely important part in the success of the event. Press Corp members can be either first time or returning 4-H members to 4-H Congress. Individuals applying for Press Corp should have strong skills in writing, word processing, interviewing, web page design, photography, and focused on making deadlines. The press corp is responsible for the publishing of a daily newspaper and maintaining a web page. Press Corp members should be aware that sometimes they may not be able to attend certain events because of print deadlines. Two Texas 4-H Council members and up to 15 4-H members from across the State will serve on the 2008 Texas 4-H Congress Press Corp. Applications for the Texas 4-H Press Corp will be submitted through the 4-H CONNECT registration program. Application process begin April 1, 2008 and ends May 7, 2008. If you have applied for a press corp positioin, you will still need to complete the Travis County 4-H Delegate Application in case you are not selected as a press corp member.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Travis County Extension office, Cory Talley cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu

Retreat Agenda

2008-04-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

We have a lot of fun planned for our Retreat Tomorrow!

4:30 – 6:30 Arrival: Check in at the main office We are staying in the Lloyd Dorm see map http://www.horsesrock.org/MapofCampus__3_.pdf

Drop off your Student Release forms if you have not given them to me. http://www.horsesrock.org/Student_Medical_Release_Form.PDF

Please also bring your payment if I do not have it already. Thanks

6:30 Dinner Menu: Baked Chicken and Full Salad Bar and Rice

7:00 – 8:00 Activities for fun and getting to know each other better

8:00 Bonfire and S’Mores (bring a skewer if you have one)

10:00 Night Hike

Until Bed – activities in the cabin

8:30 Breakfast Menu: Pancakes, biscuits and gravy

9:00 – 10:30 State-Wide Trash-Off (bring your community service forms if you need to get credit for your school)

11:00 – 12:00 PADDLE BOATS in Lake Travis – FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12:30 Lunch Menu: Bar-B-Que and Full Salad Bar

After Lunch Options:

Horseshoes

Volleyball

Outdoor Ping Pong

Outdoor Basketball

Frisbee Golf (if you have a Frisbee – please bring it)

Hiking

Please call my cell 923-2567 when you plan to pick up your child.

Directions: http://www.horsesrock.org/NEWMaptocamp__3_.pdf

Web Site for Camp: http://www.highlandlakescamp.org/222201.ihtml

See you THERE!!

LoneStar Outreach to Place X-Racers - Horse Show Fundraiser

2008-04-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

Announcing: The second annual benefit horse show for LOPE (LoneStar Outreach to Place eX-Racers)

The show is May 31 at Diamond F Arena in Sequin, TX. It is a fun show for all levels of riders - a great event for families especially. There are many types of classes for English and Western riders of all levels. Last year over 100 horses participated in the show, and $5000 was raised in support of LOPE. This year promises to be even more exciting!

http://www.lopetx.org/2008-benefit-show/

The show will also include a Silent Auction fundraiser for LOPE. There have already been many great items donated including saddles, custom equine portrait art, stallion seasons and much more.