Submitted by Pat Banker, Franklin County 4H Program Assistant

It may not have been the actual Triple Crown but there was just as much excitement at the Franklin County Fairgrounds recently when the first ever Franklin County 4H Training Race was held. The crowd of 4H youth and their families from Franklin and Clinton County 4H Horse programs anxiously shouted, "And they're off" as 3 locally bred and trained Standardbred race horses trotted across the starting line. Taking an early lead was Barb Hudson driving 3 year old trotting gelding, Johnathan's Victory. Driver Ray Gagnon maintained a close second with 2 year old trotting filly DWS Roxy. Kim Lapage held 3rd position driving 2 year old trotting filly Darkside Abbey. Karen Smith-Ashley, from Smith Racing Stable, did a fantastic job of setting up this opportunity for 4H youth and their families to have the experience of an up close look at the world of horse racing. After 2 exciting races, 4H youth were chosen to receive the honor of entering the winner's circle with the drivers and presenting the winning horses with bright blue horse blankets. Drivers returned from the paddock area to a crowd of 4H'ers waiting in line to talk to them and to get an autograph. Although there were winning horses and drivers, the real winners were the 4H youth who were granted this wonderful experience.

The races were held during Franklin County 4H Horse Camp which is a 3-day program open to 4H horse program youth from Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties who are age 5-19 and their families. Over 180 4H'ers and their family members spent Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon at the fairgrounds. Youth received instruction in English and western riding, horse health care, horse anatomy, showmanship, jumping and trail obstacles. Instructors included: Jeff Steer, RIT Equestrian Team Coach, Debbie Healy, jumping coach, Michaela Quinn, recent Morrisville Equine program graduate, Dr. Dorothee Gilmore, DVM, Rivendale Equine, Tiffany Buschbascher, Sand Hill Stables, Kelsey O'Shea, riding instructor, and volunteer instructors Sara and Jessica Flint, showmanship and beginner youth horsemanship, Sandy Warner, trail instructor, Dylan Sutphen, riding and patterns, and Donna Hastings, showmanship instructor.

4H Horse Camp was made possible with the support of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County 4H, The New York Agriclulture and Horse Breeders Development Fund, Tarbell Management Group, local businesses, and a host of volunteer 4H leaders and families.

4H youth present winning cooler to Ray Gagnon.

Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension, 518-483-7403 for information about how to become involved with 4H youth programs.