Back row, left to right: Otis Jones, Jackson EMC Board Chairman; Lynn Price, Board Member; Randy Dellinger, Gwinnett District Manager; Pam Bloch, 4-H Agent; Suzanne Hinton, 4-H Volunteer-Team Coach and Janice Rogers, 4-H Program Assistant. Front row, from left: Dacula High School students and 4-H Horse Club team members Caroline Hinton, Mary Cate Marchert, Mallory Huff and Nathaniel Hinton
Long a supporter of the Georgia 4-H Council, Jackson EMC is sponsoring the 2013 Gwinnett County 4-H High Hat Horse Club team at national competitions in Oklahoma City in August, Columbus, OH in October and Louisville, KY in November.
Dacula High School students and senior team members Nathaniel Hinton, Caroline Hinton, Mary Cate Marchert and Mallory Huff have been involved since the 5th grade and have often competed together. Earlier this year, they won 1st Place in state horse judging and state hippology (horse studies) competitions, and placed second in the horse knowledge bowl, paving the way for the national competition.
“Both teams winning both categories is very rare in 4-H,” said Janice Rogers, Gwinnett County 4-H representative who oversees the horse program. “Local winners are named Master 4-H’ers and compete in the national competition. The out-of-town competitions wouldn’t be possible without local assistance.”
Gwinnett County District Manager Randy Dellinger said, “Like Georgia 4-H, Jackson EMC is a partner in education, with a long history of supporting youth activities in the communities we serve, particularly in 4-H programs. Not only will these students represent the county nationally, the trip will be an extraordinary experience for them and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
“Much like the four leaf clover that signifies good luck, we wish the teams the best of luck and success on their achievements,” concluded Dellinger. For more information, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/gwinnett/4h/.