Fifty enthusiastic Missouri 4-H teens embarked upon the thirteenth annual University of Missouri 4-H Equine Career and Horse Industry Tour in late May, 2019 traveling to destinations in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Canada, Michigan and Ohio.

The quote from Mary Webb, “Saddle your dreams before you ride them” sums up the focus of this great opportunity for youth who hope to couple their equine passion with a career.

The tour gained insight into the equine collegiate programs at the University of Missouri, Michigan State University, University of Guelph, Ontario, and University of Findlay, Ohio. Equine careers explored on the tour included the rodeo industry, equine assisted therapy, professional horse show management, farm and barn management, equine dentistry, and equine welfare advocacy.

Participants had a firsthand opportunity to appreciate the rare breeds of Lipizzans and Haflingers and learn the breed’s survival through WWII. Missouri 4-H enjoyed an evening meeting with Ontario 4-H youth and families learning about 4-H programs in Canada. Traveling by ferry to the renowned non-motorized Mackinaw Island was a true highlight for participants who enjoyed sightseeing in horse drawn carriages and bicycling around the island. Equine professionals in the upper Midwest area echoed the advice to follow your dreams with an education coupled with a strong work ethic, solid business skills and tremendous people skills. 

Over the past thirteen years, this Missouri 4-H Equine Career Tour has helped over 600 young people make informed, educational decisions about their future with horses, which continues to be the goal for tour participants each year.

The tour destination for 2019 will have an intense focus on the thoroughbred and racing industry in the heart of Kentucky.

 Attending this year’s Equine tour from Southeast Missouri was Kristi Baker, Stoddard County 4-H Youth Development Specialist and 4-H member Amber Whaley. Amber was awarded the Stoddard County 4-H “Horse Camp” scholarship to attend the tour. The Youth “Horse Camp” is a traveling program developed by Kristi Baker for 4-H Youth Programing in Southeast Missouri that teaches basic horsemanship and safety. 4-H “Horse Camp” can be scheduled for any county in Southeast Missouri.

For more information about University of Missouri 4-H and the 4-H Equine tour, contact your local MU Extension office at 573-568-3344 or visit: 4h.missouri.edu

Pictured from left to right:  Kristi Baker-Stoddard County 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Stacy Westfall-World Champion Reining Horse Trainer, & Amber Whaley-4-H member.