SARATOGA - Members of the New York State 4-H Advanced Equine Program enjoyed an immersive industry experience in Saratoga County. The NYS 4-H Advanced Equine Program was developed last year to help bridge the divide between young adults interested in horses and equine industry professionals. New York serves as a nationwide hub for the horse community and of course as a home for the historic Saratoga Race Course. The NYS 4-H Horse Program encourages both understanding and knowledge of the equine industry, as well as leadership and personal development through once-in-a-lifetime experiences. NYS 4-H intends to grow the Advanced Equine Program to best serve youth and the equine community around New York and prepare them for potential careers working with horses.
From August 10 to 12, the members of the Advanced Equine Program engaged with equine professionals in Saratoga County. Participants practiced with a polo mallet at Bloomfield Farm Polo and toured the Equine Clinic of Saratoga, an emergency equine vet clinic. The ambassadors also visited Sugar Plum Farm, a thoroughbred breeding farm, and explored the Fasig Tipton auction facility. They caught a glimpse of the Budweiser Clydesdales and watched a demonstration by professional horse trainer Molly Alger.
To conclude their visit to Saratoga, members joined the Amplify Horse Racing tours. Amplify Horse Racing, out of Kentucky, offers the most insightful, thorough, and authentic tours of both the back stretch and the racing side. Trainers, such as Bob Atras, opened their barns to discuss the racing industry, while turf management pros discussed unique career opportunities offered by the equine industry. A visit to the silk room and owners paddock gave youth an experience they will never forget. Additionally, the National Racing Museum opened their doors for participants to eat lunch and enjoy a film highlighting the magic and beauty horses offer to people’s lives.
To find out more about NYS 4-H and the unique, hands-on-learning atmospheres they provide to the youth, visit: nys4-h.org for more.
