10
community
august6
2015
4-H Teaches Confidence, Service and More
By Jeana Gump
Once a year in counties all
over the State of Oregon, people come
together at local fairs to share the
successes and results of the hard work
they’ve completed during the year.
Everything from agriculture to food
preservation is placed on display to be
judged and awarded, allowing for nearly
all to participate.
Columbia County is no exception
and this year, in particular, was a special
one. This year we celebrated 100 years
of Columbia County Fair and Rodeo.
4-H clubs came together to compete
and the National Professional Rodeo
Association (NPRA) came to town to
entertain in this 100 th year of celebrating
Columbia County.
For kids participating in 4-H,
fair is more than just rides and fair
food. Many of them have worked
since last October to prepare for this
week. They have raised and cared for
animals, everything from rabbits to
horses, in order to show what they can
do. The members of All About Horses
4-H club, Makayla McCord, Jordan
McCord and Sadie Gump, participated
in Showmanship, Western Equitation,
and Trail, each of them bringing home
blue and red ribbons for their efforts.
For the second time, Sadie Gump gave a
public speech, this one, about Mustangs,
which she put together by herself.
4-H teaches kids to believe in
themselves and do things they might not
otherwise try. It can also lead to greater
heights. As a leader and parent of a 4-H
ra
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“It helped me become the rider I am
today along with the help of great
leaders.”
McCord ran for rodeo court
for the first time in 2014, which
was a learning experience for her.
Most importantly she learned to not
give up on her dreams. This year,
she ran again and was selected as a
2016 Rodeo Court Princess.
The process is not easy for
the contestants or their families.
Nicole Glass (above) and Nick Costley (below)
There are high expectations of
with their 4-H projects.
the young women who chose to
compete. Not only must they be good
riders; they also need to have knowledge
of NPRA rules and county history, as
well as interpersonal and public speaking
skills. “I was feeling a little overwhelmed,
because of all the preparation before
Sadie Gump and Cruiser
every event, especially given the
horse group, I saw my daughter learn heat,” said McCord, who kept her cool
and grow with her horse, succeeding despite temperatures that soared into the
in things she was
upper 90s throughout
unwilling to try a year
the week. The young
ago. Most importantly,
women
competing
I’ve watched her
had to look and be at
confidence
expand
their best during each
over the last two years.
portion of the contest, NPRA rules, 4-H book, and tons of rodeo
M a k a y l a
which was difficult lingo, as well as modeling, speech, and
McCord is a recent
given the hot weather mock TV interviews. You have to be the
graduate of Vernonia
and the reality of living best of the best to ride in rodeo and don’t
High School. She
out of a trailer during forget to be proud of your partner. You
began participating
guys are a team and you work as one.”
fair week.
in 4-H in 2007 and
The Court definitely can’t go on
M c C o r d
credits the program for
without their best friends, and these best
suggests to anyone
giving her the skills to
wanting to be in the friends are indeed their horses.
run for rodeo court.
McCord is proof of what
Rodeo Queen world
“4-H helped me learn
determination
and belief can get you.
that they, “have a horse
the ins and outs of a
She
did
not
give
up and in the process
2016 Columbia County Rodeo
that can get you there
Princess Makayla McCord
horse,” says McCord.
and study everything, of running for rodeo court, she gave her
time to assist the younger
members of her team.
That attitude of service
VERNONIA COMMUNITY WIDE
is what 4-H is really
Saturday,
about; teaching youth
to give back to those
August 22
around them.
9 am - 5 pm
Vernonia’s horse 4-H
For more info call
club is transitioning this
Helen Bateman
year. We hope to have
503-429-6203
more members for fair in
2016 when McCord will
be reigning as princess.
Regardless, if we
remain a small club,
Vernonians can expect
to see these kids out
in the arena next year,
competing for more
503-704-7837
ribbons, and becoming
better riders and citizens.
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