Time to shine: 4-H members prepare for Dickinson's Roughrider Days Fair

Talk about it

Members of the Dakota Variety 4-H Club reserved the Dickinson State University arena for an afternoon of horsemanship practice Wednesday.

With the leaders offering encouragement, the members practiced their riding skills for the upcoming 4-H Horse Show in Dickinson.

Horsemanship is one of several interests pursued by the club.

“This one has rabbits, chickens and goats — the only thing we don’t do is sheep and pigs because we don’t have any interest in it,” leader Nikki Forsness said.

4-H member Allisha Dworshak likes horsemanship.

“It’s calm and soothing,” she said.

Judy Hintz keeps horses at her place south of Dickinson for the grandchildren to ride when they visit for the summer.

“My husband used to say it keeps them out of trouble — we know where they are and we like doing it as a family,” she said.

The 2012 Roughrider Days Fair and Expo celebration includes an array of 4-H shows and exhibits.

“All the youth enrolled in 4-H from Stark-Billings counties may participate,” Extension Agent Kurt Froelich said. “We have everything from food exhibits to clothing, arts and crafts — whatever the imagination can dream of.”

Froelich encourages the public to show its support by attending the free events.

“I’d like to say these youth are tomorrow’s leaders,” he said. “We need to give them every tool possible today to develop their leadership abilities.”

The judges evaluate their performances and exhibits in the competition for blue ribbons.

“They give them recommendations on how to improve,” he said. “We have business owners and individuals who support them through premium sales. The parents take time away from their activities to support them.”

Starting at 7 p.m. June 25, the public may view the non-living exhibits on display at the Badlands Activity Center. Exhibits continue on exhibit at 10 a.m., June 26 through June 28.

The 4-H horse show takes place at the Roughrider/DSU Outdoor Arena at 8 a.m. on June 26. Youth will participate in trail, Western riding, halter and reining classes, along with speed events.

The 4-H rabbit and poultry show begins at 9 a.m. June 27 in the DSU Indoor Arena. It features unusual breeds of rabbits, ducks and chickens.

The 4-H livestock exhibit judging kicks off at 9 a.m. June 28 in the DSU Indoor Arena. The livestock is washed and groomed for presentations before the judges.

Over 870 4-H youth exhibits and projects are brought to these events to demonstrate and show their hard work, Froelich said.

“The overall interest in 4-H is climbing,” he added. “I can’t say for sure if it’s due to the energy boom, but we are seeing interest in larger numbers.”

Froelich works in partnership with Extension Agent Samantha Roth and the office staff to coordinate the events.

“It’s kind of a culmination of a year’s work through club meetings,” Roth said. “It’s a time to shine.”

Many of the exhibits and projects travel on to the North Dakota State Fair for continued competition.

For more information about the 4-H shows and exhibits call 701-456-7665 or visit www.ext.nodak.edu/county/stark/.

Tags: lifestyle, dickinson, 4-h