Youth learn leadership skills - from head to hoof

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Comanche County 4-H Horse Club coach Rachel Hillard, right, stands next to one of her members, Dlin Biggs. -Staff photo by Spikes

January 22, 2004 -- Comanche County 4-H and FFA youth have worked hard with their livestock this past year trying to accomplish the goal of getting a blue ribbon. On Jan. 10-13, they were able to show off their livestock and get the chance of winning that ribbon during the 2004 Comanche County Junior Livestock Show.

Youth from all over the area competed in various events during the show. One such participant was fourteen-year-old Cody Clark. Clark took first place in the yearling gelding division of the horse show this year.

"I like horses," Clark stated. "I have lived on a ranch in Gustine all my life, and I am always around horses. It's fun to ride them and show them in events like this."

For the past two years, he has showed horses. "My family has been involved with livestock shows. My father has shown livestock on the professional circuit. My sister likes showing cattle." Clark added that he enjoys just showing horses.

"Since I have been around horses all my life, I just naturally wanted to show horses." The horse that he showed, which earned him the first place ribbon, is one that he had been working with for the past year.

"I enjoy winning, but I also enjoy the competition," he added.

Rachel Hillard, 4-H coach for the Comanche County 4-H Horse Club, is proud of her kids for their accomplishments. "We had 30 kids enter about 58 horses for the various competitions at the horse show."

She feels that the livestock show is important because it not only helps build a child's self-esteem but it also allows them to do something challenging. "Win or lose, we stress that it's important that they always do the best they can."

Hillard stated that she has seen kids become more confident in their lives when they participate in an event like this. "They know that they can deal with other problems and can do well in other aspects for life."

She explained that being involved in an event like the horse show teaches kids to work hard for the goals they want to accomplish and helps them overcome their fears of being in front of other people.

"It gives them the confidence to try new things. They also learn the importance of responsibility. They know that in order to do well they have to take care of their horse by grooming them, feeding them, and preparing them for the competition. In general, it helps them learn more about horses as well."