Youth Development (Bernalillo County)

NM State 4-H Horse School: Rick Richardson, State 4-H Staff, requested help with the Ranch Horse clinic at the State 4-H Horse School held at Expo New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque. This agent used his local connection, Charlie Meyers at Cattleman’s Livestock Auction to borrow 6 calves for the youth to practice tying and develop those skills. Approximately 150 youth were involved and the program was a tremendous success. I borrowed a stock trailer from D McCall to haul the cattle. The workshop was very well received and the clinic was successful.

4-H Rodeo First Aid & Event Safety Clinic: The 4-H Rodeo requirement is that the 4-H Youth undergo an annual first aid & event safety training. This was provided by agent Bob Pate, and Paramedic Dan David. The first aid training was not certification training, but focused on cuts, bruises, splinting or immobilizing broken limbs, and emergency contacts. The event safety training was accomplished using NMSU films addressing Rough Stock safety and Timed Event safety. Rough stock safety is not an oxy-moron; where else can you tie a twelve year old youth to a 1,000 pound bull and call it FUN? Thirty-two youth met the educational requirements to participate in the Statewide 4-H Sanctioned Rodeos.

Senior 4-H Shooting Sports: This agent conducted two shooting sports contests for senior age 4-H Members. There were very few youth shooting this year. There were four youth who shot Shotgun and three youth who shot archery. Those youth competed in the State Shooting sports competition at Whittington Center, Raton, NM, but did not place. Two of the archers had not shot before this year. Their scores were only 25% of the total score possible.

4-H Hunter Education: This Agent was certified by NM Game & Fish to teach Hunter Education and required all 4-H youth to have completed the course before they could participate in NW District or State 4-H Shooting Sports competition. He was the lead agent to provide the class to 22 youth and adults with 3 being 4-H Members. 82% of the students qualified to receive the Hunter Education Certification.

Hunter Education Acceleratd Workshop: Assisted County wide 4-H Riflery Leader to conduct an accelerated Hunter Education one-day Workshop. The program is designed for youth 12 and older who must complete the workbook before attending. The workshop had an intense materials review, practical handling and gun safety exercise and finally practical handling and written tests. Surprisingly, the passing rate for the class was 92%.