Found: One Commemorative Belt Buckle
Last year I found my 4-H Western National Championship Belt Buckle. I was so delighted to find it in a box of odds & ends at my parents house that I squealed out loud in delight. When I was in junior high, my best friend, 2 other 4-Hers and I flew to Denver to participate in the Western National Horsebowl. Horsebowl was a big deal in Horse 4-H; it is basically Trivial Pursuit for those with OCHD (Obsessive Compulsive Horse Disorder). We easily swept the State championship. We knew our stuff.
Then…well then how the mighty fall. We thought we had to get fancy. While the other state teams were busy reviewing the existing materials, we were memorizing 800 page Equine Veterinary Manuals. I still can speed spell Neonatal Isoerythrolysis as well as describe the symptoms, causes and treatment quicker than you can say: What are inherited disorders of the horse or mule, Alex. We neglected to re-review our 4-H manuals and were promptly defeated by a team that could provide answers to the 5 basic coat colors more quickly than ours.
It was to say the least, deflating. But, we still all received these belt buckles. Each is emblazoned with the 4-H Cloverleaf and a Quarter Horse Head. I was an English rider in a predominantly Western riding state, so didn’t appreciate it much then. But now, finding it at the bottom of that box was like unearthing forgotten treasure. My mom gave a western belt that she had hand tooled in the 80’s but never assembled. It’s like it had been waiting for me and my belt buckle. Now, I love stomping around through town in my western Ariats, proudly displaying my 4-H loot & handsome tooling. Some people never grow up I guess.
Blue Bell Creamery has announced a new icecream flavor in honor of the 4-H organization: Centennial Cupcake Ice Cream is “a delicious cake batter ice cream with pieces of yellow cake, a chocolate icing swirl and four-leaf clover sprinkles.” A portion of proceeds will be donated to 4-H to celebrate it’s 100th year.
P.S. Quick, who can name what the 4-H’s stand for?
Tags: 4-H, belt buckle, horse, horsebowl, trivia
April 25, 2008 at 4:11 am
Health, Hands, Heart? - and I forget the last one? Drat!
April 25, 2008 at 4:20 am
Head Heart Health Home? Crap, I always blew that one…. I miss 4-H
April 25, 2008 at 4:28 am
Head, Heart, Hands & Health… I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world. Ta-Da-LOL.
I was a 10 year member, now a leader and my daughter is has been a member for 4 years.
I love 4-H. It is the only youth horse program around these parts. So growing up, it was my only chance to horse show.
April 25, 2008 at 4:37 am
Glad everybody had as much fun in 4-H as I did.
Cdn & Mikey, so close! That fourth one sometimes eluded me as well.
Brown Eyed Cowgirls - good for you ; the 4-h’s and the full pledge. That brought back memories of reciting that before the start of each meeting, thanks for bringing that back!