Horses lead girls down career path

The 17-year-olds said 4-His all about leadership, sportsmanship andmaking new friends.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Kim Schultz and Valerie Stark have been riding horses for as long as they can remember.
Both are members of equine 4-H clubs, and both are planning horse-centered careers.
"I want to be a horse trainer or breeder -- anything that has to do with horses," Kim said as she removed bridle and saddle from a 2-year-old mare she'd been riding.
"I love horses and I want to train them -- I just want to be around them," Valerie said enthusiastically as she pitched straw liberally mingled with manure into a wheelbarrow.
Kim is in her sixth year as a member of the Columbiana County Equestrians, and Valerie has been a member of the Blazing Saddles 4-H club four years.
2002 is the centennial anniversary of the 4-H movement, and Ohio State and Penn State universities' cooperative extension programs are planning a variety of activities throughout the year.
Area 4-H extension agents say most event planning is in the early stages, with most of the celebrations probably centered around the junior fairs in the five-county area.
Equine management: Kim and Valerie, both 17-year-old Leetonia High School juniors, are enrolled in the Columbiana County Career Center's equine management program.
Darrell Bevelhymer, the program's director, also has an extensive background in 4-H. He has been on the horse committee for the 4-H junior fair for 27 years.
Bevelhymer said the students learn all aspects of equine science, from training and caring for horses, including equine health and nutrition, to the reproductive process. Two mares in the career center barn are nearly ready to foal.
He said there appears to be a natural progression from 4-H horse projects to the career center's equine management program, as about half of the 17 students enrolled in the equine management program have a 4-H background.
Lifelong interest: Kim said her family has owned horses since she was very young. She's had three horses during her 4-H experience and is now working with a colt.
She said through 4-H she has shown horses in western and pleasure and English classes and in competitive barrel racing.
Kim said she has been a 4-H junior leader and usually holds an office such as secretary or vice president of her 4-H club.
Besides taking care of her family's horses and the horses at the career center, she also works on a farm where she "gets to train and ride other people's horses."
Being involved in 4-H gives members the opportunity to travel, make new friends and reunite with old ones, she said.
Kim plans to attend the University of Findlay or Ohio State and study equine science.
Treasures friendships: Valerie also said 4-H teaches leadership and sportsmanship and teamwork, but above all, "the friendships are the best part."
Although she's certain she wants the focus of her career to be horses, Valerie said she also enjoys photography and computer graphic arts, and would like to use computer graphics and advertising skills within the horse industry.
Valerie also plans to raise and train horses, and wants to provide opportunities for the disabled to experience horses and riding.
She said 4-H and the career center fit together well.
"I love 4-H and I love horses," she said. "I've had horses all my life, and I've experienced a lot through 4-H. I thought I knew a lot, but I've learned a great deal here."
Valerie isn't the least bit shy about explaining that loving horses includes not only feeding and riding and grooming them, but taking care of the business end. She long ago mastered the fine art of stall cleaning.
"I get to do this here, then do it at home," Valerie said with a good-natured groan as she pushed a wheelbarrow load of pungent manure-straw mix out of the barn.
"You're an expert," Bevelhymer teased. "Be sure and put that on your r & eacute;sum & eacute;."