Horse Ambassadors

What is a Weber County 4-H Horse Ambassador?

This program is designed to help outstanding teen 4-H members develop leadership and public relations skills while promoting the 4-H horse program. A 4-H Horse Ambassador encourages community participation in the horse project including showing, contests, workshops, leadership and community service. If people know what the 4-H horse program is and how kids benefit from it, they are more likely to become involved as 4-Hers, volunteers and/or donors. Often youth participating in the program are much more successful in telling others about the horse program – after all, they have personally experienced it!

Qualifications for Weber County 4-H Horse Ambassadors

  • At the time of application, enrolled in 8th – 12th grades
  • Enrolled in 4-H for at least two years
  • Active in horse project
  • Have time to fulfill County 4-H Horse Ambassador role
  • Responsible

County 4-H Horse Ambassador Roles:

Depending on his or her expertise and unique interests, each County 4-H Horse Ambassador will represent and promote the program in various ways such as:

  • Represent the horse project in a public relations role
  • Promote the 4-H horse project with potential members, parents and general public
  • Teach workshops and clinics
  • Help conduct 4-H horse events or contests
  • Organize promotional activities
  • Encourage financial support for the 4-H horse program

Application Process:

Teens will be selected each year through an application and interview process. Applications are available on the county website and are due to the County 4-H Office by August 25th. As part of the application process, youth submit a detailed description of their proposed County 4-H Horse Ambassador project. This will be a two to three month project conducted by and through the leadership of the Ambassador applicant. The selected project needs to promote, sustain, or benefit the 4-H horse program. The project could also be utilized as a State 4-H Ambassador project, if desired. The project must be completed within one year. Each application must include a project proposal for consideration.

Project Timeline:

By October 15, each Ambassador needs to submit a detailed project timeline to the 4-H office. This will help keep each Ambassador's project on track. 

Project Summary:

At the conclusion of their project, each Jr Livestock Ambassador will prepare a written summary of his or her project. It is typically submitted in a notebook, with tabbed dividers for the following sections:

  • Table of Contents
  • Junior Livestock Ambassador application and acceptance letter
  • Resume
  • Project proposal and timeline
  • Project report (the who, what, when, where, and why of your project)
  • Supporting documentation: thank you letters you wrote to people who assisted you with your project, photographs, newspaper and/or newsletter articles, congratulation letters you received, etc.

If you finish your report early enough, it can be entered as a County Fair 4-H entry (SEE Class FF, Lot 1: Ambassador project notebooks).

Orientation and Planning:

The County 4-H Horse Ambassador Orientation will be held in October. This is a mandatory event for all County 4-H Horse Ambassadors. Additionally, Ambassadors will meet about every other month to plan upcoming events and provide support for individual projects.

Recognition:

Each County 4-H Horse Ambassador will be honored at 4-H Achievement Night.

Dress for Weber County 4-H Horse Ambassadors:

  • Each County 4-H Horse Ambassador will receive a shirt.
  • When representing 4-H as an Ambassador, always dress appropriately wearing your Ambassador shirt and black slacks, black jeans or a black skirt, and appropriate shoes.
  • In many cases, jeans and boots will be be more appropriate for the role you are performing. Make sure to wear appropriate jeans that help present a good image for the Weber County 4-H horse program (clean, no holes, not low rise or faded, etc.).

Always wear closed-toed shoes (preferably dark colored boots).

Key Dates and Roles for County 4-H Horse Ambassadors:

  • August 25th: County Application Due (including proposed project description)
  • Late August: County Ambassador Interviews
  • Mid-September: Ambassadors announced and duties begin
  • Early October: County Ambassador Orientation
  • November 1: Ambassador project timeline submitted
  • This fall until next September:
  • Promote the 4-H horse project at Town Festivals, PTA, conferences, civic clubs, etc.
  • Provide support for county 4-H horse programs (public speaking, promotion, exhibits, etc.)
  • Implement your County Ambassador Project
  • October 15 (next fall): County 4-H Horse Ambassador Report and Service Record Due
  • November (next fall): Receive recognition at 4-H Achievement Night

If any deadlines fall on a weekend or holiday, the due date will be the next regular business day.