Weeknight Warm-Ups

Weeknight Warm-up sessions will be held in the horse arena at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in Woodstock on July 9, 15, and 23. PLEASE NOTE that the July 15 date is a change from earlier newsletters. This session is now scheduled for a TUESDAY and will feature trail class tips. Weeknight Warm-Ups allow riders and their horses to get acquainted with the county fair horse show site. Also, 4-Hers intending to show in novice classes at the fair must attend one Weeknight Warm-up session with their green sheeted horse, and notify the horse committee member on duty that night. Gates open at 6 pm and everyone should be ready to ride at 6:30 pm. Horses must be loaded and ready to leave by 8:30 pm. Weeknight Warm-ups DO NOT count as approved clinics for 2008. Cancellations due to bad weather may occur. For information, call Joan Swanson, (815)648-4576.

HORSE BOWL

It's time to start thinking about Horse Bowl for 2007-08! McHenry County has a proud tradition of excellence at regional, state and national contests, and we invite you to join the fun. During a 4-H Horse Bowl contest, two four-person teams compete by answering questions about horses in a quiz bowl format (think of it as equine Jeopardy!). Team members meet regularly through the winter to study topics from horse reference books in order to prepare for the spring contests. You do NOT need to own a horse to participate. Practice sessions will begin in late September/early October, so plan to come on out to make new friends and learn about horses. For information, call Susan Parker at (815) 477-7116.

Pullorum Testing

4-H birds hatched before January 1, 2008 must be Pullorum Tested (except waterfowl, meat birds i.e. domestic fowl that normally swim, such as ducks and geese) in a show or Exhibition, and have originated from a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid clean or equivalent hatchery within 90 days prior to exhibition. Testing will be done at the McHenry County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 19 in the rabbit barn 10:30-noon. Please bring your NPIP number with you also. For more information see fair book page or contact Jackie Francesconi at 847-669-3046.

Rabbit Tattooing

All members showing rabbits at the 4-H Fair must have them tattooed Saturday, July 19 from 8-10 am in the Rabbit Barn at the McHenry County Fairgrounds. Rabbits not tattooed on this date will be charged $2.00 per animal at show registration. For more information, please contact John Popp at (815) 385-6139.

HORSE COMMITTEE

The McHenry County Horse Committee meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Extension office. Adult volunteers are welcome to attend to help plan clinics and events.