The Ogle County 4-H Horse Drill Team is chomping at the bit for spring to arrive. Since Mother Nature is not cooperating, the Drill Team has been holding practices and planning meetings indoors at the Farm Bureau building on Pines Road in Oregon. Upcoming events for the Drill Team include: Play Day at Diamond G on May 10th, Fundraisers, Picnics, Parades, Competitions and outdoor practices at Diamond G Ranch & Western Store. The Drill Team is open to all 4-H members who were 8 as of September, 2007 that have the desire to ride a horse. Contact Eric Fishel at 815-453-7765.

On Wednesday, April 30^th, the 2008 Regional Youth Horse Judging Contest will be held at the Ag Arena on the campus of Black Hawk East. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Ag Arena. Please R.S.V.P to Courtney Finch at (309)853-1533 or cfinch@uiuc.edu by April 25 at 4:30 p.m. The Cost will be $3.00 per team member; payable at the time of registration. Classes will include Stock Type Mare, Stock Type Gelding, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Horsemanship and English Equitation. Pole bending will be held after the classes are judged followed by the contest results.

The Bits 'N Reins 4-H Club of Ogle County is having their 23rd Annual Open Horse Show on June 28 & 29 2008 at Diamond G Ranch & Western Store in Rochelle, IL. The show will start at 9:00 a.m. both days. June 28th offers English classes starting with jumping and ending with Ride-A-Buck Bareback. June 29th offers Western classes starting with halter and ending with Plug. Both days have showmanship, equitation/horsemanship, trail, etc. We also have weekend high points that will be handed out at the end of the show. For more information please call (815) 562-9552 or day of event (815) 562-4050.