Miniature Horses are the perfect horse for children. Their gentle nature makes them easy to handle for even the youngest children. Owning and caring for miniature horse teaches children responsibility, work ethic and installs a sense of pride in a job well done.
Many M.A.M.H.C. members have children or grandchildren in the show ring as young as two years old. Classes for children include halter, costume, hunter, jumper, obstacle, driving and leadline. The Mid-American Miniature Horse Club has a very active youth organization that has a yearly clinic and other activities.
2010 M.A.M.H.y.C. Youth Officers
| President |
Sara Theiss |
| Vice President |
Samantha Congleton |
| Secretary |
Gracie Taylor |
| Treasurer |
Shanna Crow |
| Historian |
Nicolas Heitchew |
| Activities Directors |
Ali Carpenter
Frankie Taylor |
| Photographer |
Cameron Paynter |
| M.A.M.H.y.C. Advisors |
Katie Marshall
Sherry Crowe |
Youth Photos | Youth Clinic 2009 Photos
2/3/11
Update from your long lost Youth Leader
Hello everyone. I am so sorry for my absence at many of the shows and meetings over the last two years. My life has changed very dramatically and I have had a hard time fitting everything into each day. The first big change was my marriage to Mike Marshall. Then I graduated from Midway College and jumped directly into managing a Thoroughbred horse farm in Paris, Kentucky. With 50 horses and a staff of two, time was a luxury. Despite a growing baby bump I continued at Farfellow Farm throughout 2010 until November 8, 2010 when I went into labor. I became a mom to Mary Emily Marshall on November 9, 2010. From then my life has turned upside down. Being a mom is the best and I am renewed in my excitement for the Youth Program.
Mary Emily is now approaching her 3 month Birthday and though I have grown accustomed to motherhood, there are a few more challenges which will likely keep me from the next few meetings. Mary Emily was born with a dislocated hip and she has been under the care of Shriners Hospital in Lexington since she was 5 weeks old. She wears a little brace around her diaper and she is definitely on the mend but long car rides are not very comfortable her quite yet. In addition, Mary Emily and I are back to work foal watching for Cuttaway Farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky and simultaneously keeping up on excess paperwork for our family at Taylor Made Farm. We sleep most of the day. Finally, my husband Mike Marshall is up for his third knee surgery at Jewish Hospital in Louisville on February 9, 2011. Thus, the February meeting is not really feasible for me at this point.
Hopefully we will be there in March. In the meantime, I know that the youth population is dwindling. Gracie was the only 8-12 in our club last year and she has now moved up. I don’t think we even have someone to replace her as all of our 7 and under kids have at least one year left. I am not really sure what to do about the problem. Previously, I carried about five extra kids to shows with me in hopes that they would take an interest in learning about caring for horses and would one day buy and show their own horses. In the end the Carpenters did buy three geldings but only their youngest Reece is still interested in showing. This process was just too labor intensive and took too much time. Now, I do not have time. I can promise Gracie and I will most likely bring Reece as long as her schedule permits.
The good news is that several of the families that have been members for a long time are multiplying. The Birchler Family, Harris Family, and Taylor Family will hopefully keep the ball rolling. All I can do is urge you all to bring any family members that are interested.
Lastly, I do not have plans for this year as there are rarely enough kids to have really exciting activities. I would like to have popsicles during the lunch break at a few shows and maybe facilitate a water balloon fight at Silver Jubilee on Saturday afternoon. Really, it is up to you all. Please email me and let me know what you want to do. We have almost $1,000 left to work with. Taylor Made Miniatures is willing to donate a junior colt or gelding to raffle off for the youth. I would like to take our money and take out an ad in the Lexington Herald Leader advertising our “I want to show a horse” class. Then maybe we could get lots of kids out to participate and sell more raffle tickets. I plan to fit this young colt or gelding for Gracie and I to show this summer and then draw for the raffle at Regionals.
Please let me know what you think. I hope to hear from you all!
Best Wishes
Katie
