TUNBRIDGE — Alexis Wertheim of Hancock was among the equestrians from three states to gather at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds, June 2-5, for the 2022 Orange County 4-H/Open Horse Clinic.

The annual event, sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and the Orange County 4-H Foundation, was open to both 4-H and non-4-H youths, ages 8-18, as well as adult riders. It provided an opportunity for them to improve their riding skills and equine knowledge through instruction and fun games, activities and workshops.

Riders from Addison, Lamoille, Orange, Windham and Windsor Counties, as well as Connecticut and New Hampshire, participated in five riding lessons, three instructional workshops and several gymkhana games throughout the three-day clinic. Youth participants also painted horse grooming brushes, tie-dyed T-shirts, crafted stall signs and created informational posters for their stall doors, addressing the clinic’s theme, “Me and My Horse.”

Among the other activities, Wertheim recieved Western riding instruction from Jessica Rabidoux and Emily Lang of Rabidoux Performance Horses in Hinesburg 

All participants took part in daily stable management, which evaluated their non-riding horsemanship and knowledge of tack and grooming aids and basic first aid/safety equipment.