News Briefs: Equine Related

CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Teens believe internet access is critical for equality.

A new survey by National 4-H Council, the Harris Poll and the 4-H Tech Changemakers coalition found that teens believe unreliable broadband access contributes to economic and social inequities, perceptions of reduced career prospects, significantly lower digital literacy and less confidence in their future success.

Not-So-Fast Facts

Teens reveal the drastic impact that slow internet speeds have on opportunities for success in their classes, careers and communities and urge the government to pick up the pace toward universal broadband access.

73% of teens agree that “Digital skills will be the key to getting the best jobs for my generation.” 1 in 10 American teens do not have access to broadband internet (1 in 6 in rural communities). Broadband access dropped 7% at both homes and schools since 2019.

Only 37% of teens with an unreliable connection feel that high-quality, K-12 education is within reach for their community.

Only 38% of teens with unreliable connections feel their community has access to a wide variety of job opportunities.

89% of teens say their need for high-speed internet access at home has increased, or stayed the same in the last 18 months.

Ultimately, teens see broadband availability as a barrier to staying in their community long term (25% unreliable internet, 14% reliable internet). Confidence to succeed in life is down 9% since 2019 (down 12% for those with unreliable internet).

Closing the Gap

These findings show the profound impact reliable broadband access and digital literacy can have on the lives and futures of American teens and their communities. 4-H Tech Changemakers is National 4-H Council's initiative to help close the digital divide, with a focus on Black, Brown, and rural communities, made possible by support from Land O’Lakes, Microsoft, Verizon, and Tractor Supply along with 20 Land Grant University partners.

Through the 4-H Tech Changemakers program, teens are empowering their communities through digital literacy training by reaching an estimated 50,000 adults across 18 states in 2021.

Learn more about teaming up with 4-H and bridging the digital divide by contacting Heather Elliott, VP Development, at 301792-1023 or email: HElliott@4-H.org

For more studies on the teen perspective on everything from mental health to racial injustice, check out our Research page at https://4-h.org/about/research/#!teenperspectives

ONE OF THE BEST SEASONS FOR IEA

We are well on our way to what looks like one of our best seasons EVER in the IEA! Membership has been running full steam since June and thousands of members have already renewed or joined for the first time. As of September 7th, we are happy to welcome 93 BRAND NEW TEAMS to the IEA as well as 47 teams returning from pre-COVID seasons in addition to hundreds of returning teams who stuck with us last season despite the trials of a pandemic. We welcome EVERYONE back and are so excited to see you in the show ring.

As Executive Director, Roxane Durant, likes to say..."IEA is a Community of equestrians all working together for the betterment of the sport." That statement rings true as the staff can tangibly feel the excitement and anticipation of our members starting the 20th Anniversary season. With more than a dozen shows already under our belt, we know you are anxious to start competing.

Our membership staff is working tirelessly to complete membership applications and answer questions in the order they come into the office. Please be patient as they sort through hundreds of daily emails, phone calls, faxes, and papers. We understand it can be a bit overwhelming and we sincerely appreciate your patience. It is a great 'problem' to have so many people anxiously awaiting to RIDE IEA! If you have not renewed your team membership yet or are looking to start a new team, add a new discipline to your team, or just have general questions about coaching – reach out to Jennifer Eaton at jenn@ rideiea.org or by calling 1-877-RIDE-IEA ext. 203. Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge and experience in setting up coaches for success. If you are planning on returning to IEA this season, please try and renew your team membership by OCTOBER 1, 2021. While there is no longer a deadline for TEAM MEMBERSHIP, in order to have the best opportunities for a full show season, you should register this month. The same is true for riders – the sooner you join, the sooner you are eligible to begin competing. Last year, IEA hosted more than 900 horse shows across the nation which is a huge accomplishment thanks to the hundreds of IEA coaches who were well organized and ran great shows.

“NOEL” A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS

Two full hours of nonstop Christmas excitement returns to the Michiana Event Center in Shipshewana! This amazing and uplifting show is filled with nonstop equestrian adventures, featuring some of the most beautiful horses anywhere, along with incredibly talented riders from all around the world. See the Noel singers, dancers, aerialists, hogs, dogs and more! Christmas is without a doubt the most special time of the year, and we are proud and honored to share with you the real reason we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! "Noel" features one of the largest living nativities anywhere, complete with a recreation of the stable and manger in Bethlehem where the savior was born. A glorious Angel heralds the Lord’s

“NOEL”, continued

coming as wise men from the East with reallife camels come to witness the blessed miracle, as well as the townspeople with their sheep, goats, donkey & cow.

TICKETS START AT $34.95 (ADULTS) CHILDREN 4-11 $19.95 CHILDREN 0-3 FREE

Dinner & Pre-Show: Come enjoy our Christmas feast and experience true warm winter deliciousness where everything is roasted, baked and savory!!

During the dinner portion of the evening, you will be entertained by Guinness World Record holder, John Cassidy!

Dinner tickets are in addition to the main show:

Adults $20 Children (4-11) $10 Children (0-3) FREE

Located at the Michiana Event Center, 455 E. Farver Street, Shipshewana, IN 46565.

https://www.michianaevents.com/noel

2ND ANNUAL MICHIANA EQUINE EXPO

Make plans to join us at the 2021 Michiana Equine Expo, December 2, 3 & 4, 2021!

Our mission is to educate our next generation on various equine related topics. To promote the most innovative products and services available throughout our country.

As an attendee you’ll have opportunities to attend educational seminars, visit a variety of equine related vendors for great shopping, and enjoy entertainment by Amberley Snyder and others. TICKETS:

$10 for a single day $30 for a 4-day pass Kids 8 & under are free

Vendors, contact Linda 260.768.3310 or email : linda.miller@michianaevents.com

Located at the Michiana Event Center, 455 E. Farver St., Shipshewana, IN 46565

https://www.michianaevents.com/

YOUR EQUINE ORGANIZATION CAN HELP AT-RISK HORSES!

The United Horse Coalition is seeking organizations that provide programs that help at-risk horses, those in transition, and owners in need, to join its Equine Resource Database. By having one centrally located area to access these resources, UHC hopes it will help owners keep their horses from becoming at-risk. To date, the UHC Equine Resource Database has received over 15,000 visitors!

The UHCERD contains a list of resources available nationwide. This includes horse rescues and sanctuaries, direct placement organizations, feed assistance, temporary foster, castration assistance, veterinary funding or assistance, euthanasia programs and clinics, behavior modification assistance, law enforcement services, legal advice, and educational materials on responsible ownership and breeding.

The database is populated from a questionnaire available on the UHC website regarding available safety net programs, and is currently being sent to the following:

All known equine welfare organizations nationwide that have a current (501c3) status, 4-H Groups, Extension Specialists, Veterinary Colleges and Universities, State Horse Councils, State Horse Specialists, State Veterinarians/DAR, Municipal Groups that assist with horses, and Equine Industry Organizations.

Those who offer any type of assistance program are encouraged to take part in this questionnaire and help the United Horse Coalition build upon this critical resource. The brief questionnaire (5-10 minutes) can be completed by going to the UHC website at: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/joinresource-database/. In addition to the Equine Resource Database, UHC has added a searchable component. If you have already submitted your organization's information, thank you! You can always update your information by submitting a new form in the future.

https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/

AMAZING SHOWS FOR THE 2021-2022 SEASON!

YEDA is pleased to announce, and excited to showcase, our student riders at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Last season we couldn't show due to its cancellation, but now we are loaded and ready to go! Scheduled for October 6, 2021, the show will be a double-judge regular point show in the coliseum. Many of our student riders, also part of the youth showing at the congress, can now compete there with their horses. For those student riders that don't own a horse, this will be a great venue to experience a premier world class event. This exposure will give them a good look into the equine industry.

We need to give a special shout out to Schneider’s Saddlery for their continued support of YEDA and their generous sponsorships. Thank you!

YEDA will again have a point show at Color Breed Congress (CBC), Nov. 5 & 6, 2021.

Pinto Association of America and YEDA will partner again to run a great event at the CBC. This year's show will be a two-day event, November 5 & 6, 2021. We are so honored to have the Pinto Association – one of the largest color breed organizations in the country – host our shows. Many of our teams from the area attended last season and some of our student riders took home CBC winner’s jackets. See all there is to do in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the CBC.

YEDA HAS ADDED ANOTHER NEW AND EXCITING FACILITY

We just won't stop finding new ways to bring exciting special events to our student riders. We are going to Indiana’s premier equine and event facility, the Michiana Event Center. An easy drive from anywhere in Indiana, it is a stones’ throw from Michigan and Ohio. What is really exciting is this event will feature a college fair for our student riders. So not only will the showing be fun and exciting, but there will be real advantages for the student riders participating. See you November 13 & 14, 2021 at the double-judge show.

http://showyeda.com/