Dear Editor
In reference to "4-H trip disappoints supporters" (Regional Optimist Feb. 10), regarding the trip to Las Vegas National Finals Rodeo the 4-H members recently took, we have the following statements of support for the club and their excursion.
The club members decided, through a democratic process, to plan their trip to Las Vegas. They proceeded with fundraising with the goal of attending the NFR, to experience first hand "the best of the best" in barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. All of these disciplines require good horsemanship, training and experience, in order to excel at an elite level. How else to provide these young riders with aspirations of excellence than by showing them the truly elite? In addition to the NFR, these young people were fortunate to visit the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam, sites we are sure are educational.
Two children in our family were in the 4-H program for more than 10 years each, and were participants in many trips to view horse events, not the least of which was a four-day chartered bus trip to Spruce Meadows one September. A few members came home from Calgary with dreams of becoming show jumpers. Was that wrong, also? And, as an aside, our kids thoroughly enjoyed the "community" process of getting along with one another, compromises when necessary, and living with a large group of adults and children for four days.
The club in mention has held numerous clinics using local clinicians, has participated fully in the complete 4-H program, including meetings, record keeping, speeches, curling and achievement days. They have attended VetaVision at the U of S College of Veterinary medicine, other equine events in and around the province and do plan to attend the Trainer's Challenge that takes place the weekend of Feb. 18 and 19 in Saskatoon.
We have supported this club in fundraising by donating our bottles and cans at their annual bottle drives. We have purchased products from them in support of their fundraising efforts. We will continue to support them whenever they come looking for funds for projects.
There are two sides to every story.
Les, Jo-Ann and Lee Ganzert
North Battleford
