Middlesex Mustangs

Greetings from the Middlesex Mustangs 4-H Club, and Katie Ferreira, Middlesex Mustangs reporter.
Members of this Middlesex Mustangs 4-H Horse Club are from Townsend, Shirley, Pepperell, Lunenburg and Chelmsford. Members include Kristin Amichetti, Tanya Chesnell, Kristy Glasheen, Daniel and Emily Messing from Townsend; Katie Ferreira, Kelsey McCallan, Samantha Oldfield, Amanda Sargent, and Alyssa Wernick from Shirley; Brittany Casey, Derek Chaisson, Samantha Domine, Dan Lundstrom and Shannon Murphy from Pepperell: Sarah McLeod-Warrick from Lunenburg; Jenn Melanson from Chelmsford; and Liz Melanson of Chelmsford is the club's much-appreciated leader.

The Annual Westford 4-H Fair was held in August. Members showed their horses and other 4-H projects and the club won the Sportsmanship Award.

The first meeting of the 4-H club Middlesex Mustangs was held on Oct. 6.

On Oct. 17, there was 4-H horse judging in Littleton. Members had to judge different types of horses and give reasons for their placement in the classes. The junior members could choose to explain their choices or not. Oral reasons are a type of explanation on how and why you placed the class the way you did. Ribbons were handed out to the top 10 juniors and seniors. Children who won a ribbon have a chance at making the county Horse Judging Team.

On Oct. 20, officers were elected. They are Tanya Chesnell as president, Sarah McLeod as vice president, Jenn Melanson as secretary, Brittany Casey as treasurer, and Katie Ferreira as reporter.

On Oct. 24, the Middlesex Mustangs had a Poker Ride at the Ferreira's house. Along the way, the riders received a playing card at five stops. When they got back, the rider with the best poker hand won. Derek Chaisson had the best hand and won a poker game set. Cindy Mitton came in second and in third place was Brittany Casey. Afterwards, they had pizza and hot chocolate.

Club President Tanya Chesnell was unable to attend the trail ride as she was in Kentucky representing Massachusetts 4-H in the National Horse Bowl competition. This was a general knowledge competition about horse science, history, care and other aspects of horsemanship.

On Dec. 5, the club held a Mounted Program. In this program, the Middlesex Mustangs got to play games on horseback such as command and barrel racing. All of us had fun!

On Dec. 15, the club held a Yankee Gift Swap. Everyone had a really great time. We made our own gingerbread people and ate them. After our gift swap, we all bid our good-byes for the year. Our next club meeting will be Jan. 19!