4-H riders raise $1,000 for charity

4-H riders raise $1,000 for charity

Mounted Games is a youth club within Halton 4-H and is available to anyone between the ages of 10-21 who owns or has access to his or her own pony and English tack. Halton 4-H Mounted Games consists of a series of relay races on horseback. Some of the games include five-flag race, mug shuffle, pole bending, stepping-stones, balloon race, and many more. Mounted Games teaches members leadership, teamwork and new riding skills. Members include beginners to advanced riders. Once a year Mounted Games decides to raise funds for a charity. In 2005 it chose WaterCan, an organization which raises money to build wells in Africa. In an effort to raise $1,000, members sold Mounted Games t-shirts, hotdogs, and water. At the end of the season, all members participated in a Chili Ride, which members had to pay $5 each to ride the trails and enjoy chili afterwards. After reaching the fundraising goal, thanks largely to the $200 contribution from the Bank of Montreal in Milton, Gary Pluim (representing WaterCan and Honorary President Margaret Trudeau) came from Ottawa to accept the cheque and give members an insight into WaterCan and its work. The federal government will triple the money Halton 4-H Mounted Games raised because it is going towards water and hygiene education in a school in Africa. --By Carly Thomas, Halton 4-H Mounted Games Treasurer