Laramie Man Receives National Award

A local man, developer of the Kid's Arena Horse Play game, is the recipient of a national award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

Oliver "Ollie" Hill of Laramie, received the National Communicator Award for Educational Package for his contributions to the education of equine knowledge.

Hill, retired since 1996, was an extension educator in Colorado and Wyoming and was a member of the Wyoming State 4-H office.  Said Hill:

I’ve always been interested in helping kids and adults and that’s been the course of my career.

The game is fairly simple, and is designed to critique 4-H'ers horse skills and knowledge.  Gameplay, in a nutshell begins with a laminate sheet that is posted at an arena entrance showing a circular route. A skill to be judged is posted at up to six stations. A volunteer judge critiques the riding skills at each station and asks a question. If the answer is correct, the rider advances to the next station and skill. If wrong, the rider goes to the jail station and is asked another question. The 4-H’er then returns to the start of the circuit. 4-H’ers successfully completing the circuit are given Sheriff stickers, those who get part way receive a Deputy badge, and those sent to jail receive a Jail Bird sticker. Use of the stickers is optional but fun for the kids, said Hill.

It makes a fun and different learning experience for the kids. A lot of volunteer leaders do the same old same old arena work while working with the kids. This just gives them a new, fresh approach to help the kids learn both skills and knowledge.

There are close to 400 questions for 4-H'ers of all ages, covering information for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders.  Questions quiz riders on English and Western riding knowledge and on equine health & nutrition. The questions are coded so clubs can concentrate on specific subjects, such as health one session and nutrition the next, as well as other topics.

Cath Harris, Albany County horse leader and county fair superintendent whose club helped test ride the game said, "I think it is effective – mostly because the questions with answers are already prepared – all you need to do is read the question.

From inception to production, the game took about four years, but upon receiving the award, Hill looked back with pride, "I feel good with what we came out with."

For more information on Ollie Hill or his game, go to www.highcountryhorse.net.