08/05/2026
🍀Saddle Club 🐴 Celebrating 10-Year 4-H Saddle Club Retiring Member Brianna Crouse 🐴💚**
Ten years ago, Brianna Crouse entered the Saddle Club arena as a young walk-trot rider with a horse named Max. Today, she leaves as a confident horsewoman with countless memories, lifelong friendships, and a heart full of gratitude.
Brianna's 4-H journey has been one of growth, perseverance, and learning from every horse she has been fortunate enough to ride.
There was **Max**, the unforgettable horse who earned Brianna the nickname of spending "more time in the dirt than in the saddle!" While contesting wasn't exactly his favorite event, Max loved the slower pleasure and halter classes and taught Brianna some of her very first lessons in horsemanship—and resilience.
Then came **Sq**rt**, the little gaited pony who helped rebuild Brianna's confidence after Max's occasional buck-offs. When she outgrew Sq**rt, she moved on to **Princess**, who showed her what it was like to ride a faster horse while proving that age doesn't stop a horse from giving its all.
The last chapter of her Saddle Club career has been written with **Willow**—also known as Willie, Wilford, Waffle, or Windy, depending on her mood! What started as a lease quickly became a lifelong partnership. Willow challenged Brianna every day, teaching her patience, determination, and trust. Even on difficult days, Willow always gave everything she had once they stepped into the arena together.
Brianna reflected on how special it is that her first ride in Saddle Club was on Max, and her final rides have been aboard Willow—a horse who has helped her win classes and continue competing beyond 4-H in both NFRA and IBRA events.
Throughout her speech, Brianna shared heartfelt thanks to the many people who made her journey possible. She expressed her gratitude to Heather McKay for helping connect her with Willow, Karina Barkey for the countless late nights, road trips, and unwavering friendship, her grandparents Marlene and John for always supporting her, Grandpa Brian for providing Max and caring for her throughout fair week, and Aunt Cassidy for introducing her to horses long before she was old enough for 4-H.
She also thanked her mom, and (dad) Ray for supporting her dreams, hauling horses across the state, and encouraging her every step of the way. A special thank you went to the Yoder family and the many Saddle Club families who welcomed, encouraged, and supported her throughout the past ten years.
Brianna's story is a reminder that 4-H is about so much more than competition. It's about the horses who teach us life lessons, the families who cheer us on, the friendships that become family, and the memories that last forever.
Congratulations, Brianna, on an incredible 10-year 4-H Saddle Club career! Thank you for everything you've brought to our club. We can't wait to see where your passion for horses takes you next, and we know you'll continue making us proud wherever the trail leads.
🍀💚 **Once a 4-H'er, always a 4-H'er. Congratulations, Brianna!** 🐴🎓
