Announcing the 2025 NC 4-H Recreational Riding Rewards Winners

(Updated: Dec. 8, 2025, 7:18 a.m.)

Hit the Trails: Announcing the 2025 NC 4-H Recreational Riding Rewards Winners!


The NC 4-H Recreational Riding Rewards Program celebrates the commitment of members who spend time enjoying their equine partners outside of the show ring. This program recognizes riders who log recreational hours to earn cumulative state-level awards.

How the Program Works


  • What Counts: Hours are tracked for riding or driving activities completed outside of an arena, such as on trails, endurance rides, organized group rides (like fox hunts, hunter paces, or beach rides), or competitive trail rides.

  • What Doesn't Count: Arena riding, lessons, and horse show hours are not eligible.

  • Cumulative: Hours follow the rider and build up year after year, regardless of the horse used, allowing members to achieve increasingly higher levels of recognition over time.


LINK TO RECREATIONAL RIDING REWARDS PAGE


2025 NC 4-H Horse Program Recreational Riding Rewards Winners


Congratulations to the following members who reached a new milestone in 2025 based on hours accumulated between 2020 and 2024!

Award Level Recipient County
2,000 HOURS Marissa Rathbun Wake
250 HOURS Toot McCauley Cumberland
100 HOURS Ava Hope Smith Catawba
50 HOURS Isabel Cox Currituck
25 HOURS Kyann Race Rowan
Emmy Creek Wake

Bravo to Marissa Rathbun for reaching the incredible 2,000-hour milestone—a true testament to countless hours spent exploring with her equine partners!


Recreational Riding Achievement 2000 Hours belt buckle.