More than 60 people attended the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center's second annual holiday card recognition and Virginia Tech student recruitment event held Saturday, January 23, 2010.

Carrie Gilboy of Giles County, Va., submitted the winning artwork for the center's 2009 holiday card. Gilboy, 13, is a member of the 4-H Horsin' Around Club in Giles County and attends Blacksburg New School, in Blacksburg, Va. Gilboy loves to draw and is saving her own money to buy a horse.

Shea Porr, superintendent of the MARE Center, presented information regarding the new Virginia Tech Equine Studies program at Middleburg and Equine Science program in Blacksburg. Rebecca Splan, associate professor, explained how the equine program is designed to prepare students to be successful in the horse industry. Splan, an active member of 4-H as a youth, continues to support the efforts of 4-H equine programs across the state.

Four Virginia Tech undergraduate students that are currently in the program, Kelly Barber of Chapel Hill, N.C.; Stephanie Feinberg of Springfield, Va.; Kelsay Johns of Churchville, Md.; and Kaylee Kohlhaas of Strasburg, Va.; shared their equine experiences with attendees.

Two 4-H Ambassadors, Brooke Lampert of Blacksburg, Va., and Zach McCann of Newport, Va., shared their experiences as 4-H members with the crowd. Lampert and McCann explained that to be an Ambassador you must complete two years as a 4-H member, followed by two more years preparing and completing the Ambassador requirements.

Cathy Sutphin, associate director of 4-H Youth Development for Virginia Cooperative Extension, gave an overview of her journey as a 4-Her and shared how being raised on a farm confirmed her love of agriculture and inspired her to further her education in agriculture. Sutphin shared how 4-H made her a more responsible adult and taught her how to care for animals.

To conclude the day, Tim Parmly, animal care technician at MARE Center, gave a hands-on equine dental demonstration. Tim discussed the equipment needed to float a horses teeth and demonstrated the critical management activity. Children had an opportunity to feel a horse's mouth and teeth. Some were a little skittish at first, but it was obvious that some future equine dentists were cultivated in the crowd.

Virginia Tech's Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center's mission is to advance the health and well-being of the horse through undergraduate and graduate education for equine professionals, nutritional and pasture management research, and community educational programs. Located in Middleburg, Va., the center is one of 12 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers located across the state that serves the commonwealth's agricultural needs.