April Reese
University of Georgia
A 4-H'er from Newnan, Ga., Miolen needs your vote to win the IVERCARE Because You Care Award. This award is presented annually to one American who cares the most for horses.
Miolen, 16, was nominated for her work with abused and neglected horses. She's competing against four adults for the $2,500 cash prize given to the person voted to have most improved the health and welfare of horses.
"Horses are my life," Miolen said. "They have taught me so much."
Miolen nurses mistreated horses back to health and teaches them to trust humans again. While many teenagers spend their free time playing video games or being friends, Miolen spends time daily caring for horses.
On-line ballot
The award selection is based on an on-line ballot system. To vote for Miolen, go to www.ivercare.com before Sept. 30.Why should you?
She's pretty special.
Miolen encourages others her age to ride by lending them horses for shows, parades and clinics. She often gives free riding lessons to fellow 4-H'ers.
She raised $560 for the Georgia Equine Rescue League and Foal League by holding a yard sale and offering pony rides. She also auctioned a two-hour trail ride to benefit the 4-H Volunteer Leader Association and raised $120.
Pepper
Her love of horse started four years ago with an Appaloosa mare named Pepper, a rescue horse Miolen took in because no one else wanted her. After many miles of trails and a broken shoulder for Miolen, they are now showing in competitions and doing well. Pepper is one of several horses now in Miolen's care."In March 2001, we bought a pony mare, Maggie, whose bottom lip was hanging loose and was badly scarred," she said. "It looked like a wire had been wrapped around her chin and lip. She was skinny but had a large middle we thought was a hay belly."
Miolen soon discovered Maggie's "hay belly" was actually a colt. Maggie is doing well now and shows with the local drill team.
State 4-H winner
This summer, Miolen won the State 4-H Congress horse project, demonstrating foal imprinting with the same technique she used with Maggie's colt.Besides her work with individual horses, Miolen is teaching a workshop on parasites in September. She was a 4-H teen leader at a horse school in Perry, Ga., this summer. And she competed in the State 4-H Horse Show in running events, hunter over fences and placed ninth in dressage.
She reported three neglect cases, conducted a benefit for GERL, helped conduct a show for mentally and physically challenged riders, teaches Pony Trials Club, set up horse safety booths at two community events and helps beginning riders with horse health and training problems.
County winner
Miolen won the county versatility contest and represented Georgia 4-H at the State Horse Fair, placing fifth. President of the Coweta County 4-H Horse and Pony Club, she rides with the club drill team and competes in quiz bowl and horse judging events. She won second place on the senior horse judging team and represented Georgia at the regional competition in August.As one of five IVERCARE finalists, Miolen will be featured in the September issue of "Horse Illustrated" and the September-October issue of "Young Rider."
The daughter of James and Pat Miolen of Newnan, she plans to try out for the University of Georgia Equestrian Team after high school.
"I've just gotten a new mare named Gloria in shape for the pony club," she says with pride. "She was skinny, wormy and had long hooves when I got her. I'm trying to find a place for her now where she will be safe and cared for."
(April Reese is a student writer with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)
