When Dresden Green talks horses, the excitement in her voice is a good indication as to why the Charles Henderson High School sophomore is the 2009 Alabama 4-H Equine Science Achievement Award winner.

“A portion of the selection process is an interview with the judges,” said Tammy Powell, Pike County Extension coordinator. “Dresden loves what she does and it shows. I’m sure that she did extremely well in her interview and, too, she has kept outstanding records of all that she has done with her equine project over the years. She is very deserving of this award and this recognition.”

Powell said the application process for the 4-H Equine Science Achievement Award is a long and tedious one.

“The award is based on years of record keeping that bring the project together, ” she said. “It’s a long documentation process and then a rather lengthy and involved interview.”

Although making application for the state award was time consuming and a reason for butterflies, Green said all of the effort was worthwhile.

“The award means a great deal to me because it’s an opportunity that could help me get into the veterinarian equine school at Auburn,” she said. “I’ve been invited to attend a veterinarian clinic at Auburn in July and I’ve been asked to take the ACT and get my scores sent to Auburn.”

Green’s 4-H equine project is more than just a project. It’s what she does and what she loves and it also directs her career path.

Green shows Tennessee Walking horses and is the proud owner of a most unusual Tennessee Walker.

“Letohatchee’s Clearwater is a solid white stallion with two blue eyes,” Green said. “Horses usually have brown eyes. But there’s the certain gene that some horses have that gives them blue eyes. And, it’s even more unusual to get a solid white Tennessee Walking Horse.”

Green has two other Tennessee Walking horses but both of them have been retired from the ring.

“Miss Magic Power is 20 years old and she has arthritis so she had to be retired,” Green said. “She was included in my 4-H equine project. I told how I took care of her when she had an infected foot and again when she had rain rot, which is a skin fungus.”

Green also cared for Letohatchee when his throat became clogged and the vet had to clear his throat by inserting a tube.

“Now I mix mineral oil with his feed so his throat won’t get clogged,” she said.

Green’s paint horse, Papa Law’s King is about 14 years old and also has arthritis and is retired.

“Letohatchee is just five years old so, hopefully, I’ll be able to show him for a long time,” she said. “I show in the halter class. That’s when your horse is judged on how it behaves and its composition. I also compete in speed, open, junior and pleasuring racking. Speed racking is my favorite because when they open the gate it’s like a stampede.”

Letohatchee was a16th birthday gift to Green from Jimmy Baker.

Green has won a “ton” of ribbons with Letohatchee but the thing that made her most proud is that Letohatchee beat Baker’s horse, which is a half-brother to him, in a speed event.

“My goal was for my horse to beat Mr. Jimmy’s,” Green said. “I love horses and that’s why my 4-H project was so important to me and why this award is, too.”