Horse

HORSE

(The Horse Show in 2026 will combine 4-H exhibitors from Boone & Nance Counties vying for awards)

  • ALL 4-H members must complete Level 1 testing after 2 years in the horse project. Exhibitors must comply with this requirement by June 1, 2026.
  • Each horse must be owned and/or managed according to 4-H 458 and must have been identified by May 15 and the Horse Identification Affidavit on record at the Extension Office.
  • The 4-H Horse Show will follow the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show & Judging Guide, 4-H 373.
  • An exhibitor may enter only two halter classes and four performance classes (Divisions 63-72) in which they will receive premiums.
  • Additional classes may be entered but premiums will be paid on only six classes. The six classes for which premiums are paid must be two halter and four performance - no other combination.
  • Multiple Pleasure Classes - An exhibitor may enter as many classes as eligible with horses. English, Ranch, Western and Pony with a different horse that’s under 14.2 hands.
  • Only mares and geldings may be exhibited.
  • Members of the same family may share a horse. A horse may only be exhibited once in each Division Age Class. If multiple youth family members are in an age group, they will have to choose who gets to show that horse in each class.
  • All horses should be current on all vaccinations as directed by their veterinarian.
  • All horses will be exercised in designated areas only and going to and from the exercise area and water tank by directed route only.
  • No premium paid unless the family stalls a horse for Monday through Wednesday of the fair. Stalling is optional for Saturday and Sunday.
  • No non-4-H members allowed to ride any horse around arena on show day (older or younger or non-member). Violators will be requested to leave grounds.
  • Only current 4-H horse members, immediate family and horse project leader may handle project horses at fair. Violators will be requested to leave grounds.
  • All safety precautions should be taken.
  • Upon infraction of rules, the exhibitor may be sent home and premiums forfeited.
  • Working Ranch Horse: Member must be enrolled in 4-H Horse project and wear 4-H Horse Show attire. Must enroll by fair entry deadline. Possible stock fee ($15 to $20) will be charged.
  • Walk/Trot Classes: A 4-H member is eligible only in first 2 years that they are enrolled in horse project, regardless of age. Once an exhibitor completes a lope class, they can’t enter a walk/trot class. Classes eligible: Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail. Walk/Trot members can also show any eligible Halter and Showmanship Class. They may not show in any other riding class (barrels, poles, reining, English, etc.)

ATTIRE

  • A western hat must be worn and should stay on during the performance. Hats are optional only in barrel racing and pole bending. Hat must stay on in barrel racing and pole bending if rider enters the arena wearing hat (two-second fine for losing hat). In Level II Speed Events, if hats are not worn, a plain white or green headband may be worn for rider’s hair control if band is 3 inches or less in width. Feathers, if present, may not protrude beyond the outer edge of the brim nor above the top of the crown.
  • Shirts and blouses must be all white, including buttons, thread, etc., with convertible collars (one that is meant to be folded at the seamline and may or may not be buttoned at the base of neck). Tuxedo, turtleneck or other stand-up collars are not permitted. No national, county or club emblems, medals, etc., at county, district or state shows. Sleeveless shirts or blouses are not permitted. Sheer, see-through blouses are inappropriate and not permitted.
  • Decisions will be at the discretion of show management. Long sleeves are recommended, although short sleeves are permitted. Rain or cold weather may alter dress code when approved by show management and the judge.
  • Dark blue jeans must be worn and a belt is recommended. Heavy contrasting threading and fringes are not permitted.
  • Color of hat, gloves, boots, chaps, etc., is optional.
  • Hard-soled shoes or cowboy boots are considered safe and appropriate. Boots with waffle-type tread greater than or equal to 1/8” will not be allowed in riding classes.
  • A 4-H arm band is required. Arm band is to be worn on the left arm above the elbow. Available at the Extension Office.
  • Optional: Protective head gear. Chaps in Reining, Western Riding and Trail. Gloves in any class.
  • Prohibited: Ball caps or hats other than western. Medals, emblems, large feathers, etc., on hats. Tuxedo, turtleneck or other stand-up collars. Chaps in Pleasure, Horsemanship, Halter and Showmanship classes. Spurs are not to be worn in Showmanship & Halter classes.

PREMIUMS: Purple-$5.00; Blue-$3.00; Red-$2.00; White-$1.00

DIVISION 59 - ENGLISH PLEASURE

  • English Pleasure - Senior, Intermediate, and Junior participants will show in the same class.

G059001          ENGLISH PLEASURE

DIVISION 60 - ENGLISH EQUITATION

  • English Equitation - Senior, Intermediate, and Junior participants will show in the same class.

G060001          ENGLISH EQUITATION

DIVISION 61 - HALTER

G061001          WEANLING FILLIES 

G061002          YEARLING FILLIES 

G061003          2 YEAR OLD MARES 

G061004          3 YEAR OLD MARES 

G061005          4-5 YEAR OLD MARES 

G061006          6 YEAR & OLDER MARES

G061007          WEANLING COLTS 

G061008          YEARLING GELDINGS 

G061009          2 YEAR OLD GELDINGS 

G061010          3 YEAR OLD GELDINGS 

G061011          4-5 YEAR OLD GELDINGS

G061012          6 YEAR & OLDER GELDINGS

G061013          PONY MARES, 14 HANDS & UNDER

G061014          PONY GELDINGS, 14 HANDS & UNDER

  • Performance Classes - Participant show order will be seniors, intermediate, and juniors. Minimum of three participants to hold a class or they will be combined.

DIVISION 62 – SHOWMANSHIP

  • Each exhibitor can show only in one division for each SPECIES of livestock. An animal can be shown only once in a showmanship class.
  • If an exhibitor is champion showman in a respective division twice, he/she automatically moves up to the next age group. Senior participants are not limited to number of championships.

G062001          SHOWMANSHIP - SENIOR (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G062002          SHOWMANSHIP - INTERMEDIATE (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G062003          SHOWMANSHIP - JUNIOR (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

DIVISION 63 - WALK/TROT

  • Walk/Trot Classes - A 4-H member is eligible only in first 2 years that they are enrolled in horse project, regardless of age. Once an exhibitor completes a lope class, they can’t enter a walk/trot class. Classes eligible: Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, English Pleasure. Walk/Trot members can also show any eligible Halter and Showmanship Class. They may not show in any other riding class (barrels, poles, reining, English, etc.)

G063001          WALK-TROT WESTERN PLEASURE 

G063002          WALK-TROT HORSEMANSHIP 

G063003          WALK-TROT TRAIL

G063004          WALK-TROT ENGLISH PLEASURE

DIVISION 64 - WESTERN PLEASURE, 14 HANDS & UNDER

  • Pony Pleasure - ALL participants will show in the same class, no separate classes.

G064001          PLEASURE PONIES

DIVISION 65 - WESTERN PLEASURE, OVER 14 HANDS

G065002          PLEASURE - SENIOR (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G065003          PLEASURE - INTERMEDIATE (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G065004          PLEASURE - JUNIOR (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

DIVISION 66 - WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP

G066001          HORSEMANSHIP - SENIOR (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G066002          HORSEMANSHIP - INTERMEDIATE (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G066003          HORSEMANSHIP - JUNIOR (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

DIVISION 67 - RANCH PLEASURE

  • Ranch Pleasure - Senior, Intermediate, and Junior participants will show in the same class.

G067001          RANCH PLEASURE

DIVISION 68 - RANCH RIDING

  • Ranch Riding - Senior, Intermediate, and Junior participants will show in the same class.

G068001          RANCH RIDING

DIVISION 69 – REINING

G069001          REINING - SENIOR (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G069002          REINING - INTERMEDIATE (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G069003          REINING - JUNIOR (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

DIVISION 70 – TRAIL

G070001          TRAIL CLASS - SENIOR (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G070002          TRAIL CLASS - INTERMEDIATE (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G070003          TRAIL CLASS - JUNIOR (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

DIVISION 71 - BARREL RACING

G071001          BARREL RACING - SENIOR (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G071002          BARREL RACING - INTERMEDIATE (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G071003          BARREL RACING - JUNIOR (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

DIVISION 72 - POLE BENDING

G072001          POLE BENDING - SENIOR (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G072002          POLE BENDING - INTERMEDIATE (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G072003          POLE BENDING - JUNIOR (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

DIVISION 73 - WORKING RANCH HORSE

  • There is a $20.00 stock fee payable at entry time.

G073001          WORKING RANCH HORSE - Senior (Ages 15-18 before January 1 of current year) 

G073002          WORKING RANCH HORSE - Intermediate (Ages 12-14 before January 1 of current year) 

G073003          WORKING RANCH HORSE - Junior (Ages 8-11 before January 1 of current year)

G073004          WORKING RANCH HORSE TEAM - (Ages 8-18 before January 1 of current year) This is a two-person team drawn randomly. The two exhibitors will act as a team to navigate the course.
 

Boone County Premium List 2026