HORSE
(The Horse Show in 2025 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, 2025.
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, Eastern 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.