Horse

DEPARTMENT HORSE

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

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

  • ALL 4-Her’s 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 prior to 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 61-68) 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, 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 non-4-Her’s 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 a 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-Her 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. 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. Shear, 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.
  • 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.

DIVISION 59 - HALTER

G059001. WEANLING FILLIES 

G059002. YEARLING FILLIES 

G059003. 2 YEAR OLD MARES 

G059004. 3 YEAR OLD MARES 

G059005. 4-5 YEAR OLD MARES 

G059006. 6 YEAR & OLDER MARES 

G059007. WEANLING COLTS 

G059008. YEARLING GELDINGS 

G059009. 2 YEAR OLD GELDINGS 

G059010. 3 YEAR OLD GELDINGS 

G059011. 4-5 YEAR OLD GELDINGS

G059012. 6 YEAR & OLDER GELDINGS

  • 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 60 - 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.

G060001. SHOWMANSHIP (15-18 years) 

G060002. SHOWMANSHIP (12-14 years) 

G060003. SHOWMANSHIP (8-11 years)

DIVISION 61 - WALK/TROT

G061001. WALK-TROT WESTERN PLEASURE 

G061002. WALK-TROT HORSEMANSHIP 

G061003. WALK-TROT TRAIL

G610004 WALK-TROT ENGLISH PLEASURE

DIVISION 62 - ENGLISH PLEASURE

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

G062001. ENGLISH PLEASURE

DIVISION 63 - WESTERN PLEASURE, 14 HANDS & UNDER

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

G063001. PLEASURE PONIES

DIVISION 63 - WESTERN PLEASURE, OVER 14 HANDS

G063005. PLEASURE - SENIOR (15-18 years) 

G063006. PLEASURE - INTERMEDIATE (12-14 years) 

G063007. PLEASURE - JUNIOR (8-11 years)

DIVISION 63 - RANCH PLEASURE

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

G063008 RANCH PLEASURE

DIVISION 64 - ENGLISH EQUITATION

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

G064001. ENGLISH EQUITATION

DIVISION 65 - WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP

G065001. HORSEMANSHIP - SENIOR (15-18 years) 

G065002. HORSEMANSHIP - INTERMEDIATE (12-14 years) 

G065003. HORSEMANSHIP - JUNIOR (8-11 years)

DIVISION 65 - RANCH RIDING

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

G065004 RANCH RIDING

DIVISION 66 - REINING

G066001. REINING - SENIOR (15-18 years)

G066002. REINING - INTERMEDIATE (12-14 years) 

G066003. REINING - JUNIOR (8-11 years)

DIVISION 67 - POLE BENDING

G067001. POLE BENDING - SENIOR (15-18 years) 

G067002. POLE BENDING - INTERMEDIATE (12-14 years) 

G067003. POLE BENDING - JUNIOR (8-11 years)

DIVISION 68 - BARREL RACING

G068001. BARREL RACING - SENIOR (15-18 years) 

G068002. BARREL RACING - INTERMEDIATE (12-14 years) 

G068003. BARREL RACING - JUNIOR (8-11 years)

DIVISION 69 - TRAIL

G069001. TRAIL CLASS - SENIOR (15-18 years) 

G069002. TRAIL CLASS - INTERMEDIATE (12-14 years) 

G069003. TRAIL CLASS - JUNIOR (8-11 years)

DIVISION 70 - WORKING RANCH HORSE

G070001. WORKING RANCH HORSE - Senior (15-18 Years) 

G070002. WORKING RANCH HORSE - Intermediate (12-14 Years) 

G070003. WORKING RANCH HORSE - Junior (8-11 Years)

G070004. WORKING RANCH HORSE TEAM - (8-18 Years) This is a two-person team, drawn randomly. The two exhibitors will act as a team to navigate the course.

Nance County Exhibitor Guide