General Rules – Horse Show
- Number of Entries per Exhibitor – Each exhibitor will be limited to the use of two horses in the show. This includes halter classes. Only one horse per class per contestant. A family project horse may not be entered twice in the same event.
- Identification and Pre-Entry – All horses and ponies must be project animals and identified on 4-H Horse Identification Certificates (F 2-97-77) by a sketch or photo and the Pre-Entry/ID form due at the Extension Office by June 15.
- Health Requirements – See General Animal Requirements.. A vet check is not required for county fair.
- Showmanship – See General Animal Showmanship Rules. Also see Round Robin Rules.
- Dress Code – See General Livestock Rules and Regulations.
- Age Divisions – There will be a junior and senior division in classes designated excluding showmanship. 4-H members 12 years of age and over as of January 1 of the present year will be in the senior division. 4-H members 8-11 years of age as of January 1 of the present year will be in the junior division. Refer to GENERAL ANIMAL SHOWMANSHIP RULES for Showmanship class age divisions.
- Grooming Rules – See General Livestock Rules and Regulations.
- Each exhibitor must stall at least one horse, unless there is not enough room. In that case, the superintendent could allow some 4-H members to take their horse’s home. An Animal Dismissal Form must be completed for each animal that is removed before release time.
- Under Nebraska law – An equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from inherent risks of equine activities pursuant to sections 25-21, 249 to 25-21, 253 N.R.S.
- Patterns for reining, showmanship, horsemanship, etc. will be posted.
- 4-H 373, Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide will be followed in conducting county level 4-H horse shows. Guide available upon request for purchase at the Extension Office.
- 4-H Speed Events – 4-H 373, Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide lists penalties for Speed Classes. Contestants who are disqualified will receive white ribbons. A two-second penalty will be assessed for each pole or barrel knocked down. Riders must dismount before leaving arena. Hats are not necessary; however, a 2-second penalty will be assessed for hats lost during the run.
- All Around Contest – only points they accumulate on a one horse-one rider combination. They can show up to 2 horses, in multiple classes, but only the horse they specify on the entry form gets points. If a substitute horse is used, it can be eligible for high point as long as it is on the ID form by the due date and the superintendents are notified by the start of the show. Late entries will not be eligible for the all around contest. Points 4 for a purple, 3 for a blue, 2 for red, 1 for white, 2 extra for champion of an event, 1 more for reserve in an event, high score wins in each of the two age divisions.
Horse Showmanship
G260010 Senior Division – 14 years and older
G260020 Intermediate Division – 11 to 13 years
G260030 Junior Division – 8 to 10 years
Halter Classes
G261001 Halter, Pony, 48 inches and under
G261002 Halter, Mares
G261003 Halter, Geldings
Performance/Pleasure Classes
Walk Trot Pleasure
4-H members with 2 years or less enrollment in the Horse project. Rider not eligible for any other pleasures class. Any 4-H’er participating in Walk Trot will not be eligible for any Class in the following division of Western Pleasure.
G262001 Walk Trot
Western Pleasure
G263004 Western Pleasure, 14 hands and over – Senior (12 years and older)
G263005 Western Pleasure, 14 hands and over – Junior (8 to 11 years of age)
Horsemanship
G263006 Western Horsemanship – Senior (12 years and older)
G263007 Western Horsemanship – Junior (8 to 11 years of age)
Reining
Patterns will be announced at the start of the event. Patterns and rules in 4-H 373.
G263008 Reining – Senior (12 years and older)
G263009 Reining – Junior (8 to 11 years of age)
Trail Horse
G263010 Trail Horse – Senior (12 years and older)
G263011 Trail Horse – Junior (8 to 11 years of age)
Speed Classes
Barrel Racing
G264001 Barrel Racing – Senior (12 years and older)
G264002 Barrel Racing – Junior (8 to 11 years of age)
Pole Bending
G264003 Pole Bending – Senior (12 years and older)
G264004 Pole Bending – Junior (8 to 11 years of age