DEPARTMENT HORSE
Judge: Sarah Vos
Superintendent: Jake Rosentreader
Assistant Superintendent: Shelby Spanel
HORSE SHOW RULES
All horse entries must be entered (I.D.’s checked by superintendent). Check-in times will be announced closer to Fair. Horses are not required to have an official health certificate at check-in time. However, the show superintendent has the authority to have any horse that shows any signs or symptoms of illness to be examined by a veterinarian and possibly dismissed from the fair. Unruly horses can be dismissed from the class at the discretion of the show superintendent and horse committee.
Stalling of horses will be optional. However, if you are planning on stalling your horse(s), you will need to let the Extension Office and the Superintendent know so stalls can be assigned. If stalling,stalls need to be cleaned and chips/manure put in manure bins, NOT left in the alley or premium money will be forfeited.
Custer County 4-H Horse County Rules - 2026
All horses must be listed with the Extension Office by May 29 on the 4-H Horse Identification Form (F 2-97-77). 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. FFA members will need to notify the Extension Office of the classes they are entering and the number of horses they will be bringing for stall assignments. All classes will follow rules in the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show & Judging Guide, 4-H 373, revised in 2025, unless specified by 4-H Council approved county rules. State 4-H horse show rules continue to stand on their own. Following are the county rules:
1. County fair high point award will be tabulated from all county fair horse 4-H show events entered, except halter classes. To receive points for fair high point, placing must be red ribbon or higher.
2. Exhibitors are limited to entering three (3) horses. However, exhibitors are not limited in the number of events entered. (Mare and foal would be one unit of three horses allowed to exhibit. If the mare and foal were shown in separate classes, exhibitor would then be limited to one other horse. Mare and foal may check in on show day and be released the same day.)
3. On roping events, more than one 4-H member in an immediate family will be allowed to use the same properly identified horse.
4. Western riding is a level 2 event.
5. The 4-H Council has required that those participating in Custer County 4-H roping events must successfully pass a roping proficiency check. A group of more than two individuals/roping skills recommended by the horse committee will administer the check which is to assure that participants have adequate roping skills to have a reasonable assurance of safety. Ropers will be required to pass this proficiency check prior to entering any county roping events including the county fair.
6. 4-H member can enter horsemanship and advanced horsemanship, but must designate which class they want premium for.
7. Only mares and geldings may be shown at halter and under saddle (weanling studs permitted at halter).
8. No loose foals will be allowed in the show ring.
9. Goat tying rules: Goat tying is considered a speed event following Nebraska 4-H horse rules. The two second hat rule will apply. Specific goat tying rules as follows:
a. The contestant will use a pigging string of leather, nylon or rope to cross and tie any three legs.
b. The horse cannot touch the rope or the goat at any time until a qualified time is given.
c. The top of the stake will be flush with the ground and the rope is stretched perpendicular to the starting line.
d. The goat must stay tied down for 6 seconds.
e. Once the goat is tied and contestant signals tie, he/she cannot touch goat. Breaking these rules will result in disqualification.
f. Time Limit: Contestant must tie goat within 2 minutes to receive a time.
10. To encourage safe handling of horses, all 4-H members enrolled in the horse project that will be riding will have passed at least Level I (Horse Project Advancement Levels) before July 15 to be eligible to show in the 2026 Custer County Fair. If a 4-H member is only going to show in showmanship or halter at County Fair, then they must pass everything in Level I except the “II. Riding” portion of the skills test by the above date.
- For safety reasons, if a mare is showing, the foal must remain at the trailer or in a stall.
- In order to substitute an unidentified horse for a horse that has been properly identified, an affidavit of unsoundness, sickness, or death signed by a veterinarian, must be submitted to the Horse Committee for approval.
- During halter and showmanship classes, the exhibitor must have control of the horse at all times, and shall not release hold of the lead at any time, except for safety reasons.
- Ropers must complete legal catch within the time limit to receive points either for time or score at the summer shows. At county fair, the horse score will be kept in the event that no one has a legal catch.
- Pre-junior youth exhibitors will not be allowed to show the same horse in walk-trot pleasure or walk-trot horsemanship classes after they have exhibited in a walk, trot, lope pleasure or horsemanship class in any Custer County sponsored 4-H horse show.
- For safety reasons, snaffle bit riders should have passed Level 3 OR be at least 12 years old January 1 that calendar year and have passed Level 1.
- Any formal complaints of rule violations need to be submitted to the horse show superintendent
- A parent may team rope with their child. The horse used by the parent cannot be ridden by the 4-H’er.
- It is requested that any scratches for the Monday events be given to the superintendent by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
FFA members or 4-H horse members who are also FFA members should follow the official 4-H horse rules as stated. FFA Members...Please also refer to the specific FFA rules.
There will be no riding of horses in horse barns, or east beyond barn #1. Exhibitors riding horses should stay clear of entry areas for classes during the shows unless a participant in that event to minimize danger of non-riders being kicked. Riders should also stay clear of the horse office.
To increase safety at the county fair, water balloons, water guns, and water fights will not be allowed in or near the horse show arena or stall areas throughout the duration of the fair. Violators will be asked to leave the grounds and offending contestants may be required to forfeit premium awards. Bicycles will not be allowed in or around the horse barns or show arenas.
USE OF ATV'S, UTV'S, GOLF CARTS & OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES ON THE FAIRGROUNDS: "The private/personal use of ATV'S, UTV'S, GOLF CARTS & OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES on the fairgrounds is prohibited during the fair. Exceptions may be granted by the fairgrounds manager for handicapped persons, law enforcement and emergency services personnel. Authorized users must provide a valid proof of insurance certificate and meet all other NE Department of Motor Vehicles requirements."
The fair board will not allow straw in the horse stalls (fire hazard).
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00
SUNDAY - 4:00 P.M.
SHOWMANSHIP
CLASS G901001 Senior (14 and over before January 1)
CLASS G901002 Junior (11 - 13 before January 1)
CLASS G901003 Pre-Junior (8 - 10 before January 1)
HALTER (Year Born)
CLASS G905002 Yearling Fillies - 2025
CLASS G905002 2 Yr. Old Mares - 2024
CLASS G905002 3 Yr. Old Mares - 2023
CLASS G905005 4 & 5 Yr. Old Mares - 2021 & 2022
CLASS G905006 6 to 10 Yr. Old Mares - 2016 - 2020
CLASS G905007 11 and Over Mares - previous to 2016
CLASS G905009 Yearling Geldings - 2025
CLASS G905009 2 Yr. Old Geldings - 2024
CLASS G905009 3 Yr. Old Geldings - 2023
CLASS G905012 4 & 5 Yr. Old Geldings - 2021 & 2022
CLASS G905013 6 to 10 Yr. Old Geldings - 2016 - 2020
CLASS G905014 11 and Over Geldings - previous to 2016
CLASS G905015 Pony Halter - for ponies 14.2 hands and under
GOAT TYING (Rules for event in above Horse Show Rules)
CLASS G950001 Senior - 14 & over
CLASS G950002 Junior - 11-13
CLASS G950003 Pre-Junior - 8-10
POLES
CLASS G970001 Senior
CLASS G970002 Junior
CLASS G970003 Pre-Junior
BARRELS
CLASS G965001 Senior
CLASS G965002 Junior
CLASS G965003 Pre-Junior
ROPING - (Exhibitors: Please note county rule section for safety test requirement to enter event.) All roping classes are open to both boys and girls.
CLASS G945001 Senior Breakaway Calf Roping - 14 & over
CLASS G945002 Junior Breakaway Calf Roping - 8-13
CLASS G945003 Tie Down Calf Roping - 12 & over
CLASS G945004 Team Roping, Heading
CLASS G945005 Team Roping, Heeling
WORKING RANCH HORSE - 4-H Working Ranch Horse riders must either have 2 people sign-off that the 4-H’er can work cattle safely in a closed environment OR have attended a Working Ranch Horse clinic. There will be a $15 cattle fee payable the day of the show.
CLASS G943001 Senior
CLASS G943002 Junior
CLASS G943003 Pre-Junior
MONDAY - 8:30 A.M.
WESTERN PLEASURE
CLASS G915001 Senior
CLASS G915002 Junior
CLASS G915003 Pre-Junior
CLASS G915004 Pre-Junior Walk Trot
CLASS G915005 Pony Pleasure - for ponies 14.2 hands and under. One class for all ages youth and horses. 4-H members can ride both regular pleasure and pony pleasure with a different horse, but must designate one or the other for high point and premium.
SNAFFLE BIT
CLASS G910001 SNAFFLE BIT - For two- or three-year old horses. A five-minute warm-up allowed.
ADAPTIVE HORSEMANSHIP
CLASS G920005 Adaptive Horsemanship - Any 4-H member with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Academic Plan. If youth plan to ride in other classes they are not eligible for this class. Level testing optional for this class.
RANCH PLEASURE
CLASS G946001 Senior
CLASS G946002 Junior
WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP
CLASS G920001 Senior
CLASS G920002 Junior
CLASS G920003 Pre-Junior
CLASS G920004 Pre-Junior Walk Trot
CLASS G920006 Advanced
RANCH RIDING
CLASS G980001 Senior
CLASS G980002 Junior
CLASS G980003 Pre-Junior
WESTERN RIDING
CLASS G960001 One Class - All Ages. All participants must be level 2.
REINING
CLASS G955001 Senior
CLASS G955002 Junior
CLASS G955003 Pre-Junior
TRAIL
CLASS G940001 Senior
CLASS G940002 Junior
CLASS G940003 Pre-Junior - Modified pattern for safety
ENGLISH PLEASURE
CLASS G925001 One Class - All Ages
ENGLISH EQUITATION
CLASS G930001 One Class - All Ages
HUNTER HACK
CLASS G935001 One Class - All Ages