Horse Herdsmanship
General Information:
- Exhibitors are expected to do herdsmanship.
- Stalling will take place at trailers. Please be sure to clean up the area around the trailer before leaving. This includes picking up any trash, filling in holes from a horse that might dig or paw at the ground and cleaning up manure.
- Proper courtesy and conduct shall be shown by exhibitors at all times and at all places. This includes recreation areas as well as the show barn/arenas.
- Animals are to be clean at all times with grooming apparent.
- Animals adequately cared for with proper feed and water provided and maintained.
Horse
Superintendents: Merriah Bockmann, Madeline Krolikowski
# of Entries: No limit
Premium: Purple $5; Blue $3.75; Red $2.50; White $1.25
Check-in: Friday, July 24, 7-8 am
Show: Friday, July 24, 8:00 am, Thompson Arena
Horse ID sheets must be turned in to the Extension Office by June 15 (June 1 for State Horse Show).
General Information: Age of horse is computed by calendar year. An exhibit in this class must be a bonafide 4-H light horse project, animal properly identified on a 4-H Identification Certificate by June 15. Stallions are not allowed on the grounds during the Hall County Fair. Events will be run according to "A Guide for 4-H Horse Shows and Events in Nebraska" as published by Nebraska Extension and as amended or revised prior to the date of the show. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to be aware of the contents of this material and to follow the rules. Each exhibitor is limited to housing only the horses shown in the 4-H Division. If the 4-H member is physically able to exhibit their horse, then the 4-H'er is also expected to prepare their horse for all events. Family and/or other exhibitor assistance is welcomed and expected but warm-up riding, etc., by persons other than the exhibitor is NOT allowed at the county show. As a courtesy policy, it will be up to the discretion of the judge/superintendent(s) to determine if a horse is hindering the safety of other horses and 4-H members involved in any show. If safety becomes a concern, the judge and/or superintendent(s) reserve the right to ask that the horse be taken off the grounds.
- Refer to the Judging Guide 4H373 for tack and attire, class procedures and scoring systems for horse classes.
Exceptions to "A Guide for 4-H Horse Shows in NE":
- A single horse can be entered in Light Horse Pleasure and English Pleasure; however, two 4-H members cannot ride the same horse in the same class.
- Clarification - 4-H members enrolled in the Hall County horse project may share a horse. Each member must complete a horse ID sheet, and all members sharing the horse must be listed on each ID sheet. Members sharing a horse cannot ride the same horse in the same class, regardless of age division. (Example: Member A can ride horse X in the Intermediate Western Pleasure class. Member B can ride horse X in the Junior Horsemanship class, but not in the Junior Western Pleasure class.)
- 4-H member must be a Level II (Horsemanship) rider before they can enter 2-year-old snaffle bit class.
- Walk-Trot Rule: If an exhibitor enters a walk/trot class, he/she may also enter speed event classes. However, in the speed class, the horse may not exceed a trot. If the horse breaks into a lope for more than three consecutive strides, the ribbon will be lowered to white.
Dress Code: Western - Shirt /blouse (sleeveless not permitted) must be all white with convertible collars - no vests, sweaters, or turtlenecks. Although short sleeves are permitted, long sleeves are recommended. Weather may alter dress code if announced by show management. Speed and Cattle Divisions - 4-H T-Shirts are acceptable. No ball caps. 4-H arm bands (available at the Extension Office) are worn on the left arm above the elbow and required by all horse exhibitors while in the arena. Failure to wear an armband or contestant number shall constitute improper equipment and dress. The judge is instructed to lower one ribbon placing.
Drug Disclaimer: Random drug testing for all animals showing at the Fair is possible. Notify the Extension Office if your animal is on a prescribed drug. You must verify a doctor/client relationship and show evidence of the prescription. These documents are due to the Extension Office with your fair entries. If your horse is put on a medication after the entry date deadline, you must notify and seek special permission from the Extension Office. If an animal is found to be positive for drug use and does not have justifying paperwork, all premiums, ribbons and/or trophies will be reabsorbed by the Extension Office.
High Point Award (Pending Sponsorship)
- Exhibitor must choose (at time of entry) a maximum of five classes (halter excluded) in addition to showmanship (required) to count toward the high point award.
- Exhibitor must participate in Grand Entry to be eligible for the High Point Award.
- Points are awarded based on ribbon awarded: Purple = 4, Blue = 3, Red = 2, White = 1, Grand = +2, Reserve = +1.
- To receive grand/reserve points, there must be a minimum of two exhibitors in the class and the trophy winner must receive a purple or blue ribbon.
- Points are accumulated on a one horse/one rider combination.
- Showmanship will be used as a tie breaker - highest placing exhibitor will win.
- A 4-H member may win the high point award every other year per age division - Junior 8-11; Intermediate 12-14; Senior 15 & up. (Example: Winning Jr High Point in 2025 will make that 4-H’er ineligible to win Jr High Point in 2026.)
SHOWMANSHIP General Information: Judging is based on preparation of animals for show, their apparent training and the appearance and behavior of the exhibitor. It is the skill of the exhibitor in presenting the animal before the judge that counts, while individual excellence of the animal does not. Exhibitor is required to be in official 4-H dress. Showmanship classes are divided by the exhibitor’s 4-H age (Dec. 31, previous year). Each horse exhibitor is eligible to have only one entry in showmanship.
2023 HORSEMANSHIP Change: The Hall County 4-H Horse Show will divide Horsemanship classes by age division (Junior 8-11; Intermediate 12-14; Senior 15 & up) instead of levels. Level testing will no longer be required in order to show in Horsemanship classes at the Hall County Fair. However, if exhibitors still plan to show Horsemanship at the State 4-H Horse show, level testing will be required; refer to State 4-H Horse rules & regulations.
Horse Classes & Show Order (Tentative)
- English Pleasure (Hunter Under Saddle) Sr. ages 15-18
- English Pleasure (Hunter Under Saddle) Int. ages 12-14
- English Pleasure (Hunter Under Saddle) Jr. ages 8-11
- English Pleasure (Hunter Under Saddle) Walk/Trot, ages 8-9
- English Pleasure (Hunter Under Saddle) Walk/Trot, ages 10-18, 1st year only
- English Equitation (Hunt Seat Equitation) Sr. ages 15-18
- English Equitation (Hunt Seat Equitation) Int. ages 12-14
- English Equitation (Hunt Seat Equitation) Jr. ages 8-11
- English Equitation (Hunt Seat Equitation) Walk/Trot, ages 8-9
- English Equitation (Hunt Seat Equitation) Walk/Trot, ages 10-18, 1st year only
- Fillies, Yearling and 2-Year Olds
- Mares, 3 and 4 Year Olds
- Mares, 5 Years Old and up
- Geldings, Yearling & 2-Year Olds
- Geldings, 3 & 4 Year Olds
- Geldings, 5 Years Old and up
- Showmanship, Sr. ages 15-18
- Showmanship, Int. ages 12-14
- Showmanship, Jr. ages 8-11
- GRAND ENTRY
- Western Pleasure, Sr. ages 15-18
- Western Pleasure, Int. ages 12-14
- Western Pleasure, Jr. ages 8-11
- Western Pleasure Walk/Trot, ages 8-9
- Western Pleasure Walk/Trot, ages 10-18, 1st year only
- Jr. Horse Pleasure (age of horse)
- 2 year old Snaffle Bit
- Horsemanship, Sr. ages 15-18
- Horsemanship, Int. ages 12-14
- Horsemanship, Jr. ages 8-11
- Horsemanship Walk/Trot, ages 8-9
- Horsemanship Walk/Trot, ages 10-18, 1st year only
- Trail Sr. ages 15-18
- Trail Int. ages 12-14
- Trail Jr. ages 8-11
- Trail Walk/Trot, ages 8-9
- Trail Walk/Trot, ages 10-18, 1st year only
- Reining, Sr. ages 15-18
- Reining, Int. ages 12-14
- Reining, Jr. ages 8-11
- Ranch Riding, Sr. ages 15-18
- Ranch Riding, Int. ages 12-14
- Ranch Riding, Jr. ages 8-11
- Working Ranch Horse, Sr. ages 15-18
- Working Ranch Horse, Int. ages 12-14
- Working Ranch Horse, Jr. ages 8-11
- Breakaway Roping, Sr. ages 15-18
- Breakaway Roping, Int. ages 12-14
- Breakaway Roping, Jr. ages 8-11
- Barrel Racing, Sr. ages 15-18
- Barrel Racing, Int. ages 12-14
- Barrel Racing, Jr. ages 8-11
- Pole Bending, Sr. ages 15-18
- Pole Bending, Int. ages 12-14
- Pole Bending, Jr. ages 8-11
- Keyhole, Sr. ages 15-18
- Keyhole, Int. ages 12-14
- Keyhole, Jr. ages 8-11
Horseless Horse
# of Entries: Two
Premium: Purple $3.25; Blue $2.50; Red $1.75; White $1.25
General Information: Exhibit of choice may be a horse photo, drawing, essay, poetry, poster, craft, model horse display, horse clothes or accessories (blankets, saddle pads, etc.) or other. Include a 3 x 5 card that explains the display and what you learned in the project.
Horseless Horse, Division 85 Classes (County only)
4-H age (age Dec. 31, previous year)
- G085-101 - Junior - 4-H age 8-10
- G085-102 - Intermediate - 4-H age 11-13
- G085-103 - Senior - 4-H age 14-18