4-H Horse
In 2026, each Horse Exhibitor must complete the following requirements by the July 1st deadline to be eligible to show at the Scotts Bluff County 4‑H Fair Horse Show: a) Give an approved demonstration to their 4‑H club leader and/or Extension staff member and b) Pass the Level 1 certification tests (both the written and the riding test). These requirements must be passed and registered at the Scotts Bluff County Extension Office on or before the July 1 deadline. The riding examination must be conducted by a Scotts Bluff County horse examiner who has met the current Nebraska State 4‑H horse examiner’s requirements.
Any 4‑H Horse Exhibitors who miss the required paperwork deadlines (meaning BOTH horses and exhibitors) will NOT be eligible to show at the Scotts Bluff County 4‑H Horse Show. Deadlines include February 1st 4‑H enrollment, June 1st Horse ID sheets (including attached current horse photos: front, back, right side, and left side), 4‑H County Fair entry conducted during the period of July 1st to the 10th of the current year.
In 2026 three new classes will be offered, beginning a two-year trial period. No awards will be distributed during the trial period making these exhibition classes. To compete in Exhibition Breakaway and/or Goat Tying, 4‑H members must be Level II by July 1st to enter. To compete in Exhibition Hunter Hack, 4‑H members must be Level III by July 1st to enter.
Light Horse
Under Nebraska Law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to sections 25-21,249 to 25-21,253.
Each 4-H Exhibitor is limited to one entry per class including halter. A horse, if registered in all 4‑H family members’ names, may be entered and ridden in the same event but DIFFERENT age division except showmanship and halter.
Only 4‑H Horse Exhibitors may be on horseback at any time during the Fair Horse Show. Adults or other family members riding a 4‑H Exhibitor’s horse will result in the horse being disqualified from any further competition.
The patterns for all Age Divisions for Horse exhibitors in the classes of 1) Reining and 2) Ranch Horse Riding and 3) Trail and 4) Exhibition Hunter Hack will be posted at 8:00am two days prior to the Scotts Bluff County Fair Horse show day. The patterns will be posted on the Scotts Bluff County Extension Office website page.
Proper care and management of our 4‑H project animals is very important. It is highly encouraged that all horses have current vaccinations recommended by their veterinarians.
Show tack will be voluntarily checked by Horse Show Committee members; however, it is still the 4‑H member’s responsibility to know the Nebraska 4‑H Horse Rules for legal tack equipment. Horse exhibitors will be excused for illegal tack as stated in the Nebraska Horse 4‑H Rule Book. Proper Western attire, including a western hat or helmet, is required while in the show arena. Please refer to the Nebraska Horse 4-H Rule Book if you have any concerns. The Judges decision is final.
4-H Extension along with the Horse Show Committee reserves the right to change the show format and class ordering for safety and time. NOTE: Depending on the number of entries received by July 10th Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping (and possibly Poles and Barrels) may be held Friday the day prior to the Fair Horse Show. All competitors will be notified as soon as possible if this change is required. Horse ID and Check-in will be conducted on-site for those competitors.
Horse Showmanship Division 60
Each showman must show his/her own animal and will enter the class corresponding to their age. The judge has the right to ask the showman to exhibit abilities to fit the animal for showing. Ages are as of January 1st of the current year. Check-in time is from 7:00am to 8:00am on Saturday. Opening Ceremonies will begin at 8am, promptly followed by Showmanship classes. Top three winners who earn a purple and blue ribbon in each age division will come back and compete for overall showman.
Class 1 Showmanship 14 and over - Senior
Class 2 Showmanship 11 to 13 years - Intermediate
Class 3 Showmanship 8 to 10 years - Junior
Halter Classes Division 61
Limited to one total Halter entry per 4-H Exhibitor.
Class 1 Mares – 5 years and under
Class 2 Mares – 6 to 10 years
Class 3 Mares – 11 and over
Class 4 Geldings – 5 years and under
Class 5 Geldings – 6 to 10 years
Class 6 Geldings – 11 and over
There will be a break between Halter and English classes to allow for tack and clothing changes. English riders: A 20-minute break will be given to English exhibitors after all English classes are complete. This 20-minute break may be included in the 45-minute lunch break.
Lunch break will be for 45 minutes.
Trail classes will be open at 10:00am and close at 1:00pm. Exhibitors are NOT allowed to practice in the trail class before showing. Violation will result in disqualification in the trail class. Ranch Riding will take place in the West Area from 1:30pm to 3:00pm.
English Classes Division 62
Class 1 English Pleasure (all ages)
Class 2 English Equitation (all ages)
Class 3 Exhibition Hunter Hack (all ages)
Western Classes Division 63
Handicap youth 4‑H Horse exhibitor will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Special considerations may be granted by the horse show Committee members on this case-by-case basis depending on the youth’s disabilities in relationship to any accommodation needed. Youth with disabilities will be judged using the same criteria as for other participants. Handicap youth must also pass the Level 1 testing requirements prior to entering the show. Each participant’s safety is of the upmost importance when any decisions are made by the Committee members.
Class 1 Senior Western Pleasure
Class 2 Intermediate Western Pleasure
Class 3 Junior Western Pleasure
Class 4 Senior Western Horsemanship
Class 5 Intermediate Western Horsemanship
Class 6 Junior Western Horsemanship
Class 7 Senior Trail Class – 3 minutes
Class 8 Intermediate Trail Class – 3 minutes
Class 9 Junior Trail Class – 3 minutes
Class 10 Handicapped Trail Class (all ages)
Performance Classes Division 64
Class 1 Senior Ranch Horse Riding
Class 2 Intermediate Ranch Horse Riding
Class 3 Junior Ranch Horse Riding
Class 4 Senior Reining
Class 5 Intermediate Reining
Class 6 Junior Reining
Class 7 Exhibition Breakaway Roping (all Ages) – breakaway will be the last class of the day unless announced differently
Sport Horse Classes Division 65
In timed events, all horses must enter and leave the arena under the control of the rider.
4-H Exhibitor should enter the arena mounted, the horse must be under safe control while in the arena. The 4-H Exhibitor may not start the run before the gate is safely closed and the 4-H Exhibitor must dismount and lead horse from the arena.
Class 1 Senior Pole Bending
Class 2 Intermediate Pole Bending
Class 3 Junior Pole Bending
Class 4 Senior Barrel Racing
Class 5 Intermediate Barrel Racing
Class 6 Junior Barrel Racing
Class 7 Exhibition Goat Tying (all ages)