4-H Horse
Beginning in 2026, 4-H exhibition entries for horses and/or 4-H horse exhibitors will no longer be allowed for the Scotts Bluff County Fair.
Light Horse
Each Exhibitor is limited to one entry per class including halter which is 1 halter entry total.
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. A western hat or approved safety helmet must be worn and should stay on during the performance.
To show at fair each horse exhibitor must complete the following requirments 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. 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 by or before the July 1st deadline. It is suggested that the riding examination be done by a Scotts Bluff County horse examiner who has met the current State 4-H horse examiner requirments. 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 fair entry due during the period of July 1 through 10 of the current year.
One horse, if registered in all 4-H family members’ names, may be entered and ridden in the same event but DIFFERENT age categories, except showmanship and halter. Non-family members may carry the same horse as a joint project animal, but a single horse may NOT be entered or ridden in any class by more than one person even though the animal is jointly carried as a project by non-family members.
The patterns for all Age Divisions for Horse exhibitors in the classes of: 1) Reining and 2) Ranch Horse Riding will be posted at 8:00 a.m. 2 days prior to the Scotts Bluff County Fair Horse show date. The patterns will be posted on the Scotts Bluff County Extension Office website page for horse exhibitors to study prior to showing.
Proper care and management of our 4-H project animals is very important. It is highly encouraged that all horses have the vaccinations recommended by their veterinarians.
Only 4-H Horse exhibitors may be on horseback at any time during the Fair Horse Show. Adults riding a 4-H exhibitor’s horse will result in that animal being disqualified from any further competition that day.
Show tack will be voluntarily checked by 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.
If a Handicap youth wants to be a 4-H Horse exhibitor they 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 accommodations 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 in order to show. Their participation should not adversely affect how other participants in the event or activity perform or are evaluated. Each participant’s safety is of the upmost importance when any decisions are made by the Committee members.
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 1 of the current year. Check-in time is 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. Opening Ceremonies will begin at 8 am, promptly followed by Showmanship classes. Top 3 winners who earn a purple and blue ribbon in each age division will come back and compete for overall showman.
Class 1 14 and over
Class 2 11 to 13 years
Class 3 8 to 10 years
Halter Classes
Division 61
Limited to one (1) total Halter entry per exhibitor.
Class 1 Mares – 5 years and under
Class 2 Mares – 6 - 10 years
Class 3 Mares – 11 and over
Class 4 Geldings – 5 years and under
Class 5 Geldings – 6 - 10 years
Class 6 Geldings – 11 and over
Performance Classes
Division 63
There will be a 30-minute break between halter and English classes. Lunch break will be for 45 minutes.
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.
In timed events, all horses must enter and leave the arena under the control of the rider only (except emergencies). They should enter the arena mounted, the horse must be under safe control while in the arena, the rider must dismount and lead horse from the arena.
Trail classes will be begin at 10:00a.m 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.
An open handicapped class will be offered to any handicapped youth 19 and under. Horses must be owned by any family member of the child. Rules will be posted the day of the show.
Classes:
Class 1 Senior Ranch Horse Riding
Class 2 Intermediate Ranch Horse Riding
Class 3 Junior Ranch Horse Riding
Class 4 English Pleasure (all ages)
Class 5 English Equitation (all ages)
Class 6 Senior Western Pleasure
Class 7 Intermediate Western Pleasure
Class 8 Junior Western Pleasure
Class 9 Senior Western Horsemanship
Class 10 Intermediate Western Horsemanship
Class 11 Junior Western Horsemanship
Class 12 Senior Reining
Class 13 Intermediate Reining
Class 14 Junior Reining
Class 15 Senior Pole Bending
Class 16 Intermediate Pole Bending
Class 17 Junior Pole Bending
Class 18 Senior Barrel Racing
Class 19 Intermediate Barrel Racing
Class 20 Junior Barrel Racing
Class 21 Senior Trail Class – 3 minutes
Class 22 Intermediate Trail Class – 3 minutes
Class 23 Junior Trail Class – 3 minutes
Class 24 Handicapped Class
In 2026 three classes wil begin a two year trail (exhibition) period:
Class 25 Hunter Hack (Level III class requirement to enter)
Class 26 Breakaway Roping (Level II class requirement to enter)
Class 27 Goat Tying (Level II class requirement to enter)