4-H Horse Program
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Program Overview- Davis County 4-H Horse Program

The Utah 4-H Horse Program is for those youth with interest in horses and horse-related events. This program is designed to provide experiences to help youth develop leadership, self-esteem, social skills and to become contributing members of society, as well as becoming better horse men and women. The 4-H Horse Program is designed to be educational, activity oriented, and fun for those who become involved.

The 4-H Horse Program is for youth in grades 3-12 and 8-18 years old, as of the beginning of the school year. The Horse Program is one of only a few 4-H Programs that does not include Cloverbud enrollment (younger than 8 years old) in order to provide for the safety and best interests of the participants. Enthusiastic 4-H Volunteers with expertise and interests in horses and working with youth help deliver and manage the program and its objectives.

The 4-H Horse Program includes programs for youth who own/have access to horses and who want to learn about the science of equine care and management. Activities include, but are not limited to, educational and fun club meetings, horse shows, and service projects. Club members hold club offices, give public speeches and demonstrations, do service projects and spend time with their favorite friends, both human and equine.

How to Give

Davis County 4-H Horse Program

Online:
Credit, Debit, PayPal, Venmo or Bank Transfer

Donate

Mail:
Utah State University
Davis County 4-H Horse Program
1590 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-1590

Make checks payable to "Utah State University."

Stock or Wire Transfer:
Contact Michelle Merrill at 435-797-8556 or michelle.merrill@usu.edu for instructions.

The Utah 4-H Horse program is governed by the Utah 4-H Horse Council at the State level which coordinates non-horse programs and contests in: Public Speaking, Demonstrations, Hippology, Horse Bowl and Horse Judging, as well as horse-riding events and horse shows for the English, Western, Two-Handed, Working Ranch Horse, Youth Mustang Challenge programs, and more.

Resources for the Davis County 4-H Horse Program

4-H Horse Portfolio (cover letter and resume) Information

For Davis County, completion of a 4-H Portfolio is mandatory in order to receive year-end awards. Portfolios will be turned into the Extension office in October. To download portfolio pages and learn more about completing a 4-H portfolio please click here.

Rank Advancement


Due to 4-H’s focus on youth development through the unique implementation and use of projects, 4-H continues to thrive as the largest out-of-school educational program in the United States. These ranks are designed as a tool for volunteers and youth to set goals and progress in their chosen project areas.

4-H Horse-less Horse Contest 

  • All County Contests will follow the State 4-H Classics Contest rules as listed below:
    • Hippology - enter as team or individual RULES
    • Horse Judging RULES
    • Horse Demonstrations RULES
    • Horse Public Speaking RULES
    • Juniors and Intermediates will use the new Utah 4-H Horse Program Study Guide Volume I as their resource. Intermediates will also have select questions from the Illustrated Dictionary. Senior aged youth should study from National Curriculum (mainly Horse Smarts).
    • Team Contests
    • Team OR Individual Contests
    • Individual Contests

Important Items to Remember:

  • 4-H Enrollment fees are $10 per youth.  Be sure to register using our new online 4-H enrollment program found at 4h.zsuite.org
  • Western and English style riding boots and helmets are required for all 4-H horse riding events.
    • {Helmets must be approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) and worn with harness fastened properly under the chin.}

Davis County 4-H Horse Program Officers for 2023-2024

Horse Council President: Hailey Russell

Horse Council Vice President: Allison Hansen

Horse Council Vice President: Kathryn Todd

Horse Show Secretary: Laurie Knighton

USU Extension representative over 4-H Horse Program: Lauren Montgomery (phone: 435-919-1339) or email: lauren.montgomery@usu.edu

Youth Ambassadors 2023-2024

  • Alli Hartvigsen
  • Bayli Barber
  • Blake Larsen
  • Elin Connett
  • Eliza Nelson
  • Isabelle Savage
  • Kaizley Gipson
  • Kiley Hartvigsen
  • Lillianna Muir
  • Millie Hansen
  • Payton Marshall
  • Rylie DeGroot
  • Tessa Partridge

Youth Ambassador Advisor: Jade Maxfield

Events Held at Each Western Horse Show 2023-2024

  • Written Test - Required
  • Fitting and Showmanship - Required
  • Western Horsemanship 
  • Trail
  • Barrels (Speed Event)
  • Poles (Speed Event) 
  • Quadrangle (Speed Event)

2024 Davis County 4-H Horse Events 

January 22 - EDU night - all about the demonstration and public speaking contests! (These contests are required to qualify to receive the All-Around award at the Year-End Banquet)
February 12 – EDU night
February 24 – Demonstration & Public Speaking County Contest - Registration closes February 7th
March 11 – EDU night
May 6 – Opening Social - All welcome to come and kick-off the summer with a fun night planned by the county horse ambassadors
May 13 – Novice Horse Show @Davis Agricultural Heritage Center - for all new (1st-2nd year) riders to come and practice what a county show is like. 
May 31 – County Horse Show #1, @ Davis Agricultural Heritage Center
June 7 - County Horse Show #2, @ Davis Agricultural Heritage Center
June 21 – County Horse Show #3, @ Davis Agricultural Heritage Center
July 11 or 12 - County Horse Show #4, @ Davis Agricultural Heritage Center
July 22 - Region Horse Show, @ Davis Agricultural Heritage Center, must qualify
August 9 - County Horse Show #5, @ Davis Agricultural Heritage Center

Questions Regarding 4-H Horse Programs? Contact: 

Staff photo



Lauren Montgomery 

435-919-1339 | lauren.montgomery@usu.edu