Utah 4-H Region Contests are hands-on learning events where youth demonstrate their expertise on horse and/or livestock topics in a fun, supportive setting. Knowledge-based competitions inspired by Hippology and Livestock contests, has participants try judging, quiz bowls, public speaking, and interactive knowledge stations.
If you’re searching for an engaging youth livestock or horse experience (without hauling animals), Utah 4-H offers a welcoming way for kids to learn, compete, and build confidence. To make participation easier for families across the state, youth qualify individually at regional contests and can team up with peers from multiple counties, opening the door for more kids to join the fun.
The Regional Skill-a-thon is designed to:
- Standardize the process for forming cross-county teams
- Align closely with existing Utah 4-H Horse and Livestock Skill-a-thon contests
- Maintain fairness, consistency, and educational rigor
- Allow youth to qualify for specific contest areas based on demonstrated strengths
2026 Contest Details
Registration opens Monday, February 9, 2026 and closes March 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
*NOTE: This competition focuses on knowledge-based, intellectual presentations. No live animals allowed.
Spanish Fork Fairgrounds
475 S Main St, Spanish Fork, UT
Friday, March 20: Horse Skill-a-thon
Saturday, March 21: Livestock Skill-a-thon
Millard County Fairgrounds
187 Manzanita Ave, Delta, UT
Friday, March 20: Livestock Skill-a-thon
Saturday, March 21: Horse Skill-a-thon
Rules, Policies, & Other Resources
Qualifying for State Contests
Youth wishing to participate at the Utah 4-H Classics where State Contests are held must qualify in one of two ways:
A) Participate in region contest and qualify to participate on a region team, or
B) Qualify and Participate in a county team with a volunteer coach
*NOTE: Youth wishing to participate in a multi-county team must participate and qualify in a regional contest. No exceptions.
More about Regional Contests
The Utah 4-H Region Contests are a skill-a-thon style event designed to make learning fun for 4-H members. Participants exhibit their knowledge and understanding of animal science and husbandry in a friendly yet competitive setting. The Horse and Livestock Region Contests are modeled after Hippology, Academic Quadrathlon, and Livestock Skill-a-thon contests. The contests incorporate judging, public speaking, quiz bowl, and practical education and knowledge components.
Utah 4-H has a long-standing tradition of providing youth with high-quality competitive learning opportunities that build knowledge, leadership, communication skills, and teamwork. Historically, state-level 4-H contests required youth to compete as complete teams representing a single county. As Utah continues to experience population growth, urbanization, and increased participation in 4-H programs, this structure has made it difficult for some counties to consistently field full teams.
To address this challenge and ensure equitable access to competitive opportunities, Utah 4-H is implementing a Regional Contest Model for Horse and Livestock contests. This model allows youth from multiple counties within a region to qualify individually through a standardized Regional Skill-a-thon and form cross-county regional teams based on performance.
Questions? Contact Jessie Hadfield | jessie.hadfield@usu.edu