PROGRAM AREAS

4-H HORSE PROGRAM

4-H member with her horse

The Utah 4-H Horse Program is designed for youth with an interest in horses and horse events. Youth will be provided with experience to help develop leadership, citizenship, self-esteem, social, and horsemanship skills. This program is for youth ages 8 years to 18, as of September 1st. The 4-H Horse Program includes programs for both youth who own/have access to horses and those who do not, but still want to learn about the science of equine care and management. To find information about horse clubs in your area, or to start your own club, contact your County Extension Office.

4-H HORSE JUDGES

STATE HORSE SHOWS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

01
SEP.
BEGINNING OF THE 4-H YEAR
10–11
SEP.


Utah State Fair 4-H Horse Classic

22–25
SEP.


Utah 4-H State Horse Show

14–16
OCT.


Utah State University Horse and Livestock Symposium

05
JAN.


Statewide Horse Smart 4-H Club Meetings Start

07–09
JAN.


Virtual 4-H Contest Invitational

31
JAN.


4-H Scholarship Applications Due

15
FEB.


State 4-H Portfolios Due

04–06
MAR.


American Youth Horse Council Symposium

12–14
MAR.


Utah Paint Horse Club & Utah 4-H Combined Horse Show

26–27
MAR.


4-H Horse Judges' Training and Youth Workshops

12
JUN.


4-H Southern Horse Classic

17
JUN.


State 4-H Eventing Show

18
JUN.


State Horse Ambassador Applications Due




EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

English

 
The Utah 4-H Equine English Program is an excellent avenue for youth to get involved with the basics of English riding. From equitation to hunt seat, riders will learn the proper balance and timing that comes with English riding. Youth also get the opportunity to exhibit what they have learned through county and state horse shows. To learn more about the details of each English event, check out the 4-H Horse Rule Book.

 
General Information

2020 State Hunter Show (Registration is not Open)

  • September 23rd
  • Ogden, UT at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds
  • This event is in conjuction with the Utah 4-H State Western Show. We are excited to give our youth the opportunity to showcase their skills and demonstrate the incredible opportunity the English program is!
  • Events include: Test, Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences, Hunter Hack

2020 State Eventing Show

  • Date and location TBD
  • Open Enrollment (no need to qualify)
  • Test, Dressage, Stadium Jumping, Cross Country


Rules and Bylaws

Contact your local county office for county level bylaws and rules.


Scoresheets

  • Click HERE for USEA materials.


Show Results


2020 Dressage Tests

 

Contact the English Horse Council

President: Kathy Borrett
Vice President: Kim Johnson
Secretary: Linda Price
Technical Adviser: Kelli Munns
Utah 4-H English Horse Programs: Megan Hendrickson

Contact Megan.Rowley@usu.edu for more information regarding the Utah 4-H English Horse Program!

Utah State 4-H Office
County Extension Offices

Western


The Utah 4-H Western Horse Program focuses on teaching youth to work with a project horse throughout the year, and be tested on their equine knowledge. The youth are given the opportunity to show their horses in multiple western disciplines including western horsemanship, showmanship at halter, western pleasure, trail, western riding, and reining. The shows also offer three speed events that may include barrel racing, pole bending, key hole, gymkhana, scurry, and quadrangle. The Western horse program is one of the largest project areas within Utah 4-H.

Want to volunteer and help promote and improve the program? Utah 4-H State Western Horse Council Applications are due September 13th, 2020!

Western Horse Council Applications - Due September 13, 2020
Utah 4-H Horse Council Bylaws

 
General Information


Rules and Bylaws

Rules

Patterns 

  • Access a collection of approved patterns HERE.
  • Horse show management is encouraged to create their own patterns. Pattern requirements are in the rulebook (number of maneuvers, required maneuvers, etc.).

Bylaws


Scoresheets

** Disclaimer: the point breakdowns listed on these sheets are only a resource to help 4-H judges. The final class placings will be at the complete interpretation and discretion of the judge in accordance with the 4-H Horse Rule Book.
*This sheet has been created as a helpful tool to track Speed Events and is not required.


2020 Show Results



Show Result History

2019 Horse Show Results


2018 Horse Show Results

2017 Horse Show Results

2016 Individual Western State Results

2015 2-Handed Western State Results

2015 Individual Western State Results

2014 2-Handed Western State Results

2014 Individual Western State Results


Contact the Western Horse Council

Katie Ovard-Smith
President
kosmuskee@yahoo.com

Terry Jones
1st Vice President
jonesfamily97.cj@gmail.com

Kim Byington
2nd Vice President

kimlbyinton@aol.com

Denilyn Ormond
Horse Council Secretary
deni.ormond@gmail.com

Laura Ogden
Treasurer
laura.ogden@jordandistrict.org

McKenzie Anderson
Judge-at-Large
mckenzieann.anderson@gmail.com

Aurora Quinn
Assistant Judge-at-Large
hollieforever@gmail.com

Jessie Hadfield
State 4-H Horse & Livestock Specialist
jessie.hadfield@usu.edu

Utah State 4-H Office
County Extension Offices

Working Ranch Horse Program


The 4-H Working Ranch Horse Program provides an opportunity for youth to be involved in western horsemanship activities beyond the traditional show ring. Participants learn the age-old techniques of handling livestock while on horseback, as well as the leadership and responsibility that comes with being engaged in 4-H.


Working Ranch Horse Gathering

  • Wed. 9/16 - Western Individual Test will open.
  • Wed. 9/23 at 9:00 am - General Meeting (socially distanced, arena is TBD) and Working Ranch Horse Test (used as a tiebreaker if needed, required to show)
  • Wed. 9/23 at 9:30 am - Reined Cow Horse Patterns start, followed by Sorting/Roping.
  • Wed. 9/23 at approx. 2:00 pm - Roping and Working Ranch Horse Clinic for those interest in learning more ($20 w/horse, $10 w/out). Email Jessie Hadfield to register. 


Events

  • 4-H Working Ranch Horse Show at the State Fair
    • Friday, September 7th 8:30 a.m. at the Utah State Fair
  • Box Elder Working Ranch Horse 4-H Gathering
  • Emery County Working Ranch Horse 4-H Gathering


Important Links

4-H WRH Gathering Rules

Youth Mustang Challenge

Utah 4-H and the Bureau of Land Management have teamed up to offer youth an educational and fundraising opportunity for Utah 4-H Horse Clubs. The purpose of this program is to increase the adoption of Mustangs to good homes and promote positive youth development. 4-H members will be working with yearling mustangs to gentle and train (halter break) them throughout the summer. In September, an Adoption Auction will be held to showcase their mustangs and give them the chance of a good forever home. 

 
4-H Youth and Military Mustang Challenge

Due to these unprecedented times, we have had to cancel the 2020 mustang challenges and events. Keep your eyes open for this challenge to be bigger and better than ever in 2021!

Although we will not be having the challenges, we are planning an exciting Mustang Showcase at the State Fair. Keep your eyes open for more information! 

 

Mustang Challenge 


Social Media

Make sure you like our Facebook page as well as the Utah 4-H TIP Challenges page!

Questions about the Utah 4-H Youth Mustang Project? Contact jessie.hadfield@usu.edu 

Did you know that you can be involved in Utah 4-H Horse Projects without owning and riding horses? Although most horse enthusiasts would prefer to spend time with living and breathing horses 24/7, participating in horseless activities provides opportunities to learn more about horses, network with horsey peers, develop mastery, and enjoy various activities and fun competitions. The horseless activities do not just promote horse education, but youth also develop valuable life skills and become more productive. The horseless horse events, or horse classics, are some of the most popular horse related activities across the nation.

 

Horseless Horse Club

Utah 4-H offers a statewide, virtual, horseless horse club for all horse crazy youth ages 8 to 18. The club is free and includes twice monthly meetings, at least one in-person horse related experience, and the opportunity to develop leadership and learn more about horses. We will be learning from the Utah 4-H Horse Program Study Material and will be going over Volume 2 for our intermediate and senior aged youth! Meetings run from January 5th – April 27th 2021. Sign up for Utah 4-H through https://4h.zsuite.org/ and then fill out this form by January 1st to be added to the club! https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b4nK9mJLXPAp6mN

 

Horseless Horse Resources

Coming Soon!

  • Horse Program Study Material
  • Club Agendas
  • Contact Information



Triple Crown Horse Classics


Have you heard of the Kentucky Derby? The King of all Thoroughbred Races? The Triple Crown is a prestigious award given to a three-year-old Thoroughbred who not only wins the Kentucky Derby, but goes on to win a triplet of prestigious races. The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, and finally the Belmont Stakes. This is so difficult that only 13 horses have ever achieved such an honor, including the spectacular colt, Justify, in 2018!

The purpose of the Triple Crown Series is to increase opportunities for youth to participate in horseless horse events and develop a sense of belonging and mastery.  

The horse classics series are open to all 4-H youth grades 3-12.

The Utah 4-H Horse Classic Series, or Triple Crown, is an opportunity for youth to demonstrate mastery in several horse related events. Youth can try to earn the "Triple Crown" or simply the "High Point" award. More details below!

 
Join us for a Triplet of Horse Classic Contests!

  • June 12, 2021 | Southern Region Horse Classic - Severe County
  • September 10 - 11, 2021 | State Fair Horse Classics - Salt Lake, UT 
  • October 14 - 16, 2021 | Horse and Livestock Symposium 


4-H Horse Classic Event Information

  • The Horse Classic events are an opportunity for all youth enrolled in a 4-H horse project to come together and compet in a friendly atmosphere with other horse-loving youth. 
  • State Contests, held at the Horse and Livestock Symposium, serve as the qualifying contest for senior youth hoping to represent Utah 4-H at Western National Roundup in January. 


Contests 

  • All contests follow the National Contest Rules. Find the National rules here! Utah 4-H Horse Classic specific rules are listed below.
    • 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 and open divisions should study from National Curriculum (mainly Horse Smarts).
    • Team Contests
    • Team OR Individual Contests
      • Hippology - enter as team or individual RULES
      • Horse Judging RULES
      • Horse Demonstrations RULES
    • Individual Contests
      • Horse Public Speaking RULES


Triple Crown and High Point Individual Information

Youth participants can compete for two separate events. The Triple Crown is available to senior aged youth only, and is a prestigious award given to a youth that wins their event at all three Horse Classic events! The High Point Award is given to the participant with the highest culminated points over the three events, and is awarded to the junior, intermediate, and senior with the most points. Details on scoring and rules are below.

These events are scored individually. Even if youth participate as a team, only their individual scores will be counted towards these awards.

Rules and Regulations for the Triple Crown and High Point Awards

Horse Leadership

APPLICATIONS OPEN MAY 15 - JUNE 19

STATE 4-H HORSE AMBASSADORS

Email jessie.hadfield@usu.edu or megan.rowley@usu.edu for more information!

The Ambassadors will fulfill programming needs in the Western, English, Mustang and Working Ranch Horse programs by representing the youth voice to provide input, promote and recruit for these programs, and actively participate in meetings, activities, events and shows. 

  2018-2019 Horse Ambassadors  

Horse Ambassador Responsibilities

  • Attend Ambassador Meetings and Retreats
  • Serve as a representative of all Utah 4-H Horse Programs
  • Promote 4-H Horse Programs
  • Serve as a coordinator for State Horse Events & Activities (State Horse Show Activities, Judge’s Training, Spring Study Camp)
  • Represent the youth voice and give input at program area meetings
  • Chair/Co-Chair horse youth committees
  • The term is one complete year beginning and ending in July.

Horse Ambassador Qualifications

  • Must be in 9th, 10th or 11th grade at the time of application (May 18, 2018)
  • Active member in one or more 4-H Horse Programs and local club
  • Enthusiastic about 4-H
  • Leadership Experience
  • Have time available and willing to occasionally travel to fulfill this role
  • Have parent and/or guardian and County Extension Staff support

Horse Council Delegates

Youth delegates will be chosen to serve on the Utah 4-H Western Horse Council representing their respective counties. The adult and youth delegates will work together as they take an active role in bringing the needs and concerns of their resident county to the attention of the state, as well as promote state opportunities within their circle of influence.

Qualification & Selection Process

Youth-delegates need to be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade on January 1st of 2019, that means that counties can select individuals who have just completed their 8th grade year to represent their peers. Selected 12th graders must be able to commit to completing their term regardless of post-graduation plans. 

Selection process will vary by county.

Horse Delegate Responsibilities

  • Youth delegates will bring a youth perspective to the table and be the voice of their peers during Western Horse Council Meetings. They should do their best to attend all horse council meetings (in person or remotely). If they are unable to attend, they should find a substitute.
  • Youth delegates will also be responsible for providing leadership within their county horse program, assist in facilitating communication, and sharing details pertinent to youth horse members.
  • In addition to their role as a voting member on the horse council, youth delegates are also encouraged to participate as members of horse youth activities committees. These committees will be instrumental to the development of various aspects of the 4-H horse programs, and will work closely with Utah 4-H Horse Ambassadors to put on state-wide events.


2020 Horse Photography Contest Winners: