4-H HORSE SHOW
NOTE: Please review the Current Colorado 4-H Horse Show Rulebook carefully! All rules apply unless stated differently by Park County Horse Council. The following rules and regulations apply to the Park County Horse program.
GENERAL RULES AND REQUIREMENTS
1. The 4-H member is responsible for knowing the specific rules of the show in which he or she has entered. The rules of this book apply to the Park County 4-H Horse Program.
2. Park County 4-H Horse Project members are to be 8 years of age and not yet 19 years old as of January 1 of the current year.
3. Horses do not have to be breed registered to enter the 4H Horse Show. However the show is limited to 4-H horse projects from Park County whose ownership form, together with a full profile and face picture, are on file at the Park County Extension Office by June 1st.
4. The 4-H member should have complete access to the project horse(s) at any time, and must provide care and management a majority (51%) of the time, whether the horse is owned or leased. (Lease forms are available at your county extension office or through the Extension Horse Specialists’ office) Lease forms must detail how the member shall be responsible for the care of the horse being leased. A 4-H project horse may be boarded at a commercial facility. No horse that is short-term rent, or one day rented may be used for a 4-H horse project horse, whether it be used for riding, instruction, or for showing. If two members of the family use the same horse, care must be on a 50-50 basis. No horse may be used twice in one class, whether the members are related or not.
5. All horses entered in any division must completely be included in the exhibitors Horse Project Record Book (expenses and care) and declared as a project horse as of June 1 of the current year. No substitution of horses shall be permitted under any circumstances unless the substitute horse meets the project requirements, which means substitute horses will be declared and in the record book.
6. The Equine a 4-H club member intends to use as a project animal must be declared by June 1 of the current year.
A. A declaration and the front Identification certificate page of your record book must be on file with your county extension office. Substitute horses must also have declaration forms and ID certificates on file.
B. All horses entering into the Park County and/or State 4-H Horse Show must be declared as a project horse by June 1. Horse hardship substitutions (except in the case of death) at the Park County and State 4H Horse Show can only be a project horse identified by June 1.
C. A horse may be shown by siblings if they show or are entered in different age divisions or classifications at the option of show management or specific county rules. No horse can be used by two people in one class.
7. In the case of death of an animal, the 4-H member would be required to file a hardship case with the Park County Horse Council and the Park County Extension Office no later than 7 Days prior to the show and the replacement horse must have been declared on the June 1st declaration form. Hardship letters must include:
A. Veterinary statement of death from a Horse Council approved Veterinarian.
B. Horse Council Member recommendation (may also verify a death and waive veterinary statement).
C. If a lease is applicable, Leases are available from the 4H office and must be completed.
D. A letter from the 4H member stating the circumstances leading up to the hardship.
E. The Park County Horse Council shall accept or reject the hardship case based on information presented. If replacement of a horse is required, the 4-H member must continue the record book with the new horse.
8. The member must keep a 4-H Record Book on their declared horse(s), attend the required 4-H club meetings, active in community service projects, help with club fundraisers, participate in club practice rides and actively participate in the local club program.
9. There shall be a limit of three (3) horses declared by the 4H member. Example: (1) Gymkhana/Working Ranch Horse, (1) Western Pleasure, and (1) English Pleasure-- one horse may be used for all four events.
10. Stallions over 1 year of age are prohibited in 4-H.
11. The management may, at its discretion, expel any person or persons abusing any horse on the grounds at any time, and entry fees, awards, points and prize money shall be forfeited. In any 4-H class, horses showing signs of undue stress or inhumane treatment must be penalized. Any horse exhibited in a class that has evidence of abuse, such as a cut or abrasion showing clear evidence of fresh blood in the mouth, nose, chin, shoulder, barrel, flank, or hip area, must be considered to be ineligible to receive an award in that class. If a body condition score of 2 or less is assigned to any horse by the show manager, judge, veterinarian, horse superintendent, or the Horse Council that horse is ineligible to compete in any 4H show or activity.
12. The Horse Council may, at its discretion, subject any horse to drug testing procedures by a Horse Council appointed Veterinarian. Any horse doctored, or in any way improperly or unfairly prepared to tamper with before going into the show ring, shall be disqualified.
13. Participation of temporarily or permanently handicapped exhibitors shall be decided by the show management, or the judge, based upon the safety of the individual and/or other exhibitors.
14. Judges shall penalize for unsoundness. The severity of penalty is at the judge’s discretion.
15. Riders who do not have their mounts under suitable control shall be excused from the ring. Judges and ring officials should interpret this wording to stress safety and courtesy to all riders in the class, and consider a horse as being sufficiently out of control at any time the rider is unable to manage the animal in the required class routine after a reasonable corrective action.
16. A Certified Equestrian helmet (SEI or ASTM approved recommended), with a safety harness fastened in place, is required in over fences classes, gymkhana events, timed events not involving livestock, activities and practice sessions (i.e., timed events). It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian of the 4H member to see that the headgear worn complies with such standards and is in good condition. The state 4H office encourages the use of ASTM certifies/SEI approved safety helmets in all equine events. Protective headgear may be used in all classes and shall not be discriminated against.
17. Any grievances shall be in written form and taken to the Park County Horse Council within 24 hours of the last 4H horse event. All grievances shall be submitted with a deposit of $25.00. The applicant shall receive their deposit back if a decision is made in their favor. The applicant shall forfeit their deposit if the has not been overturned.
18. Colorado Horse Show Rule Book shall preside on rules according to 4H Horse Drug and Medications and Breed specific rules. Refer to the Rule Book for specifics.
19. Acceptable bits, equipment, and dress codes are outlined in Colorado 4H Horse Show Rule Book.
CLASS RULES
1. Class declaration must be entered by June 1st of the current fair year.
2. A class with less than three entries may be combined with another class or be shown individually at the discretion of the judge and/or superintendent.
3. Rules for each division shall be adhered to from Colorado 4-H Horse Show Rule Book, unless otherwise stated by Park County Horse Council. Rules shall be enforced by the Park County Horse Council in addition to the Colorado 4H Horse Show Rule Book
4. 4-H members are required to participate in a Showmanship class (Working Ranch Horse, English, or Western showmanship) in order to participate in the Gymkhana Division. Showmanship is required for division participation in pleasure classes.
5. Senior Showman 1st place Western and English shall advance to the “Sr.” Round Robin competition. If they forfeit their right to compete in Round Robin the next person in their division will be eligible. Intermediates and Junior’s 1st and 2nd place shall compete for “Jr.” placing and will be rated 1st-4th place. The 1st place Western and English showman shall advance to the “Jr.” Round Robin Competition. If they forfeit their right to compete the next person in their division will be eligible.
6. 4-H Gymkhana and Working Ranch Horse Divisions requires an individual have to be tested and certified as a "Level I' competitor to compete in a 4-H event.
7. Appropriate Level II rating shall be required to enter Western Riding, Reining, Hunter Hack, and Hunt Seat Equitation over Jumps. Any class that requires a Level III rating at the Colorado State Fair will require a Level II at the Park County Fair.
8. It is required that all events be held inside a closed arena or area. During all runs, arena gates shall remain closed. Failure to enter and leave the arena, mounted at a walk or trot results in a disqualification. Only participating contestants, arena crew, and officials should be in the arena.
9. Written test shall be mandatory for each division and shall be placed as a class. Testing shall be given on the day of competition. In the event of a placing tie, the place of the test shall be the breaker. If a second tie breaker is needed, specific test questions that have been previously chosen shall be used. Showmanship placing shall be used for the third tie breaker.
10. As the written test is considered a class, exhibitors must be on time to take the test, bring their own pencil, must have their exhibitor number, be dressed appropriately to the 4H dress code and include all necessary information on their score sheet. Any score sheets without necessary information shall be discarded. Exhibitors who arrive late for the test shall lose the opportunity to take the test. The only adults allowed in the testing area are those proctoring the test. Exhibitors must direct any questions to test proctors. Exhibitors shall be asked to forfeit their test and leave the area if they share answers with others. Every effort shall be made to provide written tests with only one possible correct answer per question.
11. Each class shall be awarded points according to how many are participating in the class. Points shall be tallied for all divisions for high point awards.
12. Judges for the current fair shall provide the fair patterns from the current 4H Horse Show Rule Book, AQHA patterns, or provide their own pattern. Patterns shall be posted the day of competition.
13. Exhibitors and Parents shall not be permitted to directly approach judges under any circumstances until competition is complete. All comments and concerns shall be directed through show management during the competition. Exhibitors are encouraged to discuss show results with the Judge following the competition completion.
STALL RULES
1. Stall Deposits are due June 1st along with the Horse Declaration forms and class declarations. Deposits can be payable to the Park County Horse Council.
2. A $35.00/horse refundable horse stall deposit is required if you plan to use one of the horse stalls on the fairgrounds along with the dates you shall be using the stall(s). This includes the outdoor pens.
3. Stalls shall be assigned according to: 1 Length of stay 2. Distance traveled 3. Deposit received 4 Hauling abilities. Stall spaces are limited. Checks should be payable to "Park County Horse Council." Stalls must be cleaned by 5:00 p.m. or 2 ½ hours after the end of competition on the day the stall is evacuated or deposit shall be forfeited. Exhibitors must check in and out of the stalls in order to receive access to the stall and deposit refund.
4. Bedding shall be provided for all stalled horses. Sawdust or straw will be accepted for bedding.
5. Horses must be fed, provided clean water, and stalls must be cleaned by 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Stall shall be checked twice a day for cleanliness and care. Any stalls that are not adequately cleaned or horses that are not fed and watered shall be subject to a fee or forfeit of any class awards and class points.
6. All exhibitors opting to leave their stalls without cleaning them shall forfeit their stall fee to the Horse Council.
7. Anyone using a stall or pen areas without a deposit shall be asked to immediately remove their animal and clean any mess that has been made. A charge of $30.00 shall be subjected to a horse left in a stall without permission.
8. In case of a rain delay, the indoor livestock arena shall be available for shelter. Any manure or other mess left in the livestock arena is the responsibility of the horse owner/rider. Unassigned stalls may be used in the case of storms and rain-outs. All stall rules will apply to new stall renter.
9. If access to a pen is made by the “renter’s approval”, the “renter” shall be held responsible for cleaning.
10. The Exhibitor shall be responsible to post a sign with the name of the horse owner, exhibitor, horse, emergency contact numbers, and any other information pertinent to the project horse.
11. Stalls may be accessed when arriving by checking in with the Stall Caretaker. Stalls that are ready to be evacuated shall need to be signed out by the Stall Caretaker or your deposit shall be forfeited.
HORSEMAN IMAGE AWARD
Judging Criteria: Anonymous judges shall circulate during the entire 4-H Horse Show. A committee shall make inspections during the fair to determine the awards, taking into consideration the following points and rating 4-H members in the following areas:
1. Horsemanship safety – Judges shall penalize exhibitors of poor safety, including but not limited to: bareback riding, riding with halter and lead shank, more than one rider and other dangerous displays.
2. Stall safety and cleanliness. Decorations not to count. If stalls are not used, the trailer areas shall be judged for cleanliness and cleaning up the trailer area upon departure.
3. Good sportsmanship
4. Courtesy to show management, judges, exhibitors and visitors.
5. Comradeship among all 4H members.
6. Accuracy in submitting entries.
7. Orderliness and cleanliness of stall, aisles, trailer areas, and animals.
8. Displaying a sign or banner that designates the horse’s name, owner and/or rider, and emergency contact information.
9. Systematic and neat arrangement of supplies, feed, hay and/or straw.
10. Personal appearance in order of the 4H Dress Code during fair competition, division testing, awards presentations and ceremonies.
11. Observance of all rules and regulations of the County Fair.
12. Cooperation with show officials, such as getting entries into the show rings on time.
DRESS CODES
1. Western Dress Code: (Colorado 4-H Horse Rulebook – please refer to it for description).
2. English Dress Code: (Colorado 4-H Horse Rulebook – please refer to it for description).
3. Gymkhana Dress Code: (Colorado 4-H Horse Rulebook – please refer to it for description).
4. Working Ranch Horse Dress Code: (Colorado 4-H Horse Rulebook – please refer to it for description).
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Competition for the 4-H Horse Show shall be grouped by age and not by level.
Age groups shall be as follows:
Junior -- Ages 8 thru 10 as of January 1, current year
Intermediate -- Ages 11 thru 13 as of January 1, current year
Senior -- Ages 14 thru 18 as of January 1, current year
ALL CLASSES SHALL BE DIVIDED BY JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR
CLASSES ARE AS FOLLOWS (NO PARTICULAR ORDER AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)