Horse Show Guidelines

1. The 4-H Horse Show will be held at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds at 8:30 am on Wednesday & Thursday, July 15 & 16, 2009 in the indoor arena.

2. Open to any 4-H member currently enrolled in the  4-H Horse Project in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota counties.

3. Registration: Pre-registration is due at the Red River Valley Fair Office postmarked by Friday, June 19, 2009. A fee of $2.00 per lot entered will be due at pre-registration time. No entries are accepted the day of the show. .

4. Exhibitor will compete only in his/her respective age group. Age group is determined by age on September 1, 2008. Age groups are: 8-11, 12-14, and 15-18. Cloverbuds (age 5-7) can participate in any of the walk-trot classes. An 18 or older handler may lead a Cloverbud if desired. They will be awarded a participation ribbon.

5. Each 4-H member is limited to a maximum of two horses for showing at the 4-H Horse Show. If there is a change in horse entries due to an injury or illness, a written letter from the attending veterinarian must be sent to: 4-H Horse Show, Red River Valley Fair, PO Box 797, West Fargo, ND 58078. No substitutions will be allowed without previous notice.

6. A horse may be exhibited only once in any lot. This also applies to joint ownership of a horse.

7. Participants have three gate calls and 60 seconds maximum time to enter the arena or they forfeit the event. Should any horse become unruly, either in the arena or on the premises, the horse and exhibitor shall be dismissed from the ring or premises. Stallions may not be shown.

8. In timed classes, all starts and stops must be made within designated area. Exhibitors must be entered and exited at a walk (except for Cloverbuds, horses cannot be led into the arena). The gate is to be closed while contestant is running, but need not be closed before starting. Bats and quirts are allowed.

9. Premiums will be offered on all classes.

10. General rules governing horsemanship project requirements will apply. (GBH092  North Dakota 4-H Horse Show Rules & Judging Guide) Show management reserves the right to interpret the rules as necessary for issues not clearly defined. Un-sportsmen-like conduct or abusive language or actions on the part of any 4-H exhibitor, parent, family member, or leader may result in penalization determined by show management.

11. There will be a Grand and Reserve Champion named in each class with the remaining class placing blue, red or white. There will be NO end of day high point award given.

12. Dress Code: All exhibitors will be neatly dressed and must wear a long sleeve solid white shirt with a 4-H emblem on the front. The clover can be stitched, silk-screened, fused or securely fastened using a Velcro type fastener or fabric spray adhesive. (Using safety pins to attach clover patch will not be acceptable.) In addition, exhibitors must wear ASTM-SEI approved harness helmets for all mounted events (western hats are permitted for showmanship), western boots, blue or black colored jeans (dark colored), and a belt. Jewelry or ties are not permitted. Gloves are permitted only in English events. Exhibitor numbers must be clearly visible on the center of the back, pinned top and bottom, or on both sides of the saddle.

13. The English Equitation classes will follow equipment rules and dress code as specified in publication GBH092 (ND 4-H Horse Show Rules & Judging Guide).

14. 4-H exhibitors must meet entry qualifications of local club and County Extension Office. Leaders must submit names of individuals who are ineligible.

15. Stalls can be requested on the Registration Form - cost is $20.00 (unless participating in the Stall Contest). Horses CANNOT be tied or ridden in barn alleys. If you do not rent a stall, you must tie your horse at the trailer.

16. The Walk Trot Class is for beginner 4-H members. Any contestant may enter the Walk trot, however, they may not ride in any other class that requires a canter or lope. If they enter Walk Trot they are limited to Showmanship at Halter & Walk Trot classes.

17. Safety Rule: The road between Schollander and the barns is a safety zone, and horses cannot be ridden in that area.