DEPARTMENT A-HORSES
4-H RULES AND REGULATIONS
Barn Exhibitors
1. All horses entering the Clarke County Fairgrounds must comply with the Fair's general health requirements.
In addition, proof of a negative Coggins test within the last 12 months is required. Papers will be checked to this
effect. 4-H and FFA exhibitors must be cleared by their Extension Agent or FFA instructor to participate. All 4-H
barn entries must have been personally managed and cared for by their exhibitor, and exhibitors must submit a copy
of their 4-H Project Horse Eligibility/Declaration form with their barn entry forms unless a substitute mount is being
used. A substitute mount may be used at the discretion of the 4-H leader, who may request a Veterinary Certificate
stating the original mount is lame, ill or otherwise unfit to be stabled at the Fair.
2. Barn entry packets will be mailed out to Clarke 4-Hers as well as 4-Hers from neighboring counties. Preference will
first be given to Clarke County 4-Hers. Barn entry packets will contain an entry form, a 4-H health form, a 4-H equine
waiver and a form to be signed by a veterinarian stating the horse is current with all recommended vaccines and is in
good health. Also required will be a copy of the 4-Her's Project Horse Eligibility/Declaration form and a current
Coggins test. Entries received after 08/07/2007 cannot be guaranteed a stall.
3. At the mandatory pre-Fair Barn Exhibitors meeting stalls will be
pre-inspected for nails, loose boards, and ground holes. Repairs will be made prior to the horses' arrival on the
Monday of Fair Week.
4. Once stalled, horses must be wearing a break-away or leather halter, and a lead rope and a completed stall
card should be clearly visible by each horse's stall. A fire extinguisher or fire bucket must be available by each
stall. Two water buckets should be clean and full at all times, and horses must have access to salt/electrolytes.
Bedding must be kept clean and horses must be groomed thoroughly after riding. Failure to provide appropriate
care for one's horse after one warning will result in dismissal from the barn and from exhibiting in the 4-H Horse Show.
5. Any horse demonstrating lameness or illness will be evaluated. If in the opinion of the 4-H leaders, the horse
needs veterinary attention, an effort will be made to contact the horse's usual vet; however, if that vet cannot
be contacted, the veterinarian on call will be notified and the 4-Her will be responsible for reimbursement of
services. Any horse who is deemed ill or demonstrates it cannot tolerate the Fair environment, I.e. begins to
strike, rear, bite, will be asked to leave. All attempts to find a substitute mount for the 4-Her will be made,
but cannot be guaranteed. Substitutions can only
be made with the approval of a 4-H leader.
6. Hard hats and proper footwear are mandatory whenever mounted. During exhibition hours, exhibitors at
the barn must be appropriately dressed at all times. Appropriate dress means clean, safe and workmanlike;
appropriate footwear must have a closed toe and heel, sneakers are not acceptable. The dress code will be
reviewed at the mandatory barn exhibitors meeting prior to the Fair. Exhibitors violating the dress code
will be asked to leave the barn area, change and return
7. Lessons and clinics are mandatory unless permission is obtained from a 4-H leader. Unless requested by
an instructor, exhibitors may only ride their own mount. All riders coming to or returning from the barn to
the ring must be accompanied by an adult, unless permission is granted by a 4-H leader. For safety reasons,
riders may be asked to dismount and walk their horses to and from the barn.
8. Exhibitors spending the night at the horse barn must have their parents sign a permission form. In
addition parents must inform the barn chaperone in person that the exhibitor plans to spend the night.
9. Rude behavior and unsportsmanlike conduct is not consistent with the 4-H Code of Conduct, and will
not be tolerated in the barn area or in the show ring. 4-Hers who cannot comply with the Code of Conduct
will be given one warning, subsequent offenses will result in barn dismissal.
4-H/FFA Horse Show Exhibitors
1. Clarke County 4-Hers must be cleared by the Clarke County Extension
Office to exhibit in the 4-H Horse Show. Detailed rules for Clarke County 4-H and FFA Show exhibitors
can be found in the Fair book. A brief summary of what is required for Clarke County 4-Hers to show
in the 4-H Horse Show is as follows:
A. 4-Hers who have previously been enrolled in the Clarke County 4-H
program must be enrolled as a member by January 1, 2007 and have attended a minimum of 6 club meetings
held between October 1, 2006 and August 13th, 2007. New members must be enrolled by March 1, 2007
and attend five monthly meetings. All FFA members are graded on their participating in all FFA meetings.
B. Clarke County 4-Hers are required to participate in at least one of the activities listed as a Fair Qualifier
by the Extension Office on a county, district, or state level between October 1, 2006 and August 1, 2007.
Please see the complete list of Fair Qualifiers in the Rules for 4-H and FFA exhibitors.
C. 4-H and FFA record books must checked by the Extension Agent or FFA advisor by July 17, 2007.
Records must be current and legible.
D. Previously enrolled 4-Hers must have turned in a completed record book for 2005-2006 in order to
participate in the 2007 Clarke County Fair.
* 4-Hers who have not met these requirements can contact the Extension
Office and may be permitted to conduct or attend an activity approved by the 4-H Extension Agent*
2. The 4-H Horse and Pony Show is open to all youth enrolled in a 4-H Horse Project by 5/01/07. All
entrants must show their current 4-H Horse Project Eligibility/Declaration Form and submit a copy of
the horse's current Coggins to the Show Secretary. In the event a mount has been substituted for lameness
or illness, a letter of explanation from a 4-H leader is required. 4-Hers from neighboring counties must be
members of good standing and must provide forms as above. (A letter from their Extension Office stating
they are a member in good standing may be submitted at time of entry or Extension Agents may email a list
of eligible members from their respective counties to rlockwood@equineenthusiasts.com)
3. Juniors are riders less than 13 years of age by September 30th, 2007.Seniors are riders 13 or older by
September 30th, 2007. The Beginner Division is limited to riders in their first two years of showing. These
riders may only cross enter into Showmanship; however they may enter other classes on an unjudged basis
4-H Horse & Pony Show
Ruritan Horse & Pony Show
Western & Gaited Horse & Pony Show
Horse Awards