4-H horse program events

State and national contests

Horse contests allow youth to test out their skills and knowledge and potentially qualify for additional contests.

State horse contests

Each July, youth from throughout Idaho gather for the 4-H youth horse contests, building on their learning experiences at the club, county and/or district level. Each event enables youth to demonstrate their skills/knowledge and potentially qualify to represent Idaho at a national horse contest.

• Idaho's 4-H youth horse contest booklet (pdf)
• State 4-H horse contest registration

Current contest categories include:

• Hippology
• Horse bowl
• Horse judging
• Oral presentations — individual demonstration
• Oral presentations — team demonstration
• Oral presentations — public speaking

See the rules page for a description and specific rules governing each of these events.

The number of entries allotted to each UI Extension district, registration procedures, entry deadlines and other eligibility requirements are set forth within Idaho's 4-H youth horse contest booklet (pdf). All entries are processed/submitted by their respective UI Extension district 4-H horse coordinator.

Contest dates

• Takes place early July annually.

State contest results

Top overall final placings is posted (pdf) following the conclusion of that year’s events.

National horse contests

Several opportunities exist for youth to participate in competitive events beyond the state level. Top senior division individual/team rankings from the annual Idaho 4-H youth horse contests determine subsequent advancement to various national horse contests (based on that contest’s eligibility restrictions).

Idaho currently utilizes the Eastern 4-H National venue in Louisville, Kentucky (instead of Western in Denver) due to similar overall costs and an extensive array of supplemental equine activities available. Note: each state may only submit entries to one site annually.

Below is a summary of the various national horse contests (including location, typical dates and contests offered):

Eastern 4-H National

• Louisville, Kentucky
• Dates: early November
• Eligibility: 14-18 as of Jan. 1
• Events: demonstration (team and individual), hippology, horse bowl, horse judging, public speaking

American Quarter Horse Congress

• Columbus, Ohio
• Dates: October
• Eligibility: 14-18 as of Jan. 1
• Events: demonstration (team and individual), hippology, horse bowl, horse judging, public speaking

American Quarter Horse Youth Association

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Dates: early August
• Eligibility: 8-18 as of Jan. 1
• Events: horse judging and public speaking

Morgan Grand National

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Dates: early October
• Eligibility: 8-18 as of Jan. 1
• Event: horse judging

Arabian Youth Contest

• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Dates: late October
• Eligibility: 8-18 as of Jan. 1
• Event: horse judging

AYA & AJPHA Youth World Championship

• Fort Worth, Texas
• Dates: June
• Eligibility: junior division — 8-13 senior division — 14-18 as of Jan. 1
• Event: horse judging