Fergus/Petroleum 4-H Horse Program. Policy Rules

Policy Rules 1. Previous year members must have enrollment cards into the office with designated horse projects and project levels by January 1 with no new members being enrolled after April 15 (unless transferring from another club out-of county). April 15 is the deadline for any additions or corrections to the enrollment. Independent study project outlines are due April 15. Project outlines and goal sheets should be brought to the fair for the class or interview. Age classifications for project members will be st determined as of October 1 of the current 4-H project year. 2. Fergus County 4-H program policy will be reviewed each fall/winter and can be changed at a meeting of the Fergus County Horse Leaders, held prior to April 15 of each year, by a 2/3 vote in favor of the proposed change(s) by those members which are eligible to vote and present at that meeting. 3. Members must register separately for English and Western Horsemanship Levels on their enrollment cards. 4. The Central Montana Fair will be the qualifying show for the State 4-H Horse Show. 5a. An injured or sick horse may be given special consideration to qualify for the State Show at a show other than the County Show upon receipt of a letter from the parents and the veterinarian explaining the injury. This must be done before the State Show entry deadline. The Horse Committee and/or the County Extension Agent will make the necessary arrangements to follow-up on the letter. 5b An injured or sick 4-H member may be given special consideration to qualify for the State Show at a show other than the county show upon receipt of a letter from the parents and the attending physician explaining the injury or sickness. This must be done before the State Show entry deadline. The Horse Committee and/or the County Extension Agent will make the necessary arrangements to follow-up on the letter. 6. No Central Montana Fair judge may give any clinics in Fergus County during the project year in which they will judge. 7. At the Central Montana Fair, the Danish system of judging will be used for all 4-H classes. The number of medallions to be awarded in each class is based on class size. 8. If a member is unable to show their horse project at the fair and wish to continue the progression through the levels of either horsemanship or the colt to maturity project, the member needs to contact the Extension Office so a proper assessment can be completed prior to continuation in the project. Policy Rules different from State 4-H Horse Show Premium Book and Project Manual 1. The best experience in the Horsemanship levels will occur when members (levels 1-7) ride safe, trained horses. Lessons and/or clinics for the rider and the horse, where both participate together, are acceptable in helping members achieve the optimum in their project. All animals carried as a 4-H project must be in the primary care of the member by April 15. Horses may not be in training with a professional trainer after April 15 of the project year. 4-H members who have advanced to Levels 4-7 and have a horse in training at any time are taking unfair advantage of the 4-H program. The Colt to Maturity and Green Horse project horses may not be trained by a professional trainer. If a 4-H member encounters serious problems with their Colt to Maturity or Green Horse project

Policy Rules - continued horse, they may seek help from a professional or someone more experienced than themselves as long as the member is present to see how the problem is corrected and consequently learn from the help sessions. The intent is to keep the project safe for the member and to have some logical progression to the project. The emphasis needs to be on safety and learning. If a member has a serious problem that is not being resolved, the member along with his/her parent and/or club leader is encouraged to come to the County 4-H Horse Committee and seek help and guidance in planning an appropriate course of action. 2. Within the 2 year old project (Level 2) in the Colt to Maturity program, loping is a required gait according to the project manual. Members may utilize the trot as a personal option at the fair without being disqualified. 3. A member may exhibit only one horse in English Horsemanship and one horse in Western Horsemanship. 4. A member may repeat any level of Horsemanship. Once a member has earned two blue ribbons in anyone level the member must move on to the next level. If a member wishes to remain in a particular horsemanship level after earning two blue ribbons in that level, a written request must be given to the Horse Leader's Committee prior to April 15. To stimulate continued personal growth, members enrolled in the horsemanship project must move up to the next level after winning a medallion in their current project level or placing at the State 4-H Horse Show. in as such. Trail and bareback are not county projects. Members entering in Jr. Trail or Jr Bareback must wear a helmet to compete at the Central Montana Fair. 8. Horses five years old or younger may be ridden with a snaffle bit or bosal and two hands. 9. A member may show only one horse per level in the Colt to Maturity program within the same year. 10. Within the colt to maturity project, a member may ride both English and Western in the 2 year old, 3 year old, 4 year old, and 5 year old classes. 11. If a member enrolled in Level 3 of Western Horsemanship decides to begin an English Horsemanship project, the member may drop back one level and be in English in Level 2. The same would be true of an English rider who decided to begin a Western Horsemanship project. Another example: A Level 4 Western Horsemanship member would star in Level 3 of English Horsemanship. 12. Any horse, regardless of age or class, may be excused from the show ring by the judge or show officials if the horse's behavior is a threat to other horses and/or exhibitors. 13. Each 4-H member enrolled in a 4-H Horse Project will receive and review these Horse Program Policy Rules at the beginning of the 4-H year and place a copy of the rules in their 4-H Record Book. 5. Stallions will not be allowed to show in any 4-H horse classes at the Central Montana Fair. 6. The dress code for Fergus County 4-H Shows will be the same as those stated in the Central Montana Fair premium book. 7. Hunter hack, and rodeo are county projects rather than horsemanship options and should be enrolled Revised 11/05

Materials & Structure Project Materials - available to 4-H members: 1. County Horse Policy Rules - these rules are intended to enhance and clarify the State 4-H Horse Show Book, State 4-H Project Books, and are to act as guidelines for the Fergus County Horse Program. They take precedence over other policies for events held in Fergus county. 2. State 4-H Horse Show Book - Provides the guidelines for the State 4-H Horse Show. 3. Montana Horsemanship Project Material Booklets, fliers, etc appropriate to different levels & options 4. Training Horses Yearling to Five Year Old - A textbook to be used by members for all five years of the training project. 5. 4-H Livestock Showmanship Book - A reference booklet to be used by members for showmanship classes. 6. Horse Immunization and Worming Record (Fergus County Form) Horse Leaders - will work with members in their clubs and are encouraged to attend the Horse Leaders Committee meetings. They should inform themselves and members of upcoming activities, decisions, and deadlines. They need to check and double check members' registration cards to be sure they are enrolled in the correct project levels for both Western and English Horsemanship. Horse Leaders Committee - Consists of enrolled 4-H Horse Leaders, and Junior Leaders. The committee will preside over the 4-H Horse Program and will meet as needed. To be eligible to vote, a horse leader must be enrolled. A quorum will consist of those members present at a meeting. Chair - The duties of the Chair are as follows: 1. Preside over all Horse Leaders meetings 2. Will be ex-officio member of all committees for shows, clinics, and meetings. 3. Will work with Extension Office and Leaders Council 4. Call any special meetings as necessary 5. May appoint new committees to facilitate the working of the Horse program. Vice Chair - The duties of the Vice Chair are as follows: 1. Preside over meetings in absence of the Chair 2. Notify leaders of special meetings or workshops 3. Research for resource materials to be presented to 4-H Council for purchasing 4. Notify Extension Office of scheduled workshops and any necessary items to be purchased 5. Fill position of missing officers at meetings Secretary - The duties of the Secretary are as follows: 1. Take minutes at Horse Leaders meetings and turn them in to the Extension Office for posting to the web site. 2. Read all correspondence at Horse Leaders meeting 3. Take notes at 4-H Foundation, Leaders council and other business meetings pertaining to the horse program and report on them at the next Horse Leaders meeting 4. Write thank you notes and other correspondence as needed Extension Agent 1. Is to be a facilitator to the Horse Leaders 2. Is responsible for getting any complaints received in the Extension Office to the Horse Committee immediately 3. To make sure all show results are submitted to the newspaper(s) for publishing 4. Is responsible for getting all information sent from State Horse Show Committee and State 4-H office to Horse Leaders Committee Reviewed 11/05

Bareback Equitation Eligibility 1. See the Fergus/Petroleum County 4-H Policy Statement and Project Assessment Rule # 5. Equipment 1. Western or English type equipment can be used, but all will show in the same class. 2. No saddle pads can be used. 3. Head gear shall be either a bosal hackamore or a grazing snaffle, curb, half breed, bar, spade bit, pelhams, weymouth, and/or full bridles. Chain curb are permissible, but must meet the approval of the judge, must be at least one-half inch in width, and lie flat against the jaw of the horse. 4. No chaps, spurs, whips, crops or other devices will be allowed. 5. It is permissible to wear a riding helmet with Western attire and equipment. In fact, riding helmets are encouraged. Junior members are required to wear a helmet to compete at the fair. Instructions to Riders The class will enter the ring and proceed in counterclock-wise directions. The class will be worked at a walk, jog trot, and lope, in both directions of the ring, back up the horse, work individually, or other tests the judge may deem necessary to judge the extent of the rider's horsemanship. Mounting and dismounting may be done at judges discretion. The rider is judged in this class on his ability to ride and control a horse without the use of a saddle. A rider shall be judged on his basic position: hand position, leg position, seat position, and back position. To further explain, a rider should sit in a balanced relaxed manner, up close to the horse's withers, keeping the back straight, shoulders even, and an arch in the small of the back. A rider should keep his arms in close to his body. The Western Riders Rein hand (one finger between the reins is permissible) should be held loose and should be positioned directly above and in front of where the saddle horn would be if a rider was using a saddle. The position of the rider's free hand is optional but should indicate a relaxed, not sloppy, balanced attitude of the body and should be kept free of the horse. If shown in a ring snaffle bit, two hands may be used on the reins. The legs maintain contact with the horse - giving the necessary leg grip. The foot is turned out just slightly and the heels should be level or slightly lowered close to the horse just behind the horse's elbows. A rider should be in balance with his horse at all times and should be able to sit in the trot bareback. No posting at the trot will be permitted. An imaginary straight line drawn from the rider's shoulder or hip should drop at the back of the heel and a straight line from the knee should drop in front of the toe. A rider in this class must be able to display, through his riding ability in the ring, his knowledge of how to handle a horse properly. A rider is penalized if he changes hands on the horse. While the horse is in motion, the rider's hands shall be clear of the horse. A rider falling off is not an automatic disqualification. The English Riders Hands should be over and in front of the horse's withers, knuckles thirty degrees inside the vertical, hands slightly apart and making a straight line from the horse's mouth to rider's elbow, holding of reins optional. Eyes up and shoulder back, toes slightly out and ankles flexed in, heels down, calf of leg in contact with horse and slightly behind girth. At the walk and slow trot, rider's body position should be vertical: posting trot, inclined forward. At the canter, body position is halfway between that for the posting trot and walk. Placing There will be 3 classes... Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Juniors are l0 and under; Intermediates are 11-13 and Seniors are 14 and over as of October 1 of the 4-H year. These age classifications are for the bareback equitation, showmanship and trail classes, only. Revised 11/06

Hunter Hack To be shown at a walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring and to jump two fences set at 2' to 2'6". Light contact with horse's mouth is required. Horses should be obedient, alert, responsive and move freely. Horses may be asked to hand gallop one way of the ring. Suitable hunt attire shall be worn for show, including coat, breeches or jodhpurs, high English boots or jodhpur shoes. A safety helmet is required for any jumping and pleasure classes. Ties, chokers or hunting stocks are required. Regulation English snaffle (no shank), Pelham (2 reins), Kimberwicke, Weymouth and full bridles shall be acceptable. Saddles of English hunting or forward seat type. Optional: gloves, unrowelled spurs, English breastplate, braiding mane and/or tail. If the tail is braided, the mane must be braided. If the tail is not braided, the mane must be unbraided. Prohibited: Running or standing martingales, tiedowns, draw reins, dropped nosebands. Eligibility: Members must be enrolled in or have completed Horsemanship Level 3 to enroll in this project. Project Skills The following skills should be achieved in this project: 1. Rail work 2. Back up horse 3. Light contact with horse's mouth 4. Hand gallop 5. Stand quietly on free rein 6. Free movement and manners 7. Style over fence (horse and rider) 8. Even hunting pace 9. Jumping fences without interrupting rhythm 10. Jumping at the center offence 11. Demonstrate ability to jump two fences 2' to 2'6 in height 12. Use of Cavaletties for correct stride Reviewed 11/06

Tack and Gear The primary considerations with this section are the safety issues for the exhibitors which are our 4- H members! In addition to the specific project manuals and project guide sheets, "Montana Horsemanship Projects Manual, Bulletin 1160" is a good resource about tack and gear for Montana 4-H horse projects. (This book is commonly referred to as the "brown book"). The following are local rules and guidelines adopted by the Fergus-Petroleum 4-H Horse Committee which govern 4-H horse classes at the Central Montana Fair. To prepare properly, members should also follow these same rules and guidelines as they train and prepare for the fair. 1. Snaffle Bits. An acceptable snaffle bit would be considered a conventional O-ring, Egg Butt, or D-ring with a broken mouthpiece (2 or 3 pieces) with no leverage or gag action. Rings are no smaller than 2" or larger than 4" in diameter. Mouthpiece is of smooth material, round or oval in shape, no wire bits or wire wrapped bits. Conchos or other decorative shapes in the center of the rings that can be utilized to change the leverage are not allowed. years old must be ridden with a curb bit and one-handed. Curb bits are those with a shank; maximum shank length is that which is consistent with major breed show rule books. 4. Curb straps must lie flat and be at least 'li inch wide. Wire or wire-wrapped curb straps are not allowed. 5. Tie downs, draw reins, and non-split reins and mechanical hackamores are not allowed. The exception to this is in the speed event classes (barrels and poles) where tie downs, roping reins, and mechanical hackamores are common and generally acceptable. 6. For the English classes, acceptable headgear is defined as: an English snaffle, Kimberwick, Pelham, and/or full double bridle. Cavesson nosebands are generally standard equipment. 7. Australian stock saddles are acceptable for the classes specified as "Western". 8. Chains, if part of a halter lead strap, cannot be in contact with any part of the horse. Example: Cannot go over the nose, under the jaw, etc. The chain must be only a connecting link between the halter and the lead strap. 2. Running Martingales. Running martingales are allowed in the green horse and colt to maturity classes because the martingales are training aids. For safety reasons, they are allowed only with acceptable snaffle bits. They are not allowed in the horsemanship classes. Standing martingales are not allowed in any 4-H classes except for the speed event classes - barrels and poles. 3. Unless it is a green horse in an established Green Horse Class, horses older than five Revised 11/06

Trail Class Eligibility 1. See the Fergus/Petroleum 4-H Policy Statement and Project Assessment Rule # 5; and items 4 and 5 in the 2. Tack and Gear Guidelines. Junior members must wear a helmet to compete at the fair. 3. Entries must be shown in a stock saddle. Tiedowns, martingales and mechanical hackamores of any type are prohibited. Chain chin straps less than one-half (1/2) inch in diameter are also prohibited.. Split reins are permissible; non-split reins are not allowed. 4. Western hat or riding helmet, boots, and long sleeved shirts are mandatory. Chaps and spurs are optional. Junior members are required to wear a helmet to show at the fair. 5. In all classes the Judge shall request all contestants to perform individually. 6. This class will be judged on the performance of the horse in maneuvering the obstacles. The horse should work with a reasonably loose rein without undue restraint. The judge will have the right to ask for rail work. 7. Six obstacles will be used, of which three will be mandatory and three others selected from an approved lists. The distance between obstacles shall be at the discretion of the judge. Mandatory Obstacles If the horse hesitates at any obstacle, the rider will be flagged on to the next obstacle, at the discretion of the judge, and will lose points for that obstacle. 1. Opening, passing through and closing gate. (Use a gate which will not endanger horse or rider, gate constructed with a minimum of 50 inches from the top of the gate to the ground and a minimum width of 4 feet). 2. Ride over a wooden bridge. (Bridge should be of sturdy construction with a minimum width of 36 inches and with non-slip ramp approach). 3. Back through elevated or un-elevated poles, 'L' shaped course at least 30 inches in width; or, back a triangle pattern through three oil drums. Optional Obstacles If the horse hesitates at any obstacle, the rider will be flagged on to the next obstacle at the discretion of the judge and will lose points for that obstacle. 1. Ride over at least four (4) logs. 2. Carry object from one part of arena to another (only objects which reasonably might be carried on a trail ride may be used). 3. Put on and remove slicker. 4. Water hazard. 5. Dismount and lead horse over obstacles not less than 14 inches in height or over 24 inches in height. 6. Side pass. 7. Obstacle consisting of four logs or rails each 5 to 6 feet long, laid in a square. Each contestant will enter the square by stepping over the log or rail at the designated side. When all four feet are inside the square the rider will execute a 360 degree turn (right or left), pause and depart by stepping over the log or rail immediately opposite side of entry. 8. Ground tying. (Dismount, walk about 10 to15 feet and return and mount, also to be judged on dismounting and mounting). 9. Rail work at the discretion of the judge. Prohibited Obstacles No bales of hay or straw will be used in a trail class because of danger of catching feet or shoes in string or wire. No tires will be used in a trail class because of danger of catching feet in tires. No obstacles that require dragging will be used. While horse is in motion, rider's hands shall be clear of horse to avoid cuing. Horses to be penalized by an unnecessary delay while approaching obstacle. Judges are encouraged to advance on to the next obstacle when any horse is taking excessive time at an obstacle. There will be 3 classes...junior, Intermediate and Senior. Juniors are 10 and under; Intermediate are 11-13; Senior is 14 and over as of October 1 of the 4-H year. These age classifications apply only to the Trail, Bareback, and Showmanship Classes. General Requirements Yearling Trail Class Requirements include those for the Trail Class except items will be accomplished by leading the yearling through the course rather than riding. Side pass will not be included in this project. **There are no member age breakdowns for this class; exhibitors must be enrolled in Level 1, Colt to Maturity. Revised 11/06

Project Assessments It is the consensus of the Fergus-Petroleum 4-H Horse committee that project assessments be done at the local club level. If, however, a club needs help with a particular project assessment, the horse committee and the Extension Office would work together to provide the necessary assistance. Assessments related to fair entries and fair classes need to be completed by April 15. Members would show in their highest, assessed level at the fair. For example, a member might be working in the Horsemanship Levels 1-3 book and be assessed as being in Level 2 before April 15. The member would show in Level 2 this year even though he/she might continue to work and actually be doing some Level 3 work by fair time. If a member has been assessed and moves up a level after April 15 and prior to June 1 (Fair Entry Deadline), proof of assessment and new project level must be provided to the Extension Office,- Remember that project assessments will happen in every horsemanship level within the 4-H Horse curriculum with the exception of the Colt to Maturity project which is the only project which is a year-to-year progression. Assessment should be an educational experience. We want the members to feel good about themselves, their project work, and the assessment process. The assessment process is a time to build positive self concept and help the member with decision making and the development of a responsible attitude. Here are a few guidelines that have been discussed and decided upon by the Fergus-Petroleum 4-H Horse Committee: 1. A horse used in the Horsemanship Levels (I-VII) can be used in all other projects except Colt to Maturity and Green Horse. 2. A member must be 12 years old or older, by January 1 of the current 4-H year, and enrolled in or completed Horsemanship Level III to enroll in the Colt to Maturity project. The horse used for the Colt to Maturity project cannot be a Horsemanship Level I-VII horse or a Green Horse. 3. A member must be 12 years old or older, by January 1 of the current 4-H year, and working in or completed Horsemanship Level III to enroll in the Green Horse project. The horse used for the Green Horse project cannot be a Colt to Maturity horse or a Horsemanship Level I-VII horse. 4. Any member enrolled in any horse-project is eligible to enter showmanship. In showmanship, a member must show their own project horse; i.e. colt-to maturity, horsemanship level horse, green horse, ranch horse, driving horse. 5. The established Fergus-Petroleum county projects consisting of Rodeo and Hunter Hack will be maintained. Members must be either working in or completed Horsemanship Level III to participate in these county projects. Trail and Bareback are not county projects; Junior members are required to wear a helmet to compete in Bareback and Trail at the Central Montana Fair. *** In the case of all these projects and fair classes -Bareback, Hunter Hack, Rodeo, and Trailthe horse used must be a regular 4-H project horse (Horsemanship, Colt to Maturity, Green Horse) 6. To enroll in Horsemanship options such as driving, ranch horse, careers, judging etc., a member must have completed or be enrolled in Level III Horsemanship.

Project Assessments- continued 7. Within the Rodeo project, placings in Barrels and Poles will be based on time. The judge may elect to place the class on form and horsemanship due to safety and arena conditions. Please Note: To compete in barrels and poles, a member must enroll in the rodeo project. 8. At the Central Montana Fair, an interview process may be used to evaluate these projects: Rodeo, Packing, Horse Showing, Horse Judging, Independent Study, and Careers with Horses. There may be no classes in which to show; all fair placings will be based on the interview process. 9. Any exceptions must be approved by the 4-H Horse Committee. Remember, these are just broad guidelines. Actual project assessment guidelines have been developed for each project!! Remember, also, that members have the option of the Horseless Horsemanship project. This is available in Units I-III. A member may also enroll in the Judging and Careers projects without a horse. Keep in mind that the purpose of the 4-H program is to build and develop life skills in the member with whom we work: Positive Self Concept Decision Making Skills and Responsible Attitudes Develop Inquiring Minds Develop the Ability to Relate to Self and Others Develop a Concern for Communities - Local and Global

Revised 11/06