GOODING COUNTY 4-H HORSE POLICY MANUAL Supplement to Southern District III 4-H/Youth Horse & Pony Guidelines REVISED MARCH 2010 BY GOODING COUNTY HORSE COMMITTEE The University of Idaho provides equal opportunity in education and employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. 1
GOODING COUNTY 4-H HORSE PROJECT GUIDELINES I. Applies to the Horse Project and the following focus areas: Dressage Driving Hunter/Jumper Pleasure Trail Working Ranch Horse II. Membership Requirements A. Youth between the ages of 8 and 18 (19 if still in high school) are eligible to enroll in 4-H projects and participate in programs of recognition and awards. Note: all ages are as of January 1 of the current year. B. Cloverbud members between the ages of 5 and 7 are eligible for approved Cloverbud curriculum, but are not eligible for competitive shows or contests. Cloverbud members must follow all Cloverbud Program Guidelines as established by the Idaho State 4-H Office. Cloverbud members are not covered under the 4-H insurance policy for a horse project, therefore, they should not take a horse to any 4-H-sponsored activity, contest, show, or the county fair. C. Membership is established when enrollment forms have been filed in the Gooding County Extension Office and enrollment fees have been paid. All members enrolling in one of the above horse projects must be enrolled by April 1. III. General Horse Project Requirements A. Members must belong to an organized 4-H club and be enrolled in the 4-H horse project. B. To complete a project and to be eligible for the county horse show, a member must: 1. Own/lease the horse(s) used, provide care for, feeding, and management of the horse(s) at least 120 days before exhibiting. 2. Keep a record of expenses, health care, and participation in shows and related horse activities/events. 3. Attend the majority of scheduled regular club meetings. 2
4. Give an oral presentation (speech, demonstration or illustrated talk) annually to your regular club, project group, or other group approved by your leader and county extension educator. 5. Complete at least five (5) activities or learning experiences related to this project each year. 6. Complete and submit a Horse Portfolio to the Gooding County Extension Office by the county deadline. Late portfolios will not be accepted. Portfolios will be judged and displayed during the fair. a. The portfolio will consist of the following exhibited in a clear plastic cover (no binders): 4-H Animal Record Book (#91940) Permanent 4-H Horse Identification (#72650) Horse Project Summary Sheet General Equitation Checklist (#72657) Focus Area Skills Checklist (if applicable) 4-H Involvement Report (#91910) 4-H Story 1 or 2 pages of photos 1 cover sheet (optional) b. Optional Focus Areas Skills Checklist include: Working Ranch Horse Optional Focus Area Skills Checklist (72652) Hunter/Jumper Optional Focus Area Skills Checklist (72653) Driving Optional Focus Area Skills Checklist (72654) Trail Optional Focus Area Skills Checklist (72655) Dressage Optional Focus Area Skills Checklist (72656) 7. All members are required to participate in an individual interview evaluation to complete their project. These evaluations are scheduled for the Monday prior to fair week (see Fair Schedule for date). 8. Dress code for interviews, oral presentation and judging contest: Appropriate English or Western attire must be worn throughout all contests, award presentations and interviews. Accepted English attire includes breeches/jopphurs, tall or short hard-soled boots, shirt with collar. Jacket, derby hat or helmet is optional. Accepted Western attire includes long pants (jeans or western slacks) and belt, a long-sleeved western shirt or slinkie with collar (must be tucked into pants), and slick sole western boot. Western hat or helmet is optional. 9. Exhibit your horse in a show, fair, or other Extension 4-H/Youth program approved event. 3
C. Youth age groups for all horse classes and activities are: Junior 1 - ages 8-9 Junior 2 ages 10-11 Intermediate - ages 12-14 Senior - ages 15-18 Walk Trot any age (see page 5) Novice any age (see page 5) Junior Horse/Five Years & Under Horse any age (see page 6) IV. Animal Requirements A. Project animals may be a horse of any breed or age. B. Horses do not have to be registered. C. A stallion may only be shown the year it was foaled. D. A family owned horse may be managed by two members of a family on a 50/50 basis. This includes feeding, grooming, exercising, training and access to use. All riding classes will be alternated between the two members. Each member must submit a separate record book. Each specific case must be approved by the Gooding County Extension Office and Horse Committee. E. A non-family owned horse must be managed by the member at least 80% of the time during the project year. F. The same animal cannot be used for both 4-H and FFA projects/classes. G. No more than three horses may be used by any one member. A Permanent 4-H Horse Identification and Health Record (72650) must be submitted in record book for each horse used. V. Gooding County Horse Show Rules A. Objectives see page 4 of Southern District III 4-H/Youth Horse & Pony Guidelines. B. Conduct By Exhibitors, Parents & Others 1. 4-H members should act as young ladies and gentlemen at all times. Good sportsmanship is essential. If members, parents or others closely associated with a specific member exhibit unsportsmanship conduct, the situation will be reviewed by a committee of at least 3 county leaders and the 4-H Program Coordinator and may result in dismissal from any further classes. 4
2. Exhibitors will be dismissed from further competition by the judge or show officials for unnecessary roughness or abuse of his/her horse by anyone. Unmanageable horses will be excused from the ring at the discretion of the judge. 3. Horse Show management will make all possible effort to secure the best available judges. Decisions of the judges are final. Any interference with the judges, exhibitors, officials, or any discourteousness or unsportsmanlike display toward them will be cause for disqualification of the participant. Exhibitors will follow the judges directions at all times, and on request, will answer questions or demonstrate as indicated by the judge. C. Entry forms and fees 1. Entry forms for 4-H/FFA members must be turned into the Gooding County Extension Office by the county deadline. Leader/Instructor signature indicates all project requirements have been met. 2. Parent and leader need to approve all classes entered for each child/member before entry forms are submitted to the Extension Office. Classes may be dropped on the day of the show but additions will not be allowed. 3. An entry fee will be charged per class to help pay expenses. Entry fee will be refunded if class is dropped due to not enough participants. Fee will not be refunded if participant drops class. D. Classes and General Information 1. Small classes may be combined. Awards and ribbons will not be combined. 2. Youth entering English Equitation Over Fences are responsible for bringing in and setting up their own equipment. Equipment will be provided for all other classes. 3. Cattle/Goat will be provided for a fee for members participating in Working Ranch Cow Work, Goat Tying, Goat Tail Untying and Breakaway Roping classes. See current entry form for amount of fees. 4. The top three (3) placings and/or all blue ribbons in a class will be eligible to participate in that class at the District Horse Show unless otherwise noted. 5. Member must use the same horse in district classes that they used in the county show. E. Animal Requirements and Classifications 5
1. Substitute horses may be used in the event of accident or illness with a statement from a veterinarian. If a horse proves to be totally unmanageable or dangerous, a substitute horse may be used with the permission of the Gooding County Extension Office and Horse Committee. 2. Entries will be classified as horses if over 14.2 hands and ponies if under 14.2 hands. 3. A Junior Horse (5 years and under as of January 1 of current year) must designate whether to be in Junior Horse/Five Years & Under classes or age division classes. A Junior Horse cannot be shown in both divisions. F. Patterns Patterns will be posted one hour before beginning of show or as soon as judge arrives. All participants will be able to walk (without horse) the trail course one hour prior to the start time. G. Order of classes will be posted. H. Definitions Walk-Trot classes are open to youth any age, in their first or second year of riding horse 4-H. The 2-year time limit may be extended by request of the Gooding County 4-H Horse Committee. Members showing in Walk- Trot classes are not eligible for any loping classes. Walk-Trot classes will include: Western Pleasure Poles West. Horsemanship Barrels Western Reining English Equitation Freestyle Reining English Pleasure. Trail Walk-Trot exhibitors will participate in their age division showmanship class. Walk-trot exhibitors are not eligible for the Ranch Show classes except Dummy Roping. Exhibitors may not cross-enter between regular classes and walk-trot classes except for Showmanship. Novice refers to the experience level of the rider; classes are open to youth any age, with leader and Horse Committee approval. Novice division exhibitors enter only Novice-designated classes. Novice exhibitors show at all three gaits: walk, trot, lope. Novice classes will include: Showmanship Trail Western Pleasure English Pleasure Western Horsemanship Freestyle Reining 6 English Equitation Ranch Show classes
Novice classes are not District Show qualifiers. The Horse Committee may give special permission to members who have entered novice classes at the County Horse Show to enter that class in their age division at the District Horse Show. Junior/Intermediate/Senior designated rider classes refer to the age of the exhibitor according to 4-H enrollment guidelines as recorded in the Extension Office (see page 3). Open classes allow entries from all regular rider age classes: Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and Junior Horses (Five Years & Under Horse Division). Junior Horse/Five Years & Under Horse Division refers to horses 5 years old and younger as of Jan. 1 of the current year. Junior Horses/ Five Years & Under Horse Division cannot be cross-entered in rider age division/novice/walk-trot classes, but may enter open classes in addition to Junior Horse designated classes. Junior Horses/ Five Years & Under Horse Division are shown in the exhibitor s age division showmanship class. Junior Horses/ Five Years & Under Horse Division will be allowed in Ranch Show classes only upon approval of leader. Showmanshow Exhibit refers to colts under one year; geldings and fillies two years and under. I. Horse Show Classes - refer to the Southern District III 4-H/Youth Horse & Pony Guidelines for detailed information on the following classes: Showmanship Freestyle Reining Bareback Pleasure Trail Western Pleasure Western Horsemanship Western Reining Western Riding Working Ranch Trail Working Ranch Cow Work Barrel Racing Pole Bending English Pleasure English Equitation English Equitation Over Fences Mini Horse Classes Detailed information for the following classes can be found in this Manual: Open Western Equitation Draw Working Ranch Roping Dummy Roping Breakaway Roping Goat Tying Goat Tail Untying J. Safety 7
Refer to page 8 of the Southern District III 4-H/Youth Horse & PonyGuidelines for safety guidelines. Any committee needed to deal with safety issues at the county show or activity will consist of at least 3 county representatives and at least one Gooding County Extension staff. K. Dress Code The Gooding County 4-H Horse Program supports and follows the Southern District III 4-H/Youth Horse & Pony Guidelines. Refer to this publication for dress code requirements. L. Equipment Refer to the Southern District III 4-H/Youth Horse & Pony Guidelines for a list of western and English equipment and descriptions. M. Classes Not Eligible for the District Horse Show The following classes are offered for the Gooding County Horse Show but are not district show qualifiers: Open Western Equitation Draw Dummy & Ranch Roping Breakaway Roping Goat Tying & Tail Untying N. Open Western Equitation Draw This is a class, where upon entry, your horse s name will be put into a draw. Contestants will then draw a horse to ride in the class. This class will be judged as described in previous Western Horsemanship/Equitation section. Rules Contestants must be able to lope; contestants entered in walk-trot classes are not eligible for this class. All contestants must have the approval of their club leader and parent/guardian. All contestants will draw a horse out of the entered horses. Contestants will be allowed to switch saddles. There will be a 5-minute warm-up period. Dismissal from the class is at the discretion of the show management. O. ROPING Dummy Roping, Unit 1 - open to all horse members 1. Participants will rope the dummy from the ground. Each participant will be allowed 5 throws at the head and 5 throws at the heels, and judged on the catches that are made on the stationary dummy as shown below. 2. Ropers must be able to catch 3 of five heads and 3 of 5 heels at the Horse Show to progress to Unit 2 at the Horse Show next year. 8
HEAD HEELS SCORE Miss Miss 0 ½ head 3 Whole head 3 Horns 3 1 heel 2 2 heels 3 Dummy Roping, Unit 2 open to all horse members with leader s permission 1. Participants will rope the dummy as above, but from horseback, dallying after each throw. 2. Participants will be scored up to five points for the way they handle and position their horse, and the way they handle their rope coiling, swinging, dallying, etc., up to five points. Ranch Roping, Unit 3 limited to WRH Unit 2 or Unit 3 members; requires leader approval 1. Ropers in this class must demonstrate their ability to head cattle from within a group of cattle. 2. Participants will enter a pen or corral of moderate size, where five head of cattle will be waiting. Roper will work with a helper or hazer. 3. When the judge drops the flag to start, the roper will rope as many head of cattle as he/she can within a 3 minute time limit. The helper is present to set up the cattle if necessary. 4. No verbal abuse of the hazer, horse or cattle or foul language will be tolerated and will be grounds for immediate disqualification. 5. Ropers are required to use a breakaway hondo, which will be checked by the judge prior to start. The free end of the rope is to be dallied around the horn after catching the steer, until the hondo breaks free, when the roper will recoil and rope another steer. 6. A legal catch will consist of any catch that goes over the head or horns. 7. A roper will only use one rope for this class. If a rope is dropped or lost during the roping, the judge will decide if the participant should get a rerun or the run will be forfeit. 8. At the end of 2.5 minutes, the judge will alert the contestant that he/she has 30 seconds left. 9. Roping will be judged as shown: Points Consideration 20 Handling of the rope and reins 20 Positioning and handling of the horse 20 The swing and throw of the rope 20 Attitude toward the horse, cattle and hazer 20 Posture on the horse 20 All legal catches will be worth 20 points 10. Undue roughness of cattle or horse will result in immediate disqualification, at the discretion of the judge, and will not be contestable. 9
11. Cattle will be changed as stock numbers allow and depending on the number and experience of ropers. 12. Horses will not be allowed to break into faster than a trot, and the judge will deduct points for infractions of the speed rule. Ranch Roping Unit 4 must have completed WRH Unit 1 and Unit 2; requires leader approval 1. Ranch Roping Unit 4 requires greater skill than Unit 3. The same basic rules apply, however the time limit for the event in Unit 4 is shortened to 2 minutes and the first minute will be catching the head, and then the second minute will be catching heels. The roper may change ropes between heads and heels if desired, and time may be stopped to allow the change, providing the roper notifies the judge prior to starting the run. The only change in scoring is that one heel will be worth 10 points and two heels worth 20 points. P. Breakaway Roping Time Limits (30 second maximum allowed) Junior I, II, and Intermediate: Blue = any legal catch within 30 seconds; Red = rope touching calf within 30 seconds; White = participating in the class. Senior: Blue = any legal catch within 20 seconds; Red = any legal catch between 20:1 to 30 seconds; White = participating in the class. Equipment Western type equipment must be used. Rules Time to be taken between two flags. The rope must be attached to the horn in such a manner as to allow the rope to be released from the horn when the calf hits the end of the rope. This will be contestant s responsibility. Rope must be tied to the horn with a string and may not be run through bridle, tie down, neck rope or any other device. String will be provided and will be inspected by designated official before each contestant competes. No loops are to be rebuilt. Only a white cloth must be attached to the rope at the saddle horn so the judge can tell when the rope breaks from the horn. The catch-as-catch-can rule shall apply after the loop has passed over the calf s head. Rope must be released from contestant s hand to be a legal catch. Scoring and Penalties Roping calf without releasing loop from hand will disqualify catch. 10
Contestant will be disqualified for any abusive treatment of calf or their horse. The contestant will receive no time should they break the rope away from the saddle horn by hand. However, if the rope should dally around the horn, the contestant may ride forward, undally the rope and then stop their horse to make the rope break away. Time should be taken with the average of two (2) times at all performances. Reruns In any timed event, if an animal escapes from the arena, flag will be dropped and watches stopped. Contestant will get animal back with lap and tap start, and time already spent will be added to time used in qualifying. No rerun will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furninshed by contestant. If the judge sees he has made a error in flagging, he must declare a rerun before the contestant leaves the arena. Officials There shall be two or more timers, a field flag judge, and a line judge. Flag judge will make final decision. A field flag judge must ask contestants if they want a second loop. Once a contestant has been flagged out, they will receive no stock back. If line judge is used, the animal is to be flagged when crossing starting, or finishline, in front of flagman. Q. Goat Tying Time Limit Junior I & II Blue = <45 sec.; Red = <60 sec.; White = participation Intermediate Blue = 30 sec. or less; Red = 30.1 to 45 sec.; White = 45.1 to 60 sec. Senior Blue = 20 sec or less; Red 20.1 to 30 sec.; White 30.1 sec. to 60 sec. Equipment Leather thong, pigging string or rope. (Pigging string a piece of rope used for securing animals) Western type equipment must be used. General Rules Starting lines in goat tying will be subject to ground rules. A clearly visible starting line shall be provided. The stake and the starting line will be permanently marked for the entire go-around. 11
A contestant may enter the arena at the speed of their choice. Arena gate must be closed immediately after they enter the arena and kept closed. Time to be taken between two flags. The horse s nose will be timed as it crosses the starting line. Tie all goats down three (3) times before the event. Have collars the same and snug. Ropes the same length. Goats the same size and weight. Flagmen stand in identical places each performance. Event Rules There should be at least a 15-yard starting line. Starting line will be 100 feet from stake. The goat should be tied to a stake with a rope ten feet in length. Stake should be completely under the ground so that no part of it is visible or above ground. The contestant must be mounted on a horse and must ride from the starting line to the goat, dismount from their horse, throw the goat by hand. If the goat is down when the contestant reaches it, goat must be stood on at least three feet, must clear the goat, and then cross and tie any three legs together with a leather thong, pigging string, or rope and stand clear of the goat. Legs must remain crossed and secure for 6 seconds after completion of tie. To qualify as a legal tie, there will be one or more wraps, and half hitch, hooey or knot. Time will start when the contestant crosses the starting line. Time will stop when contestant signals the completion of the tie. The contestant must move back three (3) feet from the goat before the judge will start the six (6) second time limit on the tie for the goat s legs to remain crossed and tied. Qualified persons other than contestants, will be used for goat holders. Scoring and Penalties Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded. Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal. The tie will be passed on by a field judge and if it is not secure for six seconds, the contestant will receive no time. Contestant will receive no time for touching the goat or tie string after signaling they are finished. If horse runs over the goat or rope, the contestant will be disqualified and receives a no time. Reruns 12
No rerun will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished by contestant in any event. If the goat should break away, it will be left to the judges discretion whether contestant will get a rerun. When clock malfunctions and no time was recorded from the watches, if stock was qualified on in the field, contestant will be given a rerun at a time designated by the judges and the arena director, plus any penalties. If the judge sees he has made an error in flagging, he must declare a rerun before the contestant leaves the arena. R. Goat Tail Untying rules not available at time of this printing. S. Horse Show Ribbons, Trophies and Other Awards Horse Show ribbons will be given in the following manner: Judge will place all class participants as blue, red or white according to the Danish judging system. All blue ribbons will then be considered for first, second, and third place which will receive the following instead of the blue ribbon: 1 st trophy or certificate and 1 st place rosette 2 nd - place rosette 3 rd - place rosette If there are no blue ribbons in class, judge will indicate the top of that class who will receive the class trophy. 13
VI. Horse Medal Point System A. This system will be used to determine the following awards: Best First Year Girl Best First Year Boy Top Overall Project Horse Achievement medal Horse bronze, silver and gold medals B. Points will be calculated by the Gooding County Horse Committee with the assistance of the Extension Office. C. Members must have met all project requirements in order to be considered for awards. VII. Horse Medal Point System - Calculations 1 point earned for participating in each of the following: 4-H camp as a camper or counselor (only 1 camp point will be counted) FCS Skills Contest District Horse Show Teen Conference State Horse Judging, Demonstrations, Public Speaking, Horse Bowl 2 points earned for participating in each of the following: County Awards Program 3 points earned for participating in each of the following: District Horse Judging, Demonstration/Illustrated Talk, Public Speaking, Horse Bowl & Hippology Contests Horsin Around Overnight Camp 5 points earned for participating in the following: Gooding County Horse Show County Demonstration Contest (must be horse related) Horse Skill-A-Thon Record Book Points: Blue, 3; Red, 2; White, 1 Interview Points: Blue, 5; Red, 4; White, 3 Bronze Medal: Silver Medal Gold Medal 12 to 15 points 16 to 20 points 21 and up 14
VIII. Grievances A. Grievances concerning judging: Protests involving judging must be submitted in writing to the Gooding County Extension Office (for record books) and the Horse Show Chairperson (for the horse show), who, will then submit the grievance to the Extension faculty. Protests must state plainly the cause of the complaint, the event, and the individuals involved. Protests must be received by the Extension Office or Horse Show Chair within six hours after the cause of the protest. B. Grievances other than judging: Problems and requests for information should be routed by appropriate channels to receive prompt action from a responsible person. Grievances will be dealt with at the lowest level of responsibility. The correct chain of action is written below: Project and/or Club Leader Horse Show Chair 4-H Program Coordinator Initial requests for information and notification of problems may be verbal to speed the action process. Written suggestions aimed at improving horse policies and procedures will be accepted by County Extension faculty, and will be considered for insertion into this document. Grievances not settled to the satisfaction of the claimant may be appealed by a signed protest submitted to the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee will consist of the following persons: County Extension Faculty County Horse Committee Fair Manager (if necessary) FFA representative (if necessary) All horse grievances will be presented to this committee by the claimant, with no extra persons attending. 15
HORSE SHOW CLASSES and AWARDS Classes Divisions Award Colt Showmanship Exhibit Colts 2 years and under Cash Showmanship at Halter Senior, Intermediate, Junior 2, Junior 1, Novice Trophy Junior 1, Novice (Five Years & Under Horse Division will show in members s age division) Walk-Trot Members will show in member s age division) Bareback Equitation Senior, Intermediate, Junior 2 Cash English Pleasure English Equitation All ages, Walk-Trot, Novice, 5 Yrs & Under Horse Cash All ages, Walk-Trot, Novice, 5 Yrs & Under Horse Cash Western Pleasure Senior, Intermediate, Junior 2, Junior 1, Cash 5 yrs & under Horse, Novice, Walk-Trot Western Horsemanship Senior, Intermediate, Junior 2, Junior 1 Cash 5 yrs & under Horse, Novice, Walk-Trot Open Horsemanship Draw All ages Cash Western Reining Senior, Intermediate, Junior 2, 5 yrs & under Horse Cash Freestyle Reining Senior, Intermediate, Junior, Novice, Walk-Trot Cash 5 yrs & under Horse Western Riding Senior, Intermediate, Junior Cash Trail Senior, Intermediate, Junior Cash 5 Yrs & Under Horse, Novice, Walk-Trot Working Ranch Trail Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 Cash Working Ranch, Single Cow Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 Cash Dummy Roping All ages Cash Ranch Roping All ages (with permission) Cash Goat Tying Senior, Intermediate Cash Goat Tail Untying Junior 2, Junior 1 Cash Pole Bending Senior, Intermediate, Junior Cash Walt-Trot, Novice Barrel Racing Senior, Intermediate, Junior Cash Walk-Trot, Novice Top Record Book Senior, Intermediate, Junior 2, Junior 1 Plaque 16