Welcome to the Fillmore County 4-H Horse Project! The horse project here in Fillmore County has opportunities abound! The HPDC thought it might be helpful to create this informational booklet to help you get started with your project. WHAT/WHO IS THE HPDC? The Horse Project Development Committee is made up of horse project members, parents and community volunteers who provide guidance and support for other horse project members, leaders and parents. Their goal is a meaningful and rewarding growth and learning experience for everyone involved. They manage all aspects of the project. Anyone who is interested in helping or making decisions at the county level is welcome to join. The annual meeting is held in the month of November. WHAT IS THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE? They are the elected youth & adult officers of the HPDC: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Reporter/Historian. The executive committee is voted in at the November annual meeting and conduct the business at the monthly meetings generally held the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at Fillmore County Extension Office. You can find out the dates and times on the Fillmore County website calendar. The officers take on the responsibilities of preparing and maintaining the Fillmore County Fair horse activities. WHERE DO I GET THE INFORMATION I NEED FOR MY PROJECT? Extension Office: http://www3.extension.umn.edu/county/fillmore or lofgr053@umn.edu or 507-765-3896. Available for calendar of events, county fair schedule, downloads of forms, fair registration, enrollment, 4-H bi-weekly updates and more. MN Horse Project Website: The state 4-H horse project website has a wealth of information and downloadable materials. http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-h/projects/animalscience/horse/ MN 4-H Horse Library: The library is extensive with hundreds of books and videos available for rent. A deposit is required, which is held on file. The library s catalog is available on the state website. MN 4-H Program Rule book: http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-h/projects/animalscience/horse/ Fillmore County Addendum to Rule book: This is also provided through the extension office website downloads. The HPDC authored this document feeling that there should be some exceptions to the official rule book that would better serve our 4-Hers. Facebook: Fillmore County Horse Kidz. Information and meeting updates and more can be viewed. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HORSE PROJECTS? Horse: The 4-Her is responsible for the care and management of their own horse, a family horse or a leased horse, which they may take to the county fair. Horse Training: The 4-Her must be signed up for the horse project. The 4-Her does their own training starting with a foal and eventually advancing through 6 levels of training. Horse Related: The 4-Her must be signed up for the horse project. This project allows you to create an exhibit to demonstrate what you have learned in the horse project for the county fair. Horseless Horse: The 4-Her must be signed up for the horse project. This project is for 4-Hers who do not have a horse of their own. An exhibit may be created for entry at the county fair.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE THERE IN THE HORSE PROJECT? The following activities provide excellent educational opportunities. They also provide the opportunity for advancement from regional competitions to state and national competitions. Contact the extension office if you are interested. Quiz Bowl: Some of the things members study for in this activity are; breeds, diseases, nutrition, conformation, anatomy and general terms. The competition is conducted with a buzzer system and teams of 4 from one county putting their horse trivia knowledge against another county. Regional competitions are in March, state competitions are held in April. 4-Hers must be at least in 3rd grade to participate. Horse Judging: This activity allows a member to acquire a working knowledge of the ideal horse and/or rider. Members find this information helpful in selecting their own horses and improving their riding skills. Competitions involve members comparing their placing of a class against official judges. Members improve their confidence and speaking skills when giving oral reasons for their placements of a class. Competition is held during the state show in September. 4-Hers must have completed 6th grade to participate at the State Show. Hippology: This activity has 4 phases of competition; a written test (previous quiz bowl knowledge is an advantage), horse judging, stations (matching terms with pictures or objects), and a team problem. Competition is held during the state show in September, so members must have completed 6th grade to participate. Speech and/or Demonstration: The competition for horse related speeches and demonstrations is at the state show in September. Speech and Demonstration is open to any 4-H members. They do not have to be enrolled in the Horse project. The speech or demonstration must be related to horses or the horse industry. 4-Hers must have completed 6th grade to participate. Drill Team: This activity is designed to provide 4-H members with the opportunity to develop drill team skills as well as leadership and teamwork skills; and to enhance the 4-H Horse Project while creating a positive environment for the youth to develop mentoring skills with other youth. At the county level youth 3rd grade and up may participate in Drill Team. To participate at the regional or state level the 4-Her must have completed the 6th grade. WHAT FORMS DO I NEED AND WHEN DO I NEED TO FILE THEM WITH THE EXTENSION OFFICE? General Enrollment Form: Best if completed by January, so that project communications are received. MN Horse ID Form: Completed by May 15 th online. Horse Training Forms, Stalling Forms, Workers sign-up for food stand and horse shows & Fair Registration: Need to be completed by June 15th. Points Form: Turned in by 10/8/2018 IS THERE A MENTOR-SHIP PROGRAM? Yes. If you don t have someone to help you with your project, contact the extension office. An HPDC member will pair you with an older/more experienced 4-H horse member to help you. There is a Clover bud horse program, which pairs the clover bud and family with an older member. Clover buds are introduced to the 4-H horse program and get to work with an older 4-H member to be able to show at the county fair. WHERE CAN I PRACTICE WITH MY HORSE? Educational clinics are offered in June and July before County Fair at the fairgrounds in Preston. Clinic schedule is generally posted in May. These clinics are lead by local clinicians and are very educational and generally run for 2 hours starting at 6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to learn, meet other horse members and get your horse used to other horses and the fairgrounds! Clinics are designated for different areas: English, showmanship,
western pleasure, horsemanship, gaming and clover buds. The HPDC suggests each 4-Her attend at least 2 clinics. The Fillmore County fairground s horse arenas are open all year round for practicing. * Clinic cancellation notices will be announced through KFIL Radio (103.1 FM) and Fillmore County Horse Kidz Facebook page. WHAT ARE SAFETY CHECKS? 4-Hers in 3rd-5th grade and anyone else who hasn t competed one before are strongly encourage by the HPDC to complete a safety check. Safety checks can be completed at scheduled clinics. The safety check is not a pass or fail test. It is meant as an opportunity for the new/young 4-Her to meet a HPDC member who will answer any questions and provide safety suggestions to the 4-Her. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE COUNTY FAIR? 1. It is usually held the third week in July. 2. Camping is available on the fairgrounds. See the http://www.fillmorecountyfair.com/fair-eventschedule.html for details. 3. There are 2-3 days of 4-H horse shows. Tuesday: Verification at horse barn area (Verify class registration, exhibitor number and paperwork handed out.), stalling of horses and State show qualifying classes of Horse Training, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, English Equitation and English Pleasure class are the usual classes. You may decline (scratch) a class at any time prior to the class performance, however, once you scratch you may not be added back to the class. Wednesday: State show qualifying classes of Trail, Jumping Figure 8, Barrel Racing, Pole Weaving and Key Hole are the usual classes. Clover buds will show also. Thursday: Rhythm and Hooves and Drill Team. State Horse trips winner need to have decided if taking a trip by 5:00 pm. Friday: Preston Saddle Club sponsored Open Horse Show. (Not a 4-H event.) Saturday: Open Horse Fun Show. (Not a 4-H event.) Sunday: All horses, decorations and displays including name cards and bedding are required to remain in the appropriate exhibit area and SHALL NOT be removed until check out on Sunday 7/22/2018 at 8:00 am. At 8:00 am on Sunday 7/22/2018, a whistle will be sounded and you will then be able to remove horse, bedding and decorations. You need to contact a HPDC adult officer to check your stall and collect the nomination form. All decorations, sawdust, tack and garbage need to be removed prior to leaving fair. 4. Everyone shares in the work of putting on these show days and clean-up. Show day co-chairs organize work lists and contact people to work. Sign up forms are requested by 6/15 with other fair registration forms. Workers schedule will posted by the beginning of July. 5. What to wear for the show: please refer to the Minnesota State Horse Show rule book or contact a HPDC officer. 6. What tack do I need? Tack must be clean, fit well and be in good repair. Please refer to the Minnesota State Horse Show rule book for specifics or contact a HPDC officer. 7. Horses are stalled for the duration of the fair. If a horse leaves early, premiums and any state show trips earned may be forfeited, unless proper paper work has been filled out prior to the start of the Fillmore County Fair. You will need to contact the Fillmore County Extension Office for specific information and deadlines. 8. Herdsmanship: Sawdust is provided by the Fillmore County Fair board. It can be put in stalls after 1:00 pm Monday of fair. Butt ropes are required, eye hooks are provided at the back of the stalls to attach them to. Horse and tack stalls are to be kept clean. Feed and hay can be stored in tack stalls.
Many choose to decorate their stalls, but it isn t required. Decorations need to be safe for animals and humans. Lights need to be high enough so horses are not able to reach at any time. Decorating can start anytime after 1:00 pm Monday of fair, at which time the stalling assignments will be posted. This is generally a club coordinated activity. Herdsmanship is judged per family. The contest is conducted to help members learn skills in making a presentable exhibit for the public as well as courtesy, cooperation, neatness and proper care of animals. Livestock exhibits will be evaluated throughout fair. The family who gets first place per species gets an award at annual Fillmore County 4-H Federation banquet in October. 9. Health concerns: A current negative coggins test is required to show at the county fair. To receive your show number; you must have turned in a copy of this test result. De-worming and vaccination of your horse is strongly recommended. There is a veterinarian on call, provided by the Fillmore County Fair board, during the entire fair. Veterinarian phone number will be posted through out the fair grounds. You will need to use this veterinarian when your animal is on the fairgrounds or the charges will be at your expense. 11. Any complaints/problems should be directed to an adult HPDC member. There will be a HPDC adult contact person each day of the fair with phone number available. If you have questions or concerns you may contact them. Official complaints should be filed with the extension office on the fairgrounds. 12. How are state show trips awarded? Please refer to the Minnesota State Horse Show rule book. 13. Fillmore County 4-H Horse Barn and Arena Rules -No one on horseback in barn. -No roughhousing in the barn. -No bareback riding during fair or 4-H event. -No roping of people or things in barn. -No horses around bleachers and crow s nest. -Riding on non-show days is restricted to arenas. -No horses on midway. -All horse washing to be done at horse wash rack. -No smoking in barn. -No water fights in or around barn and arenas. -Participants need to be in closed-toed footwear in barn. -Cloverbuds may not be in control of an animal. -Hay bags need to be securely tied at or above the horse s withers or removed at night. -Water buckets need to be chest high of the horse at all times. -Horses need to be fed, watered and stalls cleaned by 9:00 am. Everyday. -Arenas close at 10:00 pm. -Stalls and horses need to be ready for barn closing by 10:15 pm. -Barn closes at 10:30 pm (only signed up members/parents may stay overnight in barn). If you are going to be getting back to the barn after 10:30, because of another 4-H obligation, contact the HPDC officer in charge in advance. -Half hour limit to green arena when not riding (participant/assigned person must be at arena). -If registered in walk/trot classes, no loping permitted at fair. -Assigned adult at barn at all time. -Anyone participating in events (open horse shows, rodeos) not sponsored by 4-H, are not under 4-H rules from ½ hour prior to event, during event and 15 minutes after event.
14. Premium book rules: a. No stallions will be allowed at the county fair. b. Horses are to remain in stalls unless showing, at the wash rack or exercising in the horse arenas. c. No bareback riding is permitted during the fair or any 4-H events. d. Exhibitors must preregister for classes in which they wish to compete. You may decline (scratch) a class at any time prior to the class performance, however, once you scratch you may not be added back onto the class. e. Show order of classes will be at the discretion of the horse show committee. All reasonable efforts will be made to post and announce the show order prior to the show. Horse exhibitors are responsible for making sure they report to the judging arena when their class is called. f. Maximum of 2 horses may be shown at the fair (an additional training horse may be brought if not used in any other classes). One horse may be used for these classes: Showmanship, Western pleasure, Western horsemanship, English equitation, English pleasure, Trail. A second horse may be used in all timed events (gaming) plus Showmanship and Trail. Only one horse may be used for Showmanship or Trail. g. Exhibitors, parents, or other persons may not approach or communicate with the judge without prior consent of the show committee. h. A 3-second penalty for each obstacle knocked down will be used. A disqualification will occur for not completing the prescribed pattern or at judges descretion. i. The 10-point system will be used for the 4-H Horse Show Trip Selection Process. j. All 4-Hers participating in any 4-H sponsored mounted activity are required to wear properly fastened ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear. Helmet use is required when mounted. This policy also extends to 4-H volunteers when they are working with 4-H youth in a 4-H volunteer role during mounted activities. k. A complete show order for qualifying classes (Tuesday and Wednesday) will be available upon registration at the fair. Breaks will be taken as necessary. l. Anyone participating in events (open horse shows, rodeos) not sponsored by 4-H, are not under 4-H rules from ½ hour prior to event, during event and 15 minutes after event. ** If entering walk/trot classes, you are only eligible for the following classes: Halter Showmanship, Western Pleasure Walk/Trot, Western Horsemanship Walk/Trot and Trail Walk/Trot. ** Stock type breeds: Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Paint, etc. Pleasure type breeds: Arabian, Morgan, American Saddlebred, etc. You can also refer to the Minnesota 4-H Horse Program Rule Book: http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-h/projects/animal-science/horse/docs/4-h-horseproject-rulebook.pdf WHAT IS THE STATE SHOW? The MN State 4-H Horse Show is the equivalent of a state fair trip for other projects. This 4-day show is usually held 2 weeks after Labor Day weekend at the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. A 4-Her must have completed 6th grade to participate and been awarded a trip at the Fillmore County Fair. ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO RECEIVE RECOGNITION BESIDES SHOWING AT THE FAIR? Yes!! At the beginning of the year you will receive a Horse Project points sheet. You keep track of all of your horse events with your horse. The sheet is turned in at the end of the year. Points will be assigned for all of your listed events. The Horse Project Annual Banquet is usually held in January. Awards are given to everyone who turns in a sheet! WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM TO RUN THE COUNTY PROJECT? Working at tip nights at Pizza Ranch in Stewartville, MN and food sales at clinics prior to the fair. Other fundraising ideas are welcome. WHAT IS THE MONEY USED FOR? The money raised is used to buy equipment, pay for clinic instructors, team apparel, horse show expenses, exhibitor fees, support regional, state and national trips and annual banquet awards.
We hope you have a ton of fun learning about your horse, improving your horsemanship skills and making new friends within the Fillmore County Horse Project. Remember if you have any questions, the extension office can connect you with a Horse Project Development Committee member who will be more than happy to help! February, 2004 Revised March 2014 Revised February 2017 Revised February 2018