For those planning to go to the Alachua County 4-H horse show on September 18, 2004, here is a schedule of planned activities to help prepare you for the horse show.
Every Friday before the show we will be practicing specifically for the show. This is not instead of lessons. You must still be taking your scheduled lessons as these days will be for learning things such as what a judge looks for, what you should wear, and how your horse should look.
These practices will start at 5:00 and run approximately 2 hours.
If you are going to show, you want to look and do your best.
Date Learning Activity
September 3, 2004 Riding, show ring etiquette; class descriptions
and what classes you should enter. Being prepared to enter the
ring on time including warm-up and practice. September 10, 2004 Continue practice for shows; the difference
between equitation and pleasure classes. What to do and what not to do at a
horse show. September 17, 2004 The day before the show. Everything you and
your horse will need is packed, ready to take to the show. Your horse is to
be bathed, groomed, and braided. As you can see, there are only a few weeks before the show, so if you plan to
ride you must attend each practice. Lessons will continue as usual. If
there is a need for additional lessons or practice, you will be notified.
If you are going to go, you must be prepared to do your best.
August 27, 2004 Showmanship, appropriate clothing and attire,
preparation for a show, understanding the horse show classes and which one
you should enter. Clipping, trimming, bathing, and braiding your horse
in preparation for a show.
What are are these classes and which ones should I enter?
This is a list of the classes at the Alachua County 4-H horse show and a brief description as well as the rules.
1. Grooming and Conditioning 2. Model Mares, no ponies 3. Model Geldings, no ponies 4. Model Pony 5. Walk/Trot Showmanship, Jr/Sr* see below 6. Jr. Showmanship* see below 7. Sr. Showmanship* see below 8. Adult Showmanship* see below 9. Walk Trot Schooling 10. Walk Trot Pleasure, Jr/Sr 11. Walk Trot Equitation, Jr/Sr 12. Jr English Pleasure 13. Sr English Pleasure 14. Adult English Pleasure 15. Jr. English Equitation 16. Sr. English Pleasure 17. Adult English Equitation 18. Show Hack 19. Hunter Hack, 2' 20. Cross Rails (trot or canter) 21. Pony Working Hunter, 2'3" 22. Working Hunter - (no ponies), 2'6" 23. Jr. Equitation Over Fences 24. Sr. Equitation Over Fences 25. Adult Equitation Over Fences 26. Handy Hunter *27. Intro A 28. Intro B 29. Training Level 1 30. Training Level 2 31. Training Level 3 32. Training Level 4 Other tests available upon advanced request.
*Dressage Division from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Games Classes from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Western Classes begin no sooner than 1:00 p.m.
33. Grooming and Conditioning 34. Color Class E/W 35. Mares stock type, no ponies 36. Geldings stock type, no ponies 37. Pony Halter - stock type 38. Walk/Trot Showmanship, Jr/Sr* see below 39. Jr. Showmanship* see below 40. Sr. Showmanship* see below 41. Adult Showmanship* see below 42. Walk Trot Schooling, Jr/Sr 43. Walk Trot Pleasure, Jr/Sr 44. Walk Trot Horsemanship, Jr/Sr 45. Adult Walk Trot Schooling E/W 46. Bareback E/W 47. Command E/W 48. Jr Western Pleasure 49. Sr Western Pleasure 50. Adult Western Pleasure 51. Jr. Western Horsemanship 52. Sr Western Horsemanship 53. Adult Western Horsemanship 54. Reining 55. Western Riding **56. Walk/Trot Trail E/W 57. Jr Trail E/W 58. Sr Trail E/W 59. Adult Trail E/W 60. Jr. Pole Bending 61. Sr Pole Bending 62. Adult Pole Bending 63. Jr Barrels 64. Sr Barrels 65. Adult Barrels 66. Texas Barrels 67. Stake Race 68. Keyhole Race **Trail Classes from 1:00-4:00 pm
Post Entry Fees: $7 per class for all riders (4-H and non 4-H)
Grounds Fee: $5.00 (no fee if using a stall) 4-H Parents & Volunteers receive 4-H fee rates.
Stall Fee: $20.00
Games Classes will run from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and Western Classes will begin at 1:00 pm.
Trail Classes will be from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Dressage classes from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
PRE-ENTRY MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOON WEDNESDAY BEFORE THE SHOW. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Send to: Alachua County 4-H, 2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville 32609. E-Mail to [email protected] Register on-line at http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/4h/horse/horsereginfo.htm
Additional information call Suzanne Holton (352) 485-2230 or Susan Emerson (386) 462-7972.
1. Junior riders must be age 8-12 years as of 9/1/04. Senior riders must be age 13-18 years as of 9/1/04. Adult riders - ages 19 & up
2. Must be 8 years of age by September 1, 2004 of the current 4-H year.
3. To be eligible for 4-H Fee rate, youth must be enrolled at least 7 days prior to the scheduled show.
4. Exhibitors may compete in all divisions. Appropriate attire recommended.
5. Rider must show an original or notarized copy of a current negative Coggins test upon entrance to the show grounds, or show secretary, at every show, NO EXCEPTIONS!
6. Riders must submit "Statement of Understanding" to show secretary prior to first class ridden.
7. All State of Florida health regulations must be followed.
8. Entry fees must be paid at time of registration, or signed check left with secretary. Class fees refunded on any canceled class.
9. E/W on show classes indicates the class is open to both Hunter and Western riders.
10. Unsportsmanlike conduct, cruelty to animals, or excessive rail coaching shall be cause for dismissal by judge or show management.
11. Walk-Trot: horse/rider combination must never have cantered in previous show competition. Walk/Trot riders may progress to canter classes at same show, but may no longer compete in walk trot classes at future shows.
12. In support of the 4-H Horse Phiosppy and to insure maximum acceptance of responsibilities through learning experiences, only a 4-H or non 4-H youth exhibitor is allowed to be riding the horse while on showgrounds. "Tuning up" by persons other than the exhibitor is prohibited. Lunging (in a halter with no tack or equipment on the animal), by someone other than the exhibitor is permitted. Failure to comply may result in disqualification of the contestant.
13. Decisions of judges final. Protests to be filed in writing with $25 cash fee to division chair by end of show. Cash fee refunded if protest upheld by Appeals Committee. Appeals Committee shall consist of 2 adults and 2 teens appointed by the 4-H Program Leader on the day of the show.
14. Six place awards per class. Daily High Point awarded to Junior, Senior, Walk Trot and Adult rider/horse combination scoring the most points per division. Entrant MUST indicate choice of division on the entry form. Participation in Showmanship class is required for high point eligibility, except in the Games Division, however it will be used as a tie breaker for all divisions, including games. To accumulate year end points the horse must be shown in a majority of the shows. One horse per division and must be exhibited in showmanship. Points are scored on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. If less than 6 riders, first place equals number of riders in the class.
15. To accumulate Year End Points the horse/rider combination must show in a majority of our shows. The total will be an accumulation of the points tabulated at each individual show, and therefore participation in Showmanship is required, except in Games. Additionally a 4-H Versatility Award will be computed for year end. Please see the Show Book for more information.
16. Pony Heights: Hunter - 14.2 & under; Western - 13.2 and under.
17. Classes held for one minute gate call. Fees not refunded if missed.
18. 4-H reserves the right to cancel or combine classes with less than 3 entries and add a class for 3 entries.
19. Show management may modify or alter any class procedures, obstacles, or patterns due to safety concerns.
20. The official judge may be called upon to rule on any questionable equipment. 21. Bareback, Command and Trail Classes are combined, E/W, with one set of ribbons. Held during western portion of show.
22. Speed Events: In the event an automatic timer is not available, the average time from two stop watches constitute official time. If a watch malfunctions, the rider may take the time from one watch or request a re-run.
23. No re-run given rider for failure of personal equipment or accident.
24. Striking a horse in front of cinch or throat latch, other than the open hand is a disqualification.
25. String, rubber bands, other material to tie feet/legs in stirrups are not allowed. Bandages (leg wraps or polo) are not permitted in any class.
26. Schooling over fences shall be allowed as posted by the Show Division Chairman.
27. For a description of classes, see the State 4-H Show Book, or contact the division chair.
28. All youth riders are required to wear an SEI or SEI/ASTM approved safety equestrian helmet with chin harness in all classes and all warm-up and make-up areas. Additionally, appropriate footwear and approved helmets must be worn, with chin harness fastened, at all times when mounted. This pertains to the entire show grounds from the time of arrival until departure. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
29. No stallions will be permitted on grounds. No dogs, except on leash. Keep horses away from secretary's area.
30. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor's parent/guardian, or exhibitor, if of legal age, to determine if he/she is able to compete safely. When no parent is present, the division chairman has the right to determine this.
31. Management may stop or cancel a class in progress due to storm, accident or other emergency.
32. Rules not addressed here on in the State 4-H Horse Show Rule Book will be governed by USA Equestrian for English and Dressage and AQHA for Western.
33. The Alachua Co. Extension Service & 4-H Horse Project committee are not responsible for any accident or loss that may occur to any animal, person, or property, nor damage to vehicle. The exhibitor shall hold harmless and indemnify above against any such accident or loss.
A winning showmanship presentation is one in which the horse remains by the side of the handler while performing forward walking and trotting, stops, back-ups, and turns on the haunches. The horse shows no negative reaction, i.e. ears pinned, or mouth active, but appears calm, and bright throughout the pattern. The handlers cues with the lead shank are barely perceptible so that the presentation appears as a "dance" between partners.
To train your horse to follow you, his dance partner, he must be able to read and follow your movements clearly. You must have a different body position for every maneuver that you wish your horse to perform. Each body position must be clear and distinct from another and you must move smoothly from one position to the other giving your horse ample time to interpret your movements.
The movements I teach my students are as follows:
Turn on the haunches: Handler faces horses shoulder with handlers shoulder parallel to horses body.
Walk forward: Handler faces forward with horses throatlatch level with handlers shoulder.
Back-up: Handler faces direct backward with his shoulders perpendicular to the horse.
Set Up: Handler stands level with the horse's nose, facing the horse with his shoulders at a forty five degree angle to the horses body. Practice moving from one position to the other smoothly and efficiently making each position separate and distinct. You should find yourself relying less on your lead shank to cue your horse.