Horse - Georgia 4-H

Learning Outcome

Acquire a better knowledge of horses and develop skills in the selection of horses, while learning the basic principles of animal science.
Learn to identify breeds of horses, evaluate conformation and performance.
Learn how to make individual decisions and support them with oral statements, which develops skills of decision making, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Develop leadership abilities, build character, assume citizenship responsibilities, and develop skills, knowledge, and attitudes for lifelong use.

Eligibility

Cloverleaf/Juniors: 4th – 8th grade.
Seniors: 9th – 12th grade.
Counties cannot mix grade divisions to comprise a team. All members on the Junior team must meet the Junior grade requirements, and all members on the Senior team must meet the Senior grade requirements.
Counties may bring up to 20 senior team members and 20 non-senior members (Cloverleaf’s and Junior’s). A team must consist of a minimum of three (3) or four (4) participants. Individuals may also participate. A county’s team score will be the sum of the top three scores from that county.
Counties cannot mix grade divisions to comprise a team. All members on the Junior team must meet the Junior grade requirements and all members on the Senior team must meet the Senior grade requirements. A team must consist of a minimum of three (3) or four (4) participants. Individuals may also participate. A county’s team score will be the sum of the top three scores from that county.
Eligibility is determined by the grade level during the 2023-2024 school year.

Competition Guidelines

Study and learn to judge equine.
Enter a community and/or county 4-H horse judging contest.
The State Horse Judging Competition is expected to be comprised six (6) to eight (8) classes with two (2) to three (3) conformation and four (4) to five (5) performance classes.
Junior contestants will give two (2) set of oral reasons (one conformation and one performance).
Senior contestants will give three (3) sets of oral reasons.
One non-reasons class will be designated as a class for questions for both Juniors and Seniors. With a maximum of 50 points, like a set of reasons, contestants may refer to their notes on the class and record their answers on their contest sheet. Each incorrect answer will result in 3 points deducted from the possible 50 points. Contestants should expect between 5 to 10 questions on a single class (same class for junior and senior division).
List of Possible Classes to be Evaluated:
- Conformation Class: Stock Horse, Hunters In Hand, Saddle Seat Type conformation class (American Saddlebreds, Arabians, Morgans, Hackney Ponies, Tennessee Walking Horses, Paso Fino, Draft Horses, Mules or Draft Horses).
- Performance Class: Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Ranch Horse Pleasure, Ranch Riding, Saddle Seat Type Pleasure-Trotting, Saddle Seat Type Pleasure-NonTrotting, Country Pleasure-Non-Trotting, Reining, Equitation, or Horsemanship. Any class requiring a pattern will provide a written pattern for each contestant at the contest.
- NOTE: Teams should prepare for the classes normally offered each year: stock horse halter, hunters in hand, hunters under saddle, ranch or western pleasure, and hunt seat equitation. Additional classes are secured as show schedules and conflicts are determined. Every effort is made to ensure quality classes for this state competition, and new interest from other groups may provide an opportunity for a greater variety of classes this year.
The State 4-H Hippology Contest is a separate contest, but four classes from the State Horse Judging Contest will be used for points earned in Hippology. Participants who compete in both Hippology and Horse Judging Contest must pay two separate participation fees.

Awards

All participants will receive an award pin.
Medals will be given to the top three winning Senior and Junior teams and Senior and Junior Overall High individuals at the state contest.
The first and second place Senior teams will represent Georgia at the Southern Regional Horse Championships in Perry, Georgia, in August.
Only the first place Senior team members are eligible to compete at the Western National Round-Up in Denver, Colorado.
- Members of the State Winning (First Place) Team are ineligible to compete as team members in future years.
- Team members may compete as individuals in State 4-H Horse Judging Contests and may be recognized as State Winners as High Individuals.
- State Winning High Individuals who are not members of the State Winning (First Place) Team are permitted to compete in future years as either individuals or as team members.