No matter what your interest in horses may be, there is something for everyone in the 4-H horse program! Youth involved in the 4-H horse program area learn responsibility and commitment to a project. The time invested in caring for, riding and training horses improves the quality of life for youth while at the same time teaching life and work skills such as time management, record keeping, problem solving, goal setting and many others.
Members do not need to own a horse to participate in the 4-H horse program. 4-H members will learn about horses at their local 4-H club meetings as well as at state 4-H horse workshops and events. In addition, 4-H members have fun competing in educational contests at the county, state and even national level. While 4-H is not a riding instruction program, members do sometimes ride horses as part of 4-H their activities and 4-H does sponsor horse shows.
For more information, contact your local 4-H office.
Contests Rules & Resources
The Horse Bowl, Hippology and Horse Judging contests are held each year at both the local and state levels. Each county or region holds these competitions in the fall or winter to select both a junior and senior team to compete at State 4-H Horse Round Up, usually held in April. Once selected the county teams study and practice to prepare for state competition. Senior age 4-H members, ages 14-18, compete for one of the four slots on the State Horse Bowl, Hippology or Horse Judging team. These state teams will represent the Massachusetts 4-H Horse Program at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Round Up in Louisville, Kentucky in November. In addition to Horse Bowl, Hippology and Horse Judging, a Communications team is also selected at the State Visual Presentation Day. The cost of the trip to Kentucky is funded in large part by the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation.
Hippology
Horse Bowl
Horse Judging
MA 4-H Horse Roundup
Watch for 2024 dates!
APPLICATION FOR MASSACHUSETTS COACHES & ASSISTANT COACHES FOR HORSE BOWL AND HIPPOLOGY
Team Coach and Assistant Coach Application
Horse Show & Health Regulations
4-H members are able to exhibit their riding skills at local and state 4-H Horse Shows.
State 4-H Horse Show
2023 State 4-H Horse Show Entry Book
2023 State 4-H Show Pattern Book - 6.21.23
The Regional 4-H Horse Show
September 9 & 10, 2023 Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton Entry Information on the website www.regional4hhorse.com
Franklin County 4-H Horse Show
2023 Franklin County Horse Show Entry Book
Norfolk County 4-H Horse Show
Watch for details on the 2023 Show!
Big E - New England 4-H Horse Show
Watch for the packet on the Big E site - coming soon!
** The Eastern States Exposition is requiring all equines entering the grounds to have a Health Certificate dated within 30 days and proof of vaccination for EHV-1.** A youth applying to the New England 4-H Horse Show (Big E) needs to have on file by May 1st of the current year a Verification Form. Youth exhibiting a horse, must be 13 years old as of January 1st current year and a junior leader must be 12 years old as of January 1st current year.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOWS
2023 MA Animal Health Rules for Fairs
2023 New England Animal Health Rules for Fairs
Massachusetts 4-H Horse Program Policies and Forms
All volunteers running 4-H horse shows must comply with 4-H policy and procedures.
2022 New England 4-H Horse Show Rulebook
MA Addendum to NE Horse Show Rule Book May 2022 rev
2020 NE Bit Guidelines and Rules
Policy for Offering 4-H Classes at Open Horse Shows
Release Statement for 4-H Horse Shows
Horse Program Insurance Requirement
MA 4-H Horse Verification Form - To be completed by April 10th if you plan on showing at the New England 4-H Horse Show
Horse Show Stewards Report
Must be filled out after every 4-H Horse Show and filed with Carrie Chickering-Sears
Other Resources
2023 NE 4-H Judges List
Horse Show Planning Guide
4-H Fitting and Showmanship Manual
Biosecurity for Horses
4-H Fair and Animal Show Safety Guidelines
Horse Advisory Council
Membership for State Horse Advisory Council (HAC)
The membership list is updated each year at the Annual meeting held in January. If you are interested in representing your county at the State Horse Advisory Council meetings, please speak with your county educator.
2022-2023 State Horse Advisory Council Representatives
- Barnstable: Jennifer Lewis
- Berkshire: Open
- Bristol: Nick Barishian, Chesley Chmura
- Essex: Nancy McCarthy
- Franklin: Arthur Martin
- Hampden: Penny Blomgren, Brie-Anna Massoni
- Hampshire: Anne Blizniak, Carolyn Ritter
- Middlesex: Suzanne Ferris, Lanea Tripp, Darlene Welch
- Norfolk: Shari Ackerman-Morris, Nora Reardon
- Plymouth: Priscilla Chandler, Molly Vollmer
- Worcester: Karla Barrows
- 4-H Staff: Carrie Chickering-Sears
Meeting Dates for State HAC
** Meetings are held either by Zoom at 7:00 pm or in-person at a site to be announced prior to the meeting.
2023 Dates
May 17, 7:00pm Zoom
