Robeson County 4-H: Horse Program Update

NC 4-H Horse Program Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue 1 February 2020

NC State 4-H Horse Bowl Competition

Teams across the state competed in District Horse Bowl contests throughout January and February to earn a spot to compete in the State Horse Bowl contest on March 7th at NC State University. The qualifying teams are as follows:

Junior Division: Johnston, Craven, Union- Schlueter, Union- Schiflett, Alamance, Orange- DeVore, Wake-Newton, Nash, Burke, Rutherford, Wake-Lane (Wildcard), Transylvania (Wildcard),Orange-Harry (First Alt)

Mixed Division: Duplin, New Hanover, Cabarrus, Gaston-Waelz, Alamance, Rockingham, Currituck, Perquimans, Caldwell, Burke, Gaston-Williams (Wildcard), Chatham (Wildcard), Wilson (First Alt)

Senior Division: Johnston-Worth, Johnston-McAlinn, Union-Thomas, Union-Taylor, Chatham, Alamance, Wake, Pitt, Rutherford, Orange (Wildcard), Halifax (Wildcard)

Teams that qualified for the State Horsebowl Contest must register online by February 20. Click here for more details »

NC State 4-H Hippology Contest

March 7, 2020– The NC State 4-H Hippology Contest is held in conjunction with the state Horse Bowl Contest at NCSU in Riddick Hall.

Each county is eligible to enter any number of Junior or Senior teams of four members in the state contest. The total individual scores for the three high team members will constitute the team score and be used in determining team awards. Individual entries will be accepted. All participants in the contest will be eligible for individual awards or recognition. Senior and Junior members are also able to compete in a special Rookie division for first time Hippology competitors.

Cloverbud members (ages 5-7) will be able to compete in a special Cloverbud division. This will be a noncompetitive event and all participants will receive recognition of participation. There is no cost to enter, but youth must be pre-registered on the contest entry form.

Hippology online entry form » All entries are due by February 20

Click here for more event details »

The Hotel room block at the Wingate expires on February 20. As of 2/14/20, 13 of the 20 reserved rooms had been booked. If you need to make room reservations for Horsebowl or Hippology, please do so before this deadline.

Wingate by Wyndham State Arena Raleigh/Cary 6115 Corporate Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone : (919) 480-8693 Queen Rooms: $99

Direct Booking Link

2020 Rules and Regulations Manual

The NC 4-H Horse Program Rules and Regulations Manual and NC 4-H Horse Program Dressage Manual have been updated and reflect all the new rules and updates for the 2020 season. If you plan to show or enter any educational contests, please be sure to review all the rules for your particular division or contest. Rule changes and additions are highlighted yellow for your convenience. Some significant changes have been made to the horse show section.

Link to NC 4-H Horse Program Rules & Regulations Manual

Link to NC 4-H Horse Program Dressage Manual

2020 NC 4-H Horse Program Eligibility Card Procedure

Blank eligibility cards will no longer be available. Please follow the below steps to request an eligibility card for any 4-Her wishing to show a project animal at a qualifying horse show.

1. Any 4-Her (or parent) wishing to exhibit a project animal at a qualifying horse show must submit an Eligibility Card Request Form. This is a form to be completed online that will ask for the same information that is generally on an eligibility card (horse and rider info, division, etc.) and will not require any signatures yet. The pony measurement section will be completed by a certified measurer at the qualifying show.

2. A 4-H’er must declare which qualifying show they intend to show at on this electronic form. This qualifying show cannot be changed once completed unless there is a unique circumstance that the Advisory Council Executive Committee chooses to allow. This year’s shows are as follows:

May 2-3 - West (WNC Ag Center, Fletcher)

May 1-3 - East (Gov. Martin Ag Center, Williamston)

May 15-17 - South (Lake Waccamaw)

May 15-17- North (Gov. Hunt Horse Complex, Raleigh)

3. After this form is completed, an eligibility card will be generated by the State Office and will be sent to your county agent for review.

4. County agents will print the completed cards and arrange distribution to the leaders of the youth that have met county requirements for eligibility.

5. Once the printed card is in the possession of the 4-Her/leader, they are responsible for making sure that the card is signed by the parent/guardian, volunteer leader, and extension agent in order for the card to be valid.

PLEASE NOTE: There is not a specific deadline for the completion of the request form. However, youth need to be sure to have all paperwork (including eligibility cards) completed in time to meet entry deadlines for their selected qualifying show. As soon as qualifying show packets are shared with EHH, we will post them on the website.

2020 NC 4-H Horse Program Eligibility Card Request Form »

2020 NC State 4-H Horse Show

The 2020 NC State 4-H Horse Show will be held July 8-12 in Raleigh at the Gov. James B. Hunt Horse Complex. The class list and list of judges have been posted on the event's web page.

NC State 4-H Horse Show Page

4-H Horsemanship Camp

Registration is now open for the 2020 Horsemanship Camp held June 14-16 at Millstone 4-H Camp in Ellerbe, NC!

Improve your horsemanship skills while having fun with other 4-H’ers. A highly qualified camp staff will introduce the beginning rider to the basics of horsemanship while advanced riders can learn new and better horsemanship skills and showing techniques. Special features of the camp include educational lectures, riding lessons, showmanship, judging contests, trail rides and training demonstrations. Instruction will be given in hunt seat, western and gaming styles, with additional instruction in dressage, non-trotting or eventing if enough interest exists.

Registration Link »

Information Page & Information »

If you are a 4-H’er 14 years or older and have attended camp once, you can apply to be a junior leader! Junior leader applications are now open and can be found with the following link: Junior Leader Information »

2020 NC State 4-H & FFA Horse Judging Contest

April 18, 2020 at the Gov. James B. Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, NC

The Horse Judging Contest is designed to teach participants good conformation (structural correctness, balance, and muscling), breed character, and performance ideals in different breeds of horses. Additionally, the Horse Judging contest will teach participants how to evaluate horses based on knowledge and fact, make a decision, and defend it. The Contest will teach participants horsemanship terms that can be used in a logical, systematic way to defend placings and will help participants gain confidence in their ability and use of the English language by giving oral reasons to a judge while learning to speak clearly, decisively, and convincingly through the use of oral reasons.

For more information about eligibility, tentative schedule, hotel accommodations, etc., please visit

Horse Judging Contest Page »

Endless Summer Horse Show Hosting 4-H Team Challenge Event

The NCQHA District IV Endless Summer Show will be held August 21-23 in Williamston, NC and will feature several "Non AQHA" classes for 4-H'ers that do not show Quarter Horses. There will be a 4-H Team Show Challenge where 4-H clubs can enter as many 5 person teams as they wish. Riders will receive points based on their placing. The team earning the Highest Number of Points for the entire show will be crowned champion and receive a team trophy and a cash prize for the club.

There will also be a 4-H Stall decorating contest and the winning club will receive a trophy and cash prize. See the links below for more information. If you have questions, please email David Spencer: d.spencer@westrock.com

Endless Summer Show 4-H Team Challenge Details

2020 Endless Summer Horse Show Class List

AYHC Horse Smarts Updates

Horsebowl & Hippology competitors and coaches: The AYHC has updated its list of corrections to the Horse Smarts reference book. If you haven't already done so, go through and update your book and also print out a copy of the index (very handy to have when you need to find something quick).

AYHC HS Corrections & Updates »