Horse Project

State & regional events

To view county or local club events, visit the county website.

View all 4-H Events

Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show

The Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show is held every fall, and provides lifetime skills and learning experiences for 4-H Horse Project members, families and leaders. Effective since 2007, all 4-H'ers participating in 4-H-sponsored mounted activity are required to wear properly fastened, ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear. More Info

Hippology

Show your knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a friendly but competitive setting by participating in a Hippology Project. Youth who have completed sixth grade and higher can compete as part of a county team or as an individual. More Info

Horse Judging

In this event, make a careful study of an animal, measuring it against an accepted ideal. Youth who have completed sixth grade and up can compete as part of a county team or as an individual. More Info See horse judging resources

Speech and Demo

State level judging is held in conjunction with the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show. Start preparing for it early in the year, by participating in your project group or club. Use this as an opportunity to talk to schoolmates about your interest in horses or the horse industry. More info

Drill Team

Learn about drill teams in the Minnesota Drill Team Rule Book (165Kb PDF) updated 02/19/12 Note: The drill teams will perform in the new AgStar Arena at the state fairgrounds. The new arena size is 80' X 200'.Contact: Minnesota 4-H Drill Committee for more information.

4-H Regional & State Project Bowls

Project Bowls are an exciting way for youth to explore a project area. Teams compete in quiz competitions with questions about specific project areas. Project Bowls are available for Dairy, Dog, General Livestock (Beef, Sheep & Swine), Horse, Poultry, Rabbit and Wildlife projects. Winners of the Regional Bowls advance to the State Bowl. More Project Bowl Info   More Horse Bowl info

National trip opportunities

Top Hippology teams, Horse Judging teams, Speech and Demonstration participants and Project Bowl teams can compete at a national level. More Info

Western Heritage

Minnesota 4-H Western Heritage helps youth explore and preserve this sporting tradition. Regional events lead to the state contest. More Info

Minnesota 4-H State Horse Winter Roundup

You won't want to miss this tremendous opportunity to learn more about the 4-H Horse Project's activities. Winter Round Up includes two days and two nights of learning, sharing information and having fun. This forum is designed for adult leaders and 4-H parents. Older youth may attend, however, this will be intense leader training with very few recreational activities provided. The location varies. More Info

Expo Tack Sale

The Tack Sale at Minnesota's Horse Expo is held annually at the state fairgounds in St. Paul. The sale is managed by Minnesota 4-H Horse Association and is the group's major fund raising event. More info

Horse Judges Certification

Apply to become a certified 4-H horse judge at this event, held every spring. Certified 4-H judges can also be recertified. More info

Miniature Horse Program

As the interest in miniature horses has grown within the Minnesota 4-H horse project, several opportunities are being offered. Clinic Flyer Clinic Registration Show Flyer Events are held in April in Buffalo.

Followup letter (Posted 5/3/12)

Miniature Horse Rule Book (Posted 5/7/12)

Contact: Carol / Emily Schimnich or Jackie / Aimee Schulz

Boot Camp

MQHA hosts a three-day camp in June for 4-H members in Verndale. Camping and stalls will be available. Participation is limited. More Info

Horse Project resources

You can participate in a variety of activities including shows, trail rides, endurance riding, project bowls, judging teams, hippology teams or Western Heritage. The 4-H Horse Achievement Guide will help you learn horse-related skills and to record your activities.

LISTSERV: The LIST SERV is an email response program operated by the University of Minnesota. It allows people interested in the 4-H Horse Project to exchange ideas, methods and opinions. It broadcasts e-mails to all list subscribers. Click here to request list subscription Please include your name and county in your request.

Local information contact:

County Extension office

Horse training project resources

Learn how to train your untrained horse using this step-by-step process.

Contacts:

Gladys Carlson

Bobbi Knutson

Horseless Horse Project resources

Horseless Horse offers the opportunity to study and learn about a horse if you do not own, lease, or have regular access to care for a live horse. (If your family owns, leases or has regular access to care for a live horse; you should enroll in the Horse Project and enter a horse-related exhibit.)

Horseless Member Booklet

Contact:

Cathy Giefer
13248 - 410th Ave
Blue Earth, MN 56013
windmillacresl@bevcomm.net

Horse judging resources

Horse judging is an art that consists of making a careful study of animals and measuring them against an accepted ideal.

Minnesota 4-H Horse Association video library

Contact:

Lynette Whittier

 

Related organizations

Project leader resources

Project meeting outline

Lesson plans to be used with youth. Blank Project Meeting Outline (61 K PDF)