GUIDELINES & REQUIREMENTS

Washington County 4 H members are eligible to register two riding project animals for the 4 H year by May 31 of that year.   Only one horse project is permitted to attend a Performance Against The Standards (PAS) and State Fair shows. Two (2) riding animals and one (1) production are permitted to attend the Washington County Fair.  The State’s rules for the Performance Against The Standards (PAS) Show will be followed. Find them at: http://horse.osu.edu Horse projects are not permitted in more than one county at a time.

The county committee will allow an animal to be used by more than one member within the same immediate family. However, only one member may attempt to qualify for State Fair. Both members may compete on one horse at County Fair. In the event of both members qualifying for a championship class, the family will decide who competes.

4-H project horses may be leased by exhibitors.  Leased projects must follow regulations outlined in the Ohio 4-H Lease Agreement.  A completed lease agreement MUST be on file at the Extension Office by June 1 for eligibility.  Lease agreements are available at the Extension Office and on line at:  www.washington.osu.edu  

Mandatory Requirements for 4-H Horse Project Members:

  1. Each family must purchase project 191R Horses, Safety, and You and view two (2) videos (Every Time…Every Ride and Horses, Kids, & Ethics). The videos are available at the Extension Office. Call 376-7431 to reserve them. After reading and viewing, must also sign a copy of the form in the back of project 191R. This form can be copied, and only has to be completed once during a 4 H member’s career.
  2. All 4-H Horse Project Members must fill out, have required signatures and turn in by April 15th  4:30 pm of current project year the Permission to Participate in 4-H Horse Activities Form. This form must be completed every year.
  3. County Skillathon is required for ALL 4-H members to remain in good standing and to exhibit and/or show at any of our three fairs.  All horse project members will be required to participate in Skillathon/Hippology.  Please see 4-H Calendar and/or Junior Fair Activities Guide for date, location and make-up dates/times.  All members taking a horse project must participate in the Horse Skillathon on August 3 (Horseless Horse project members will participate in non-livestock project judging on July 16 at the Career Center times will be announced later) at the Washington County Junior Fair building 8:30am-12:00 pm.  Make-up date is August 6, 6:00pm – youth must call to reserve an appointment time with a $20 fee.   
  4. Lessons, instruction, and advice for the member are encouraged. As long as the member is present in a learning situation, such assistance can include occasional riding or handling of the horse by another person, but cannot include regular training and care of the horse from June 1st through the completion of the Junior Fair Horse Shows at the Washington County Fair.  Showing a 4-H member’s project animal in a class at a show is not considered training. However, if a project animal is shown by someone other than the 4-H member in an open or breed from June 1st through the completion of the Junior Fair Horse Shows at the Washington County Fair, the 4-H member must be present and must show the project horse in at least one class at that same show.
  5. Helmet Policy for the Ohio 4-H Horse Program:
    “All youth age 19 and under, participating in any 4-H equestrian activity, are required to wear properly fitted protective headgear which meets or exceeds current ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)/SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) standards with the chin harness securely fastened at all times while riding or driving an equine.

    It is the responsibility of the rider, or the parent or guardian of the youth participant, to make sure that the headgear worn complies with appropriate safety standards for protective headgear intended for equestrian use, and is properly fitted and in good condition.  The Ohio 4-H Horse Program, Show Committees, Officials, Extension Personnel and Volunteer Leaders are not responsible for checking headgear worn for such compliance.

    The Ohio 4-H Horse Program, Show Committees, Officials, Extension Personnel and Volunteer Leaders make no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, about any protective headgear, and cautions riders that death or serious injury may result despite wearing such headgear, as no helmet can protect against all foreseeable injuries in equestrian activities.

    The Ohio 4-H Horse Program, Show Committees, Officials, Extension Personnel and Volunteer Leaders may, at his/her discretion, check a participant’s protective headgear for proper standards.  If the youth is found to be wearing unapproved, defective, or improperly fitted headgear, he/she will not be permitted to participate in riding or driving activities until proper headgear is acquired.”
  1. Fill out in duplicate a Horse Project Animal Declaration Form.  Two are enclosed. Complete one form for each project animal—A copy may be obtained at the Extension Office by May 31, 4:30 pm.  Forms received between June 1-7 will be assessed a $20 late fee.  No forms will be accepted after June 7, 2019, no exceptions.
  2. All 4-H horse project members are required to attend one Equine Educational Riding Sessions in order to participate in the shows and events at the Washington County Fair. However, members are welcome to attend as many sessions as they wish. Members may bring their own horses to designated sessions but are not required to. Exhibitors do not need to bring project horses to attend. We strongly encourage parents to stay at the sessions so they are better equipped to help their child to better prepare for the fair and other competitions. See enclosed flyer for current year session topics, dates, times and locations.

    **YOUTH planning on participating in any PAS to qualify for State Fair MUST complete their required attendance at least ONE Equine Riding Session BEFORE trying out at ANY PAS show.
  3. Performance Against The Standards Qualifier show(s) will be held to accommodate the membership. Members are limited to four (4) pre-selected classes (minimum of two). Classes offered will be determined by member pre-registration.  **YOUTH planning on participating in any PAS to qualify for State Fair MUST complete their required attendance at at least ONE Equine Riding Session BEFORE trying out at ANY PAS show.
  4. At all 4-H horse shows, only Show Officials are permitted in the arena when judging is occurring.
  5. Any 4 H member desiring a class that their county is not able to offer should contact their Extension Educator to arrange to participate in another county’s show.
  6. In case of inclement weather, parents are asked to check with their club’s Organizational Advisor and/or the Extension Office on the day of the scheduled shows to verify that the show is still scheduled.
  7. Hardship Clause – If one member has registered two (2) riding animals exclusively, that individual will use the remaining project animal. The exception shall be when two or more family members register the same horses then the following Hardship Clause shall apply. If one (1) riding project animal is registered, then follow the Hardship Clause as outlined.
    • If a project horse dies you may declare a new project.
    • If a horse is seriously ill or injured and a vet examines the horse and submits a signed statement that this horse will be unable to finish the year as a project horse, you may declare a new project.
    • The committee reserves the right to inspect the original project and may speak to the vet that did the exam.
    • If a horse is ill or injured and the vet says he will be able to show at the fair, this is not considered to be a horse that is unable to finish the year as a project and the 4-H’er will not be permitted to adopt another project.
    • 4-H member will not be permitted to switch back to the original project after member has adopted a new project for that year.
    • The above stated reasons to claim a new project will not be altered in any way and are to be the only reasons for a project switch.
    • Hardship animals are not eligible for State Fair.
    • Abuse of this clause may result in it being dropped for future years. Member cooperation is required for the good of this program.
    • All other situations may be presented to the Saddle Horse Committee and decisions will be made on a case by case basis.

At County Fair Horse Shows:

  1. There are to be NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES brought to a 4-H function by any parent, guest or 4-H member. THIS WILL BE POSTED AND ENFORCED.
  2. There is to be NO SMOKING in any of the barns by anyone at any 4-H function.
  3. There will be three approved Stewards with one/two alternates. There must be a vote of three on any decision.
  4. Horses are required to ne stalled on the fairgrounds.  All horses need to be in place by 7pm Friday August 31, 2019 and may not leave the fairgrounds until Tuesday September 3, 2019 at 4pm.
  5. Safety Rules for Shows
    • Grooming is not permitted in the aisles due to safety reasons.
    • No riding in barns.
    • No horses standing in spectator area.
    • NO HORSEPLAY.
    • NO HORSES OR LIVESTOCK ARE ALLOWED ON BALL FIELDS.
    • Horses are to be kept in horse related areas.
    • Only project animals may be shown at County Fair Shows.
    • ‘No riding on fairgrounds except in the warm-up area and arena. Horses are to be led to and from the arena or paddock area.
    • Only one rider per horse- No riding double.
    • No mistreatment of horses.

All exhibitors are requested to strip stalls before leaving grounds.