Silver Spurs – Lil’ Riders
4H Horse & Pony Clubs
2009
Index
Silver Spurs 4H Horse and Pony Rules/Policies
Pages 2-4
Silver Spurs 4H Club Horse/Pony Safety Rules
Page 5
Silver Spurs 4H Horse Show High Point Awards
Page 6
Project Manuals/Poster Requirements
Pages 7-8
4H Fair Stall Requirements and Rules
Pages 9-10
1. Revised 12/08
SILVER SPURS 4H HORSE AND PONY RULES AND POLICIES
1. 4H members must complete a 4H membership form for enrollment in the Silver
Spurs 4H Horse and Pony Club. This form must be turned into the Leaders on or
before date to be announced.
2. All members must complete the required “4H youth development projects, events
and activities release form”. This form must be completed and returned to Leaders on
or before date to be announced to legally ride on Floyd County 4H Fairground property.
3. Club Dues and Insurance: At enrollment, insurance is $2.00 per member and
dues are $10.00 per member of $15.00 per family. Money due to Leaders on or before
date to be announced.
4. 4H members have the choice of either completing a Project Manual or a
Horse/Pony poster (see page 7-8 for further details). You must turn in your completed
project manual/poster to Leaders before project check-in day (due date to be
announced).
5. Horse/Pony record sheet (Form ID #136) must be turned in by (due date to be
announced) The record sheet is required to show at the Floyd County Completion
Show, Area II Schooling show, and Indiana State Fair. Record sheets can be picked up
at the Purdue Extension Office (also, one is in the packet handed out in January).
6. For any member who does not have a horse, the poster or project manual will be
your completed project. Please refer to project manual/poster requirements on page 7-
8.
7. Horse Enrollment Forms with a full side view photo of horse, showing all legs and
front of face MUST be filled out in order to participate at the Floyd County Completion
Show (“Completion Show”), Area II Schooling Show, and Indiana State Fair. All
members will be required to attend one of the two horse check-in and
measurement days. On this day, the member’s horse will be measured and the
Horse/Pony Enrollment form must be turned in. (Dates to be announced). If entered
after required date, members are not eligible to participate in the shows above until the
following year, unless transferring with good standing from another county or state.
8. All members will be required to complete a Horse Health Care Record sheet,
which lists all the shots, worming, and other care the horse receives during the current
calendar year. (due date to be announced).
9. 4H Completion Show:
Please obtain an “Indiana 4H Horse and Pony Handbook” from the Purdue
Extension Office for more specific showing guidelines.
2. Revised 12/08
1. Any member enrolled after March 31 of the current year, will not be
eligible to show until the following year, unless transferring with good
standing from another county or state.
2. All paperwork listed above must be turned in by the proper date.
3. NO ONE other than Floyd County 4H Horse and Pony Club members or
leaders will be allowed to ride 4H project horses on fairground property at
ANY TIME.
4. During the Completion Show, any coaching/training is to be done on the
field side of the fence or at the trailers. Once a member is in the make-up
arena or in a show class, they are to work their horses using their own
ability. No coaching, parental or leader help is allowed at this time
UNLESS THE MEMBER IS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE DUE TO AN
UNSAFE SITUATION.
5. All contesting classes are to be shown in western tack and attire.
6. Members may only exhibit one horse per class.
10. 4H Completion Show Sponsorship Money:
1. $20.00 per member/$30.00 per family are required to be turned in by
members planning on showing horses. This money will help to cover the
cost of the awards for the Completion Show.
2. Letters explaining to businesses about sponsoring the Completion Show
will be given to each member showing a horse. The sponsorship money
will be used to cover the expense above ($20.00 per member/$30 per
family).
3. Sponsor money is due to the Leaders one month prior to the Completion
Show. If you do not turn in your sponsor money, you will not receive
awards.
11. 4H Completion Show awards and High Point awards:
a. High Point Awards will be divided into western, English, contesting,
and halter/showmanship. There is a senior high point and a junior high
point in each division. High point winners are based on one horse/one
rider-handler. Members must meet the high point award requirements to
qualify. Please refer to high point award requirements in this booklet.
12. State Fair:
1. All members may participate in the Indiana State Fair.
2. Members no longer have to qualify to participate in the Indiana State Fair.
3. Members must register by (to be announced) to enter the Indiana State
Fair.
4. Official Indiana 4H Horse/Pony Enrollment Forms must be completed and
on file at the respective county Purdue Extension office by May 15 to
show at the Indiana State Fair Show.
5. Please refer to the “Indiana 4H Horse and Pony Handbook” for further
Indiana State Fair guidelines/requirements.
3. Revised 12/08
13. At NO TIME during any Silver Spur 4H Horse and Pony function, clinic, or activity
will ALCOHOL be allowed on the premises. This will result in the individual being asked
to leave: if they do not comply, police will be called to escort them off the property. This
will not be tolerated!
14. The 4H Horse and Pony Leaders enforce the rules and policies of the club along
with the Indiana 4H rules and policies. The Leaders and club officers participate in all
organizational activities.
15. Members are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous and appropriate
manner at all times. No profanity, abuse of other members, leaders or horses/ponies
will be tolerated. All horses must be sound, humanely treated, and healthy. This will be
enforced by the Leaders. Anyone disregarding this will be asked to leave 4H property.
4. Revised 12/08
Silver Spurs 4H Horse and Pony Club Safety Rules
1. All 4H members are required to wear a properly fitted ASTM or SEI standard
F1163 (or above) certified equestrian helmet whenever mounted or driving at all
county, area, and state 4H horse/pony events, shows, and activities. The 4H
member is responsible to see that the specified headgear is properly fitted with
the approved harness fastened in place whenever mounted. Original tags must
be present in all approved helmets. No approved helmet – you will not be
allowed to ride or drive!
2. All helmets must be approved and tagged by the health and safety officers.
3. 4H riders must wear proper attire when mounted (i.e. boots, long pants,
approved helmet).
4. Only 4H members or leaders may ride or drive on 4H property.
5. Stallions are NOT PERMITTED on 4H property.
6. At least one horse length must be in between every horse and rider at all times
when on 4H property.
7. Horses must remain in hand at all times, unless properly tied up.
8. When mounted, you must always sit in the proper position. One hand on reins,
both feet in stirrups, facing forward, unless doing an instructed exercise.
9. Absolutely NO cantering on pavement or grass will be permitted, unless during a
specific clinic or event that is being held on the grass outside of the arena.
10. If a horse is acting in an unsafe manner:
1. The member may circle their horse;
2. Move to a safe distance from the other horses;
3. Ask for assistance from an adult; or
4. Dismount and walk the horse.
11. Absolutely no aggression will be permitted toward horses or other riders by
members or their horses.
12. Any 4H Leader may correct a member’s behavior. One warning will be given.
After one warning, the member may be asked to leave the arena or 4H grounds.
13. All Silver Spurs 4H members MUST abide by all state and county 4H Horse and
Pony rules and policies. For Indiana state rules, please refer to the Indiana State
4H Horse and Pony Handbook available at the county Purdue Extension Office.
14. All horses and ponies must be considered safe by the Leadership, for use in the
Silver Spurs 4H Horse and Pony Club. If a horse/pony is deemed unsafe for use
in club activities, its use will no longer be allowed in 4H Horse and Pony
activities. This is to be enforced by the 4H Horse and Pony Leaders.
15. If a member rides a horse that is known to kick, a red ribbon must be tied in the
tail of that horse and remain in its tail when on 4H fairground property. It is the
owner’s responsibility to be in control of this horse at all times.
16. No horses near the concession stand at any time.
17. Members are not allowed to ride their horse on fairground property without a
leader or board member being present.
5. Revised 12/08
Silver Spurs Completion Show High Point Awards System
The high point award system is the method used to decide what is required to receive a
High Point award. The requirements must be completed prior to the Completion Show.
To receive a High Point award during the show, all the following requirements must be
met:
1. Complete all paperwork listed on page 2;
2. Complete Project Manual/Poster, please refer to the Horse/Pony Project
Manual and Poster requirements;
3. Volunteer two hours of time toward on 4H Horse and Pony fund raising event;
4. Attend three club mounted clinics, your horse does not have to be present;
and
5. Attend two club business meetings (unmounted meetings).
High Point Award Divisions: All divisions are divided into separate junior and senior
divisions (8 total). They are as follows:
1. Halter/Showmanship
2. English
3. Western
4. Contesting
Points System:
● 1st place – 5 points
● 2nd place – 4 points
● 3rd place – 3 points
● 4th place – 2 points
● 5th place – 1 point
Members not eligible for High Point award will not receive points. Points will be given to
next highest qualifying members.
Mini classes are not included in High Point tabulation.
6. Revised 12/08
Project Manuals/Poster Requirements
4H members have a choice of completing a Project Manual or a Horse/Pony Poster.
Members that choose to complete a Project Manual should contact the county Purdue
Extension office at 812-948-5470, to place an order for the specific Project Manual of
their choice. The cost per manual is $5.00, payable to the county Purdue Extension
Office. Please allow one to two weeks to receive your manual after ordering due to the
fact manuals are mailed from Purdue 4H home office.
Project Manual Requirements:
Complete first two sections of selected manual
Project Manual Summaries: (prepared by 4H members)
Book #1 – Giddy Up and Go (suggested grades 3-4)
This book has 4 chapters with 4 sections in each chapter. Within each chapter and
section, it teaches things like the basics of horses, reading the language of your horse
and what they mean, parts of the horse, how to measure a horse in hands, the different
colors and markings to identify your horse and also using other techniques such as
branding, different breeds, how to understand horses, how to tie many types of knots,
the safety of being around a horse, checking to see if your horse is sick or not, and the
different types of riding patters. The book also contains a glossary full of horse terms
and resources. It is filled with many activities and extra things to do for fun. This would
be the perfect project for the beginner rider or someone new to horses.
Book #2 – Head, Heard, and Hooves (suggested grades 5-6)
Youth learn horse behavior, detailed anatomy and the basic care practices for horses.
Activities include pony up to the salad bar, body condition scoring, and bad hair day and
long in the tooth.
Book #3 – Stable Relationship (suggested grades 7-8)
This book is about reproduction, housing, and management of horses. Inside each
chapter it talks about more specific things. There is a brief paragraph that talks about
the subject and then a few activities relating to the subject. Anybody with basic horse
knowledge would enjoy, learn, and have fun with this book.
Book #4 – Riding the Range (suggested grades 9-10)
Beginning riding skills and everything youth need to know before they get on a horse for
the first time are covered in this book. Some of the activities are round pen workout,
bridle in a bucket, saddle up, and basic riding.
Book #5 – Jumping into New Heights (suggested grades 11-12)
This book is about many different things, including goals, decision making, the
importance of your appearance in the show ring, and showmanship skills. It also helps
you to understand the “quarter system” and how to break down and ride patterns. The
book also discusses practicing skills, your personal ethics, debating, good character,
and sportsmanship. Leadership, helping others, teaching someone what you have
7. Revised 12/08
learned, and planning and conducting shows are also big parts of this book. A glossary
and resources are in the back of the book for help. Over all, this book can help kids
develop leadership skills and good sportsmanship.
Poster construction hints:
1. Poster Board – any color is acceptable
2. Posters must be displayed horizontally.
3. Posters must be 22” x 28”.
4. Posters must have a stiff backing. Any material that will keep the poster from
bending forward or backward will work.
5. All posters must be covered with a clear protective covering. Plastic sheeting,
no glass or Plexiglas.
6. Mounting adhesives – rubber cement or double stick tape.
7. Colored pencils – the best are soft leaded.
8. Plastic tape – not necessary but makes attaching poster board to stiff backing
easy.
9. Lettering – self-adhesive, or press type, etc., or can be hand lettered.
10. Exhibit label which tells the number, project, division, etc., label is furnished at
fair check-in, should be affixed to lower right hand corner of poster board.
Some category examples may be
1. Horse breeds.
2. Horse colors.
3. Anatomy of the horse.
4. Favorite event.
5. Saddle parts, etc…
8. Revised 12/08
4H Fair Stall Requirements and Rules during 4H Fair
1. Check-in time for those who have a stall during fair week is between 5:00 p.m.
and 8:00 p.m. Sunday before the fair. Members who arrive before or after this
time will not be allowed to leave their horse.
2. One stall is allowed per club member.
3. Stalls will be assigned by the Leaders.
In addition to the requirements to be met for Club membership, to qualify for a stall
during 4H week members are required:
1. Attend a minimum of three mounted meetings/clinics.
2. Volunteer two hours of time toward one 4H Horse and Pony club fund raising
event.
3. Be present during stall set-up and break-down.
4. Have a representative present during stall set up and break-down.
Members must spend one hour between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. during fair week in the
barn greeting the public.
Deadline for stall signup is June 1.
Rules for members during Fair
1. Exercise horse daily for a minimum of 30 minutes.
2. Clean stalls daily before 6:00 p.m.
3. Properly feed and water your horse daily. If you are unable to check your horse’s
water due to another 4H Fair activity, please ask another Horse/Pony club
member to check your horse’s water in your absence.
4. If before 6:00 p.m., member’s horse must be in hand or properly tied up while out
of the stall.
5. Horse must be in its stall daily by 6:00 p.m.
6. Do not open the stall door after 6:00 p.m. or take your horse out of the stall after
6:00 p.m. unless on a demonstration night, a show is in progress, or in case of an
emergency.
7. Stall doors should be closed at all times.
8. Horses should be in the make-up arena, in the arena or in their stall during fair
week.
9. No hobbles are allowed.
10. Fans for stalls are allowed. Please see the 4H Leader who is in charge of the
barn at check-in time for instructions on where to hang your fan.
11. Members must have a parent/legal guardian stay with them if they stay overnight
on 4H property overnight during the fair.
12. 4H Horse and Pony club members and parents are the ONLY people allowed in
your horse’s stall throughout the animals stay during fair week. No one from the
public should be allowed in your horse’s stall at any time.
13. Parking around the Horse/Pony barn is not permitted after 5:00 p.m. during fair
week.
9. Revised 12/08
14. Members not properly caring for their horse will be required to remove their horse
from the fairgrounds.
10. Revised 12/08