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Animal Sciences Department

Animal Sciences Department

Significant Changes for Area and State
4-H Horse Shows

This page highlights the significant changes to note about the upcoming Area and State 4-H Horse Show season. What is listed here is general explanation, not exact rules. The rulebook will have the 'official' rules that will take precedence. Counties may continue to adapt their own rules so they are tailored for their local programs.

Significant changes for 2022

  • Youth may enter two horses at their Area Show, and if qualified, at State and Regionals.
    • Both horses need to be certified as project horses by the January 1 deadline and included in the Horse Record Book.
    • Each horse may be entered in up to 5 classes. But no horse or rider may enter the same class twice.
  • All Dressage classes will be “Test of Choice” instead of a specific test being designated and used by all. When completing the online entry, exhibitors will choose which test they plan to ride.
  • Due to lack of entries, there will not be Saddle/Gaited classes or Division. Gaited horses may still enter Ranch and Speed Event classes.
  • “Jumping” class has been removed from Area, State, and Regionals. (not Hunter Over Fences classes – those all remain!)
  • In Working Hunter (Horse & Pony) and Handy Hunter, horses will no longer be trotted in at the completion of the class. A trot circle will be added to the end of each course.

As always, these are some of the most impactful changes. Refer to the rulebook and the "Changes" pages for all of the details of what is different.

For reference, the history of previous major changes is listed below

Changes for 2020, highlights

  • Removed Western RIding as a class.
  • Showmanship/Ground Handling - one may now enter one Showmanship AND one Ground Handling, as opposed to previously one Showmanship OR one Ground Handling. Note, neither are required classes - entrants may enter any 5 classes.
  • Many classes had their scoring systems revised to more closely align with AQHA. This includes Showmanships (all), Horsemanship, Western Trail, Ranch Trail, and Ranch Reining.
  • Western Trail - refusal penalties no longer continue to accumulate. Three cumulative refusals is a DQ.
  • Ranch Trail - skipping an obstacle is no longer a 20 pt penalty, but an Off-Pattern (OP = scored, but cannot place above others without an OP). Riders may be asked to move to the next obstacle after 3 refusals, but the second obstacle not completed will be a DQ.
  • Live Cattle may be used on the course/pattern for Ranch Trail and Ranch RIding.
  • Saddle Seat - Academy attire is allowed.

Changes for 2019

A major change for 2019 was the restructuring of the Horse Show qualifying Areas. The previous six Horse Show Areas are now redrawn to four Areas - North, South, East, and West. Visit this page to see the new 2019 Areas.

Classes added to the regular qualifying class list:

  • Western Dressage
  • Jumping (penalties and time, not judged like Hunter O/F)

Rule and procedural changes:

  • When entering 5 classes, Showmanship does not have to be one of them. Entrants may enter any five classes. However, it stills applies that if a Showmanship/Ground Handling class is entered, entrant must enter at least one riding class in that division.
  • Every effort will be made to have a uniform online registration method and scoring program for all Area shows.
  • State Show registration paperwork will be drastically reduced. No copies of Coggins tests, breed registration papers, participation forms, nor rulebook receipt forms.

Age Change for 2016

Recognizing that Florida has many excellent younger horse show exhibitors who have not previously been eligible to qualify for Regionals; beginning 2016 there will be an avenue for Intermediates to compete along with Seniors to qualify for Regionals. Read more about the rule and explanation here.

Changes from 2014

Among the highlights of changes for 2014 are a new Ranch Division with two new cattle classes, a "Ground Handling" class in place of Showmanship in the Ranch & Speed Event Divisions, and a new approach to the State Show schedule. Please see this pdf for the full list of chages for the 2014 Area & State 4-H Horse Shows.

Changes from 2013

Class changes include:

  • Pony Mare & Gelding halter classes will be combined in both the Western division and Hunter division.
  • Ranch Riding is split into Jr./Int. and Sr.
  • Training Level Dressage is split into Jr./Int. and Sr., while First Level Dressage remains open to all ages. Riders may enter only one Dressage class.
  • Showmanship classes are added to the Speed Event Division. (Note the Showmanship class entry rule below.)
  • There will be no Grand & Reserve Champion halter classes.

Rules/Procedures Changes

  • "Horses" eligible for Area & State 4-H Horse Shows include horses, ponies, miniature horses, and mules. Donkeys and mini-donkeys are not eligible.
    *Please note: Donkeys may be used as project animals in the Horse project and leased with the 4-H Horse Lease Form. Counties may also choose to allow donkeys in their local or County shows. The rule above applies solely to the Area and State shows.
  • Bits and equipment sections of the rulebook will be rearranged so that all information for a division is in one place. Rules may be revised and/or re-written for clarity. (Details will be posted once confirmed.)
  • Showmanship class entry: To be eligible to compete in a division's showmanship class, an exhibitor must show in at least one of that division's performance (riding) classes (unless they are only showing in in-hand classes).
  • A specified list of showmanship maneuvers that may be asked will be added to the rulebook (similar to lists for Horsemanship and HS Equitation).

Changes from 2010

You will notice the following differences from previous years:

  • No "Open" Division. All classes are listed under the four main divisions. Classes are also renumbered so all classes in a division are together, as opposed to all the halter, then all the showmanship, then all the mounted classes.
  • Trail is now Western only. By removing the Open Division and moving Trail into the Western Division, all entrants will show in Western tack and attire.
  • Western pony height is 14.2 hands. Previously Western ponies were 13.2 hands; now they use the same definition as Hunter.
  • Western and Hunter Halter classes have the same splits: pony mares, pony geldings, horse mares, horse geldings.
  • Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle have the same splits: pony, Jr/Int. rider, and Sr. rider.
  • All Speed Events are split to Jr/Int. and Sr.
  • Saddle Seat and Gaited Performance Division. Classes and rules were redefined to allow for gaited horses to show in Western, Hunter, or Dressage tack instead of only Saddle Seat. Gaited horses (regardless of riding style) and Saddle Seat trotting horses are still in the same overall division.
  • New Ranch classes! These new classes are governed by the same tack & appointments rules as the Western Division. However the intent is a more natural turnout suitable for actually working on a Ranch as opposed "show" tack, attire, and turnout. Click each class name for the full set of rules as they will be in the rulebook.
  • Ranch Riding. Judged on quality of gaits, response to the rider, manners, and disposition as the horse performs as a means of conveyance from one stock horse task to another.
  • Ranch Trail. Shows the horse’s ability to navigate and cope with the various situations and obstacles encountered in everyday ranch work. Should use realistic and natural obstacles and terrain. Notable differences from Western Trail are the required obstacles of roping a simulated steer and dragging a log.