Learn about the various breeds and disciplines of horses. Learn about horsemanship, horse care and horse related activities. There is something for everyone in the horse world whether it is recreational trail riding, three-day eventing or ranch work competitions. Whether through observing on the sidelines, leasing or owning a horse, you will learn the value of hard work, responsibility and dedication through horse pursuits.
Show Your Skills
- Show at open and 4-H shows
- Show at breed association show
- Trail ride at a park
- Host a horse clinic with local extension office
Service and Leadership
- Volunteer at an educational clinic
- Help younger exhibitors at open shows and other competitions
- Help at a local barn: clean stalls, groom horses, stack hay
- Support therapeutic riding organizations
- Provide barn tours
- Volunteer at a tack auction
- Teach showmanship and horsemanship to younger members
- Organize a tack swap
- Work at local 4-H Horse Shows
- Become a State 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team member
Entrepreneurship
- Braid and band horse manes at shows
- Become a horse trainer
- Learn to sew horse show clothes
- Buy and sell tack
- Teach riding lessons
Technology Connection
- Form a social media group to share patterns for horsemanship, showmanship, trail and reining
- Speed equipment – electronic timers
- Explore horse show management software
Connecting with a Mentor
- Riding instructors and trainers in the local area
- Boarding stables
- Connect with people who lease horses
- Attend a horse show and ask questions of exhibitors
- Connect with horse show management
Events
- Sponsored by 4-H – open ride nights, open shows, tack auctions, tack & clothes swap
- 4-H Contests: Horse Bowl, Hippology, Horse Judging, and Horse Speech
- Illinois State Fair Junior Horse Show: horse lease/ownership paperwork
- County 4-H Horse Shows: Illinois 4-H Horse Show Guidelines
- Attend the Illinois 4-H Junior Livestock Conference
- Sponsored by others – Breed association shows and competitions, IL Horse Fair
Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements
- LEVEL 1: Giddy Up & Go
- LEVEL 2: Head, Heart & Hooves
- LEVEL 3: Stable Relationships
- LEVEL 4: Riding the Range
- LEVEL 5: Jumping to New Heights
- Horses & Horsemanship
- Horse Science
Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store.
View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.
Shelly Prehoda, McLean County 4-H Horse Show Director
Oklahoma 4-H project sheet
University of Illinois Extension staff that contributed to this resource include Kaitlyn Prehoda
4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers!