DIVISION IX: JUNIOR FAIR HORSE SHOW 

Adult Consultants – Mary Huddle, Pam Burns 

Junior Consultants: 

Clermont County Junior Fair Horse shows will be conducted using the 4-H Uniform Rule in addition to the  following rules. 

Arrival time: Horses may arrive after 10 a.m. Sunday and must be in place by 7 a.m. Monday. 

Show times: All shows are in the Horse Arena 

                           9 a.m. – Monday, Dressage  

                           9 a.m. – Tuesday, Jumping 

                           9 a.m. – Wednesday, English  

                           9 a.m. – Thursday, Western  

                          9 a.m. – Friday, Performance  

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1. The State 4-H Horse Program requires all new members who participate in the Ohio 4-H Horse Program  to participate in the Equine Safety and Ethics Program. This program includes: 

• Having exhibitors and their parents complete EquiStep online horse safety and ethics training each year that they plan to complete a horse project. This program is a requirement of the Ohio 4-H Horse Program and all horse  members across Ohio must comply to participate in 4-H Horse events, contests, shows, workshops, etc.  EquiStep training must be completed by June 1. 

• The youth and the parent/legal guardian must sign the Permission to Participate form developed by  the university attorneys to use in the 4-H Horse Program. Exhibitors and parent/legal guardian must  sign the Permission to participate in 4-H Horse Activities Disclosure and Release of Claims (Liability  Form) to be eligible to participate in Junior Fair Horse activities. The form must be returned to the Ohio  State University Extension Office by the second Saturday on May.  

Horse Project Rules 

1.     See General Rules for Junior Livestock Exhibitors for more information. 

2.     The Junior Fair Horse program will be conducted according to the following rules, as set forth by the Clermont County Junior Fair Board. Penalties for infractions of these rules will be determined by the  Clermont County Junior Fair Board and may include exclusion from the State Fair Qualifying Show,  Clermont County Fair and the Ohio State Fair. 

3.     The term "Junior Fair" is used to mean 4-H, FFA or other organizations recognized as part of Junior Fair.  All members of other organizations must adhere to the Junior Fair rules. 

4.     The term "horse" is used to mean all equines, including ponies, mules and donkeys. 

5.     The Junior Fair Board Horse Committee consists of junior members and the Adult Consultants assigned to  the committee. 

6.     Penalties for infractions to the Horse Rules will be determined through the county grievance procedure  for Clermont County Fair events. See the general livestock rules.

7.     It is required that anyone showing a horse project at the fair obtain and review a copy of the Ohio 4-H  Uniform Horse Rules, as well as, county fair rules, which are in the fair book, for further information and  clarification. Everyone should be aware of the Clermont Junior Fair Board Horse Committee Constitution.  Everyone is responsible for knowing the rules. The Ohio 4-H Uniform Horse Rules book may be obtained  from the Ohio State University Extension Office. 

8.     To exhibit at the Clermont County Fair, all Junior Fair horse exhibitors must be properly enrolled by March 15 of the current year.

9.      A horse picture/description information form/link is to be completed and turned in to the Extension Office no later than 10 a.m. on the second Saturday in May of the current year or uploaded to the appropriate link. The  form must include a color photograph of the project animal (side view with the head turned to camera).  Picture information forms for a production project not yet foaled require a photograph of the mare and  are to include names of sire and dam and anticipated date of foaling. Projects should be measured by advisors and height included on the form. All ponies must be no more than 14.2 hands or 58 inches. 

10.   All animals carried as Junior Fair projects must be in the continual care of the Junior Fair exhibitor by the second Saturday in May of the current year. If project animals are boarded out or kept at a boarding stable, the exhibitor is expected to regularly clean, care for, and exercise the animal(s). Exhibitors may share a project animal, maximum of two members per equine. Shared equines should be due to a hardship or mentoring of  less experienced youth.  

11.  Exhibitors with shared horses (leased or owned) may both show at the county fair but on different days.  Horses will only compete with one exhibitor per day. Immediate family members, such as siblings, may show the same horse on the same day in different divisions. 

12.  Leased animals are permitted only after Junior Fair Board Horse Committee, Adult Junior Fair Board  Consultants, Ohio State University Extension Educators, and Adult Horse Committee approval of the  Standardized State 4-H Lease Form. The Lease Form must be submitted and be on file at the Ohio State  University Extension Office by 10 a.m. the second Saturday of  May of the current year. Lease forms and  hardship cases will be reviewed at the May Junior Fair Board Horse Committee meeting. Failure to comply  with the above will cause you to be ineligible to show at Clermont County 4-H horse fair events. 

13.  After the second Saturday in May of the current year, Junior Fair horse project animals may not be in the hands of a professional trainer. The horse may be boarded at a trainer's stable but cannot be in a  professional training program conducted by a professional trainer. Member and horse may take riding  lessons together. Any instruction given to the member and their project animal whether on the ground or  the instructor mounting the horse for training is acceptable provided the exhibitor is an equal participant. 

14.  Clermont County Junior Fair horse exhibitors may take two equine projects to the county fair. They must  designate which horse/pony they are attempting to qualify on at the Ohio State Fair Qualifying Show. The  animal that the exhibitor qualifies on must be the one that they compete on at the Ohio State Fair.  Exhibitors also may carry a production project, driving, and/or basic training project. 

15.  Unsportsmanlike conduct toward judges, show management or other exhibitors will not be tolerated.  Physical abuse (this includes hitting, whipping a horse with reins or excessive spurring) will not be  tolerated. Violators will be dismissed from the show. Show management and/or the Judge will determine  unsportsmanlike conduct. Anyone found to be exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior will not be able to  show the remainder of the Fair.  

16.  A Junior Fair exhibitor is on his/her own at the time of judging. Sideline coaching will cause  disqualification from all horse show events.

17.  The Junior Fair exhibitor must handle all horses in the ring except for: Driving classes - one person from  the ground must assist the exhibitor. Donkeys and mules - exhibitors may be assisted by the ringmaster to trot  in showmanship. Production - exhibitor may have another exhibitor handle the second animal. 

18.  GROOMING OF THE JUNIOR FAIR PROJECT ANIMAL FOR SHOW IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE LEARNING  EXPERIENCE, THEREFORE: All horse grooming at the Clermont County Fair must be done on the  fairgrounds by the exhibitor. They may have assistance from their immediate family members, Clermont  County 4-H Advisors or other current Clermont County Junior Fair exhibitors (showing at the Clermont  County Fair in the current year). The Junior Fair exhibitor seeking assistance must be present at the time the grooming is taking place. Failure to observe this rule may result in being disqualified from showing at the Clermont County Fair Junior Horse Show. (All State Fair bound exhibitors are asked to review the  sections of the Uniform Horse Rules dealing with "instruction" or other pertinent topics.) 

19.  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 within 30 days of competition in any  State Fair Qualifying Show, Clermont County Fair or the State Fair Junior Horse Show. Showing a 4-H  member’s project in a class at a show is not considered training. However, if the project animal is shown by someone other than the 4-H member in an open or breed show within 30 days prior to the 4-H  competition, the 4-H member must be present and must show the project in that show. Family members can ride a 4-Her’s project horse without the 4-H member being present within the 30-day limit as long as  it is not a daily occurrence and is merely for pleasure (example: Trail riding with relatives or friends) and  does not include training the horse for the show ring. 

20.  Horse stall assignments for the week of the Clermont County Fair will be made by the Junior Fair  Consultants determined by considering the number of days the exhibitor will be showing, and the number of stalls requested by each club.

21.  Exhibitors are responsible for cleaning their stalls and areas. See Rule 3 under Care and Handling in the  General Livestock Rules. 

22.  Before all riding classes begin each day, the judge may inspect horse, rider, and tack. Western tack and  western clothing must be worn in contest classes. Helmets must be worn whenever the exhibitor is on the horse anywhere on the fairgrounds.  

23.  Stallions cannot be used as a Saddle Horse Project but may be shown as part a Production project through the weanling classifications. Mares may be shown beside their weanling, at the judge’s discretion. 

24.  An exhibitor must be in the Basic Training Project to compete in Basic Training classes. 

25.  Mares in the production project also may be shown as a saddle project. Showing a mare in a production  class does not eliminate the animal from other Junior Fair classes. The exhibitor must be enrolled in a  production project to show in production classes. 

26.  Pony classes may be divided into large pony and small pony classes, if necessary (as per size guidelines in  the Uniform Horse Rules). 

27.  Driving rules in the Uniform Horse Rules will be followed. Members may wear the same attire that they  wear in the performance and showmanship classes, as long as they are neat and clean. Gloves and driving whips are required. Classes may be divided for safety. 

28.  Exhibitors that have registered two Equine projects are permitted to show both of their project horses in the same class in the following events: Dressage classes, Jumping classes, Contesting classes, Western Riding, Western Reining, Trail, Trail in Hand, and Ranch Riding. In the event that these classes are a part of a Championship tabulation (Dressage, Jumping, and Contesting), the exhibitor must designate which of their project horses they wish to designate as their point horse prior to 9AM on the day of the show. Exhibitors will designate their point horse using a Google Form. This form will be available for the duration of the Clermont County Junior Fair and the link to the Google Form will be posted outside of the Announcer’s stand. 

29.  The Versatility class is open to members who are 15 years of age as of January 1 of the current year, in  age group classes and have placed first through fifth in Horsemanship, Showmanship, or Equitation in  English, Western, or Jumping. 

a.     The interval for tack changes will be 5 minutes.  

b.     You are allowed three grooms in the ring during tack changes 

c.      Youth, equine animal must remain in the ring or youth will be disqualified. 

d.     During the contesting section, no one is allowed to touch the equine animal once they have been  sent out of the arena. 

e.     If a rider falls off during a class, he/she will receive a zero in that discipline. 

f.       Showmanship placing will be used as a tiebreaker in the versatility class. 

g.     Points shall be consistent with rule 31. 

30.  Showmanship is mandatory for novice and intermediate members. Showmanship is optional for other age  groups. 

31.  High Point Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded for each day. Monday (Dressage), Tuesday  (Hunters), Wednesday (English) and Thursday (Western), Friday (Contest). Champion and Reserve Champion awards on English and Western Day will be decided by a combination of points from three  classes per division (Showmanship, Pleasure, and Equitation/Horsemanship). The Champion and Reserve Champion awards on Performance Day (Friday) will be determined by a combination of four classes per horse/pony division (Barrels, Poles, Stakes, and Key Hole). All championship awards will be calculated using the points system in Rule 32. 

32.  Championship awards will be calculated using the following points system: 

a.               1st Place - 6 points

b.               2nd Place - 5 points

c.                3rd Place - 4 points

d.               4th Place - 3 points

e.               5th Place - 2 points

f.                 6th Place - 1 points

The winner will be determined by which rider/horse combination receives the most points. In the event of a tie, the showmanship score will be used as a tiebreaker. If showmanship is not a class used in the calculation of that championship (Dressage, Jumping, Contesting), a question for the judge will be used as a tiebreaker. 

33.       The Champion Equine Showman will be determined by means of a special class, to be held Thursday of the fair after the Western Showmanship classes. First and Second place winners in the following showmanship classes are eligible to compete in this class: English Showmanship 9-14, Western Showmanship 9-14, English Showmanship 15-18, Western Showmanship 15-18, English Pony Showmanship, and Western Pony Showmanship. The Champion Equine Showman will participate in the Showman of Showmen Contest on Friday during the Clermont County Junior Fair. In the event that the Champion Equine Showman is ineligible to compete in the Showman of Showmen contest per Division XI Section 2, the Reserve Champion Equine Showman will take their place in the Showman of Showmen Contest. 

34.       Winners of Novice and Intermediate Horsemanship or Equitation must move up to the next class the  following year or after two years of being novice or intermediate regardless of the age of the exhibitor.  The Clermont County Junior Fair Board Horse Committee may take special circumstances into  consideration. Exhibitors who show Novice/Intermediate are not eligible to qualify for the Ohio State Fair. 

35.       Members showing in novice and intermediate classes cannot participate in any age group classes, with the exception of dressage classes. See rule 38 for dressage division requirements. 

36.       Jumping Day (Tuesday) Rules

a.           Same Rider/Horse combination may only enter within (2) divisions EXCEPT for Novice Riders as Novice is only walk/trot. Novice riders are only eligible to compete in the Novice Ground Poles division. 

b.          Divisions are consecutive. For Example: Riders entered in the  Intermediate/Age Group Ground Poles Division are also eligible to compete in the  Cross Rail Division and NO OTHER DIVISION.

c.           Exhibitors in the Cross Rain division may also participate in the Beginner Division (18”). These exhibitors would not be allowed to show in the Ground Poles Division. 

d.          Novice Ground Poles:

                           i.               Walk/Trot only, cantering will be penalized.

                          ii.               Novice Riders are NOT eligible for any other division.

e.          Intermediate/Age Group Ground Poles:

                           i.               Walk/Trot only, cantering will be penalized.

                          ii.               Eligible to also enter Cross Rail Division

f.            Cross Rail Class/Divisions:

                           i.               Trotting not to be penalized.

                          ii.               Same Horse/Rider combination eligibility to those who are not or has NEVER shown a 2’ course.

                         iii.               Can also enter into Beginner 18” division (unless was in Ground Poles)

g.          Beginner Rider Hunter (18”):

                      i.Can also enter into Limited Rider 2’ division

h.          Limited Rider Hunter (2’):

                         i.        Can also enter into Children’s 2’-3” division

i.     Children’s Rider Hunter (2’-3”):

                         i.        Can also enter into Special Rider 2’-6” division

j.            Jumper Classes: Available for Horse/Rider combinations starting at 18” height with the same guidelines as the Hunter divisions. Exhibiots CANNOT do all three classes. Exhibitors should enter  the same divisions as they entered  for their Hunter classes.

37.       Easy-Gaited classes will follow the Uniform Rule Book rules. 

38.       Dressage Day (Monday) Rules: 

a.          All 4-H members showing in any Dressage class during the fair must have their bit checked by  the judge the day of the show. See Uniform Rule Book for specifics regarding this rule

b.          No cross entries between Introductory & Training Level

c.           Intro Test C is for intermediate & age group riders

d.          A rider/horse combination who is new to dressage may start in Introductory Level even if they show at higher levels in other disciplines. 

e.          Once the same rider/horse combination shows in training level, they may not return to Introductory Level. A training level rider with a new/inexperienced horse project may move back to introductory level with that horse. 

f.            The same rider/horse combination MUST move up to training level after placing first in Intro C or winning champion or reserve champion for Dressage. 

g.          The same rider/horse combination SHOULD move up to Training Level if they consistently receive a score of 65% or higher in Introductory Level tests. 

39.       Exhibitors participating in the Hunter Showmanship Classes (horse or pony) have the option of showing in  either a leather bridle or leather halter. 

40.       Contesting Rules (Friday):

a.          Bumping a barrel will not cause disqualification or penalty. 

b.          Knocking over a barrel or pole will be a five second penalty. 

c.           Touching a barrel or pole with the member's hand is a disqualification. 

d.          The starting line  for all contest events is designated as the invisible line between the timers.

e.           If two stopwatches are used,  one will be designated as official with the second stopwatch as back-up. An electric timer is preferred, if  available.

f.             In case of a timer malfunction, the rider will not be informed until after the run and a re-run will  be granted with no penalties carried over from their previous run. 

g.          Flags will be run according to P.O.A. rules which will be displayed the day of show. The following rules were pulled from the 2022 POAC Rule Book.

·        Flag to be picked up at first barrel, exhibitor to proceed around the second barrel and deposit flag in container in third barrel and then cross finish line.

·        Knockdown of the freestanding barrel (second barrel) is a 5- second penalty.

·        Disqualification results by the rider dropping the flag, flag not staying in the stuck position in the material inside the container on the third barrel, knocking over any flag container, not going around the second barrel, knocking over the first or third barrel, or using the flag as a bat.

41.       Junior Fair exhibitors receiving an incomplete for the current year may not compete in the Clermont  County Junior Fair shows, including qualifying for State Fair. A copy of each club's bylaws must be on file at the Ohio State University Extension Office by the second Saturday May. Bylaws on attendance and participation in projects are strongly encouraged. 

42.       State Fair Qualifying Rules: 

a.          Junior exhibitors must designate, from a list of State Fair classes, the classes in which  they wish to qualify. They are limited to no more than four classes. 

b.          A youth must qualify in two classes to go to the State Fair. If a person qualifies in more than two classes, they can choose which two they will  enter at the state fair. 

c.           All entries must be submitted to the Ohio State University Extension Office by May 31 of  the current year. 

d.          All current year Ohio State Fair Representatives must participate in the Clermont County Junior Fair Horse  Show, or they are no longer eligible to participate in the State Fair. 

e.          Exhibitors may represent Clermont County at the Ohio State Fair each year.

f.             If an exhibitor elects not to go  to the State Fair in the year they qualify, they will forfeit the chance to qualify for State Fair competition  the following year. Any exceptions to this rule will be placed before the Clermont County Junior Fair  Board Horse Committee for a final ruling. 

g.          Any member who qualifies to represent Clermont County at the Ohio State Fair of the current year must  show their animal at the state fair of the current year. Exceptions are a family-related emergency or  horse-related emergency in which a vet provides a certificate verifying the emergency. If the winner does not show at the State Fair or Clermont County Fair of the current year, unless approved by the Clermont  County Junior Fair Board Horse Committee and Clermont County Adult Horse Committee, they forfeit all  awards. 

43.       Horses should be in reasonable health and condition. If an animal is questionable, the Clermont County Fair veterinarian will be asked to look at the animal. The veterinarian will determine show ability. The show judge also may dismiss a horse if he/she determines the animal is not in reasonable health or  condition, with no questions asked. 

44.       The following shots will be required for the Clermont County Fair for all horses showing at the fair, proof of these shots are required: Flu, Rhino and Tetanus. It is recommended you use the 6-way shot to protect  your horse as well as others. Shots should be given 2 weeks prior to transporting your horse to the fair to be most effective. 

45.       Project animals dying or becoming disabled are permitted to be replaced after being properly approved, but the replacement animal must have been properly registered as a Clermont County 4-H/ FFA Horse project in the current year. The replacement can happen prior to or during the Clermont County Fair. A copy of a veterinarian certificate must accompany the report of the animal becoming disabled or dying.  The report must be submitted to the Ohio State University Extension Office within 72 hours of receiving  the veterinarian certificate. A decision about replacing the horse will be made on an individual basis. This  will be a joint decision between the State University Extension Educators, Junior Fair Board Horse  Committee, and the senior consultants to the Junior Fair Board Horse Committee.