WA State 4-H Horse Judging Contest

Class 18 – Equine Judging Contest

Superintendent – Pat Pehling
Premium Points: Blue 30, Red 23, White 17

• Lot 1 – Juniors
• Lot 2 – Intermediates
• Lot 3 – Seniors

Event date: Saturday, September 12….registration begins at 8 am in the Pierce County Arena.

• Please refer to all general judging contest rules and National Judging Contest rules found in the General Activities and Contests section of the premium book.
• Each county may enter up to ten juniors, ten intermediates and ten seniors in the equine judging contest. All participants must have received a blue or red ribbon placing at the county qualifying event.
• All equine judging contestants are to register in Fair Entry. One adult should accompany each county team (one for the intermediate team and one for the senior team). Each junior should have an adult with them to assist in registering.
• Participants will judge six classes: two halter classes (any breed or type), one pleasure class (western, hunter, or other than hunter type), one equitation class (stock seat, saddle seat, or hunt seat), plus two other classes. Juniors, Intermediates and seniors will judge the same classes.
• Rules covering classes are in WA State Equine Rule Book, USA Equestrian Rules, and AQHA Rules.
• Horses will not be handled by the contestants, but time will be provided in halter classes for close inspection and observe the horses at a walk and a trot.
• Fifteen minutes will be allowed for contestants to judge non-reasons classes, 17 minutes for a reasons class. This is to allow contestants time to make observations, take notes, and fill out their placing cards.
• One class of oral reasons will be required for intermediates and two classes of oral reasons will be required for seniors. Written reasons will not be a part of the contest. Oral reasons will be scored using the WA 4-H Oral Reasons Score Card, C0737 or C0739. Intermediates may use notes when giving oral reasons; excessive reference to notes will be severely penalized. Seniors may not use notes when giving oral reasons. Juniors will not give oral reasons.
• Only contestants and contest officials will be allowed in the contest arena; portions of the bleachers will also be restricted to contestants only.
• All horses using in judging classes will be considered sound of limb, eye, wind, and mouth. All tack and attire used in riding classes will be considered correct.
• No printed study material is allowed in the contest area. Clipboards and blank note paper are allowed.
• In the event of a tied score, the following criteria will be used:
  • Senior Tie Breakers
    • 1 – Total of Oral Reasons Scores
    • 2 – Total of Oral Reasons Classes Placing Scores
    • 3 – Total of Halter Classes Scores
  • Intermediate Tie Breakers:
    • 1 – Oral Reasons Score
    • 2 – Oral Reasons Class Placing Score
    • 3 – Total of Halter Classes Scores
  • Junior Tie Breakers:
    • 1 – Halter Class score for class used for Senior and Intermediate Oral Reasons
    • 2 – Riding Class Score for class used for Senior Oral Reasons
    • 3 – Total of Halter Classes Scores

13. The top four age eligible senior winners will be identified to represent Washington State 4-H and compete at the Eastern 4-H Equine Roundup in Louisville, KY in November. The eligible senior winners will need to make the decision within five days of the WA state contest, if they are going to attend Eastern 4-H Equine Roundup in Louisville, KY. Only the registration fee is covered by WSU 4-H. No other expenses are covered by WSU 4-H.
14. Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the horse judging contest with the intent of gathering information for the national horse judging contest (see above).For more information regarding the Eastern 4-H Equine Roundup in Louisville KY, see the website at: WSU 4-H Equine/Eastern 4-H Equine Roundup

For additional information about 4-H Horse Judging, please see our WSU Extension Publications Horse Judging Manual.