4-H Activities & Contests
The Northern Chester County 4-H Horse & Pony Club participates in the following activities and contests throughout the year.
For areas of interest, contact a 4-H leader or watch for more information and exact times of these events at our monthly meetings, online calendar and newsletters.
Hippology Contest
In March, members can test their knowledge of the horse; anatomy, tack (English and Western), feed, bits, shoes and anything else related to horses or 4-H information. Practices are held before the contest to review as many topics as possible.
Public Speaking Contest
In March, members 13-18 years of age can prepare and present a speech or team up with another 4-H member to give a demonstration or presentation on any horse related subject.
Horsemanship Skills Program
The Horsemanship Skills Program is a planned progression of horse handling and riding skills, with an emphasis on safety and education, not competition! 4-H members are evaluated and must complete one level before advancing to next level. The program is optional, and every youth may participate. Youth may share horses.
Horse Bowl Contest
Open to members 13-18 years of age, who are enrolled in 4-H horse projects to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. Selected teams to represent Pennsylvania in horse bowl contests at Quarter Horse Congress (2 teams) and at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup (1 team).
Horse Judging
If you were shown four horses, would you be able to tell which horse had the best conformation and why? Come learn what to look for. Then you can test your knowledge of conformation and way of going for different breeds. There are also under saddle classes to judge. Practices are held at area farms to see the horses and hear the traits explained. The 4-H horse judging contest is held in June.
Summer Camps
The Summer is the time to enjoy camp. July is the month for 4-H camp. Camp Shehaqua, in Hickory Run State Park, is a camp just for ALL state 4-H members ages 8-14. If you are 15 or older, you can apply to be a counselor. There is lots of room for fun activities and they even have a ropes course. If you do not want to go that far from home, there are many, non-4H, locally run horse and pony camps throughout the summer for various levels of experience that many of our members help and participate in. For more information, please contact a club leader.
State Achievement Days
This is the 3-day event, held in the Summer at Penn State University, where 4-Hers from all counties in the state come together to meet. They can also compete in a variety of competitions ranging from barbecue to fashion. Of particular interest to our club members are the contests in Hippology, Horse Judging, Public Speaking and Horse Bowl.
County Round-Up
This is the Chester County 4-H Show held once a year in August at the 4-H Romano Center in HoneyBrook. Top placings in state eligible classes are able to advance to the Regional Show. If you qualify at the Regionals, you move on to the State 4-H show in Harrisburg. (Please reference the 4-H rule book for individual class qualifications).
Over The Hill Horse Show
In the fall, the club organizes and holds the Over The Hill Horse Show. The kids run the show and only those over the ripe old age of 18 may participate in the classes. There are many ways for you to be involved in this event and support this great 4-H club fundraiser.
4-H Regional Horse Show
Those 4-H members that show with a top placing in eligible classes at County Round-Up may participate in the Regional 4-H Horse Show in August. The event location rotates from year to year at one of our district 4-H Centers. If you qualify at Regionals, you move on to the State 4-H show in Harrisburg.
PA State Competitive Trail Ride
The state competitive trail ride is usually held in the Rothrock State Forest in September.The ride is approximately 25-miles long and takes about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours to complete. Judges evaluate the condition of the horses and skills of the riders. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
PA State 4-H Horse Show
The Annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show takes place in October at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Approximately 850 youth and 900 horses competed in 49 performance and 79 production classes. The state show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse club members enrolled in performance and production projects. To be eligible for the show, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county, regional and district levels. Events include breed conformation and futurity classes, showmanship, equitation, pleasure, jumping, driving, western riding, trail, county team, pleasure pairs, and timed events. A therapeutic riding division for riders with disabilities is also included.
PA 4-H Junior Horse Championship Show
At the end of June, the Junior Horse Championship Show is an opportunity for youths to show off their production animals from yearling through 5 years of age. The classes range from in-hand to undersaddle/in harness. Classes are divided by breed, age, and sex. In halter classes, animals must meet or exceed minimum breed and industry standards for conformation and breed type in order to receive blue ribbons at the preliminary level.
Christmas Caroling
In December, decorate your horse with reindeer ears and garland or ride in a horse-drawn cart as the Chester County 4-H Horse and Pony Club goes Christmas Caroling around Chester Springs, PA.
End of Year Feast
In December/January, join us for the clubs annual, end-of-the-year feast. Each member is asked to bring a covered dish and an unwrapped item which is raffled off. Completed and graded project books and awards are also presented at this time.
In March, members can test their knowledge of the horse; anatomy, tack (English and Western), feed, bits, shoes and anything else related to horses or 4-H information. Practices are held before the contest to review as many topics as possible.
Public Speaking Contest
In March, members 13-18 years of age can prepare and present a speech or team up with another 4-H member to give a demonstration or presentation on any horse related subject.
Horsemanship Skills Program
The Horsemanship Skills Program is a planned progression of horse handling and riding skills, with an emphasis on safety and education, not competition! 4-H members are evaluated and must complete one level before advancing to next level. The program is optional, and every youth may participate. Youth may share horses.
Horse Bowl Contest
Open to members 13-18 years of age, who are enrolled in 4-H horse projects to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. Selected teams to represent Pennsylvania in horse bowl contests at Quarter Horse Congress (2 teams) and at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup (1 team).
Horse Judging
If you were shown four horses, would you be able to tell which horse had the best conformation and why? Come learn what to look for. Then you can test your knowledge of conformation and way of going for different breeds. There are also under saddle classes to judge. Practices are held at area farms to see the horses and hear the traits explained. The 4-H horse judging contest is held in June.
Summer Camps
The Summer is the time to enjoy camp. July is the month for 4-H camp. Camp Shehaqua, in Hickory Run State Park, is a camp just for ALL state 4-H members ages 8-14. If you are 15 or older, you can apply to be a counselor. There is lots of room for fun activities and they even have a ropes course. If you do not want to go that far from home, there are many, non-4H, locally run horse and pony camps throughout the summer for various levels of experience that many of our members help and participate in. For more information, please contact a club leader.
State Achievement Days
This is the 3-day event, held in the Summer at Penn State University, where 4-Hers from all counties in the state come together to meet. They can also compete in a variety of competitions ranging from barbecue to fashion. Of particular interest to our club members are the contests in Hippology, Horse Judging, Public Speaking and Horse Bowl.
County Round-Up
This is the Chester County 4-H Show held once a year in August at the 4-H Romano Center in HoneyBrook. Top placings in state eligible classes are able to advance to the Regional Show. If you qualify at the Regionals, you move on to the State 4-H show in Harrisburg. (Please reference the 4-H rule book for individual class qualifications).
Over The Hill Horse Show
In the fall, the club organizes and holds the Over The Hill Horse Show. The kids run the show and only those over the ripe old age of 18 may participate in the classes. There are many ways for you to be involved in this event and support this great 4-H club fundraiser.
4-H Regional Horse Show
Those 4-H members that show with a top placing in eligible classes at County Round-Up may participate in the Regional 4-H Horse Show in August. The event location rotates from year to year at one of our district 4-H Centers. If you qualify at Regionals, you move on to the State 4-H show in Harrisburg.
PA State Competitive Trail Ride
The state competitive trail ride is usually held in the Rothrock State Forest in September.The ride is approximately 25-miles long and takes about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours to complete. Judges evaluate the condition of the horses and skills of the riders. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
PA State 4-H Horse Show
The Annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show takes place in October at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Approximately 850 youth and 900 horses competed in 49 performance and 79 production classes. The state show is the final competition of the year for 4-H horse club members enrolled in performance and production projects. To be eligible for the show, members must advance through qualifying competitions at county, regional and district levels. Events include breed conformation and futurity classes, showmanship, equitation, pleasure, jumping, driving, western riding, trail, county team, pleasure pairs, and timed events. A therapeutic riding division for riders with disabilities is also included.
PA 4-H Junior Horse Championship Show
At the end of June, the Junior Horse Championship Show is an opportunity for youths to show off their production animals from yearling through 5 years of age. The classes range from in-hand to undersaddle/in harness. Classes are divided by breed, age, and sex. In halter classes, animals must meet or exceed minimum breed and industry standards for conformation and breed type in order to receive blue ribbons at the preliminary level.
Christmas Caroling
In December, decorate your horse with reindeer ears and garland or ride in a horse-drawn cart as the Chester County 4-H Horse and Pony Club goes Christmas Caroling around Chester Springs, PA.
End of Year Feast
In December/January, join us for the clubs annual, end-of-the-year feast. Each member is asked to bring a covered dish and an unwrapped item which is raffled off. Completed and graded project books and awards are also presented at this time.