 Open to all Van Buren County Youth 6 years of age up to and including 19 years of age as of December 31 of the current year. |
| The following are SPECIAL 4-H AWARDS and are available for 4-H members only: High Point Revolving All Around Trophy, High Point Gymkhana Trophy, High Point Revolving English Horse Trophy, High Point Revolving Western Horse Trophy, High Point Revolving English Pony Trophy, Abby Baker Memorial Revolving High Point Western Pony Trophy, and Stephanie Tucker Memorial Revolving Pee Wee Trophy |
| The Abby Baker Memorial Trophy is in memory of Abby Baker who died from a brain tumor at the age of 15 in 1988. Abby loved to ride and show her pony. For several years prior to her illness, 4-H activities and showing at the Fair were an annual highlight. The Abby Baker Revolving Trophy is sponsored by her family. |
| The Stephanie Tucker Revolving Memorial Pee Wee Trophy was donated by her family to encourage the pee wee pony and horse exhibitors. Stephanie was a 4-Her for many years and horse exhibitor from 1972-76. She enjoyed working with the young exhibitors in her club. Because of this interest in young riders, her family wanted this Memorial Trophy to be for the ones that normally are not in contention to receive a trophy. |
| Horse registrations must be received at the Extension Office by May 1. All equine class and jumping sheet registrations are due on June 15. Entry forms are available from the Cooperative Extension Office and when completed, should be returned there. |
| All new ponies will be measured at Fair. Animals under 56" will be shown as a pony. Any animal that measures 56" will have the choice to show as a pony or horse but will be requred to remain in that classification as long as they are shown by that exhibitor. An exhibitor that is 14 years or older may not ride a pony 50" and under in equitation or pleasure classes. |
| A rules meeting will be held and exhibitors must attend during the Fair. |
| Any request for change of horse must be accompanied by a vet certificate. If the change is for safety reasons, the leader and exhibitor may request a change. If the Horse Council accepts the change, they will not receive point or be eligible for sweepstakes. |
| Any protest or complaints are to be submitted in writing, signed, and given to the Fair Board for action.Cruelty to any equine, including the use of illegal tack, by an exhibitor will be handled as unsportsmanlike conduct. Cruelty to any equine inflicted by any other individual will be cause for removal from the Horse Complex by any Horse Council member and will be addressed with the horse representative of the Fair Board. |
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All horses/ponies will be stabled on the dates and times listed in the current Fair book. Early removal, without Fair Board approval, will result in forfeit of premiums earned. |
| Equine may be exercised at the time listed in the current Fair Book. Pee Wee exhibitors must be accompanied by a responsible adult during exercise time. |
| Barn Rules |
| No open toed shoes are allowed in the barn area (exhibitors). |
| No electric grooming equipment will be allowed. |
| No horse/pony is allowed in the aisle-way of the barns. The aisleways must be passable at all times for safety purposes. No tack allowed in the aisles at any time. |
| Horses are to be led and walked at all times near the barns. No trotting. |
| Exhibitor's horse/pony can only be tied at the wash rack. |
| No nails or screws allowed in the supporting wood (6x6' of the barn). |
| For security reasons, two approved adult males will stay overnight in each barn. |
| Water barrels (painted red) with pails attached are located in each horse shelter and are to be used for fire safety purposes only. |
| When an exhibitor's horse/pony is out of its stall in the barn area, each exhibitor is responsible for cleaning up any manure deposit left by his/her animal. This rule also applies to the wash rack area and the areas around the barn. |
| Exhibitors must help clean barns. The Horse Barn Superintendent will maintain an exhibitor checklist. |
| Exercising |
| Exhibitors or horse/ponies creating a biting or kicking problem will be asked to voluntarily take their animal home. Premiums earned will be paid. Fair Board decision will be final. |
| No practicing gymkhana at any time on the fairgrounds. |
| Exhibitor must remain straddling the horse and facing forward. |
| No double-riding or bareback except in designated bareback riding classes. |
| Exhibitors only shall ride their exhibit horses/ponies. No one other than an exhibitor may ride an exhibitor's horse/pony at any time during fair week. |
| A parent or responsible adult must accompany the pee wee and remain with him/her during the exercise time.English or Western boots must be worn when riding, with the exception of the costume class. |
| Medical |
| No tranquilizer shall be administered to any horse/pony during fair week except by a vet. A tranquilizer is defined as: a mind-altering drug designed to calm or otherwise change the disposition of the horse/pony. |
| If any horse/pony is to receive any medication or vitamins during fair week, it must be reported on an emergency sheet. The Barn Superintendent must approve all non-prescription medications. |
| Exhibitors shall lead their animals unless in exercise and show areas. |
| Exhibitors are the only ones allowed to ride their animals. |
| All exhibitors must show in a fitting and showing class and an equitation class if the horse is over 3 years of age in order to receive premiums. |
| Unsportsmanlike conduct, unfavorable attitudes and other objectionable behavior of exhibitors will result in the loss of all points, loss of state show selection, loss of class trophies and any media attention. The Judge and/or Horse Show Superintendent will have the option to have the exhibitor removed for the day. The present members of the Horse Council will meet with the Fair Board of Directors to decide if the exhibitor should be removed for the rest of the fair week. The exhibitor has the option to attend this meeting. |
| All exhibitors must show in only one fitting and showing class. Exhibitors failing to comply, will not receive any horse/pony premium money. |
| Leadline definition: Exhibitors may choose to show in leadline at a walk. Leadline is required. Classes include showmanship, costume, leadline equitation, and leadline pleasure. |
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Novice Exhibitor Definition: First year horse/pony exhibitors, ages 9-19. Exhibitors are only eligible to show as a novice their first year at the Van Buren Youth Fair unless they have shown at a youth fair in the State, even if they switch horses/ponies. |
| An exhibitor with a horse/pony three years old and over, must show in an equitation class or the pleasure driving horse/pony class. |
| Dressage: Exhibitors may choose their entry level. You may not enter in Level II. A score of 60% or higher must move to the next level. A lower score may choose to stay or move up a level. You may ride dressage in either saddle seat or hunt seat appointments. |
| All championship classes are optional. Pee Wee may not go in any championship class. |
| Pee Wee may enter the gymkhana and trail classes at the discretion of the parents. |
| A limit of two exhibitors sharing a horse is permitted, as long as it does not conflict with classes. |
| An adult may ride in the cart for driving classes. |
| Adults are to lead in the leadline and costume classes. Only one adult and one exhibitor will be allowed in the costume class. |
| The mandatory helmet check will be on Monday afternoon and an inspection ID will be affixed to the helmet. This helmet will be the only one allowed for the exhibitor in gymkhana and hunter classes. We will also inspect helmets prior to gymkhana starting on Friday, should there be a need. |
| There will be a one day show. The show will be offered at minimum cost to pay judge's fees. |
| The show will be for exhibitors that have met all of the following requirements: 1) properly completed paperwork, i.e. fair registration, Jumping form, State Show interest form, and two full page handwritten essay; 2) completed the State Show Qualifier class list form; 3) community service hours as required in the 2006 rules; and 4) meet the State Horse Show age requirements. All horse show forms are due May 1st at the Extension Office. |
| This will be a double judged show and all points earned will count toward State Show consideration. |
| Everyone coming to the show will need to be prepared to pay for and complete all State Show paperwork on that day. The fees begin at $50.00 and may be higher based on personal requirements.Each exhibitor at this show is required to select six classes from the list that has been established. Showmanship is required and will be one of the classes. |
| You will be required to sign-up in the category that you signed up for to go to fair, i.e. Performance vs. Regular. Individuals signing up for performance will be required to sign-up for the four gymkhana classes as well as Showmanship. |
| There will be no ribbons, only placing announcements and points. The points system will be the same as published in the Rules for 2006. |
| An exhibitor must choose which riding pattern they will do, either English or Western. Flying lead changes will be required, there is no longer a simple pattern. |
| The trail class will be running throughout the day. You will need to do the trail pattern during any opportunity that is open. |
| We will only offer one English Equitation class for each age group. You will need to choose either Saddle Seat or Hunt Seat. |
| There will be dressage and you must do the pattern that you have signed up with for fair. This pattern will need to be noted on the registration form for this show. |
| Gymkhana events will be monitored by a moderator. Helmet inspection and tack checks will be completed by the Committee. |
| * * * * * * * | NOTEBOOKS: Young Explorers must complete an educational project which may include a notebook on Horses/Ponies. All notebooks must be completed to Van Buren County Notebook standards - Van Buren Notebook Rules BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR CURRENT FAIR BOOK FOR RULE CHANGES. GO TO LARGE ANIMAL RULES FOR ADDITIONAL RULES |
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ENGLISH |
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FITTING AND SHOWING |
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GYMKHANA AND TRAIL |
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WESTERN |
