Eligibility:

• Each contestant must be a bonafide 4-H club member interested in horses. Members of 4-H are not eligible, however, to participate in a horse presentation or illustrated talk if by the date of the district contest they will have completed a year of training beyond the high school level in a communication course that requires public speaking. Participants do not need their own horses.

• The team horse demonstration contest will be divided into 9-10, 11-13, 14-18 divisions. Each county will be allowed to enter one (1) team in each division in district competition during District Activity Days. Team and individual competition are combined into one category - Horse Presentation. Only one winner and runner-up individual or team will be named at district. The oldest member of a team determines the age division for that team's participation. The winners in each division in each district will compete in the state finals which will be held during the STATE 4-H HORSE SHOW. District Activity Day riles will apply towards participation in other activities.

• The state winners and runners-up of the 14-18 division will be eligible to represent North Carolina in the Southern Regional Contest in accordance with the rules of that contest. The state winning 14-18 division team will be eligible to represent North Carolina in the national contest in accordance with the rules of that contest. The state is not responsible for providing expenses to these contests but will attempt to help.

• Previous state winners representing North Carolina in the Southern Regional competition or other national contests are ineligible for further state competition in the same area.

Resources:

North Carolina 4-H Horse Program Rules and Regulations Manual. 1995. 4-H 0-5-19. Pages 93-96.

N.C. 4-H Horse Presentation Score Sheet. Extension Horse Husbandry, NCSU, Box 7523, Raleigh, NC 27695-7523. Phone: 919/515-5784; Fax: 919/515-8518.

4-H Presentations (4H L-1-172) will be helpful in preparing youths for this contest. Also, Judging Presentations and the 4-H Scorecard will be helpful. Both are available from the office of 4-H and Youth Development at North Carolina State University.

Rules/Regulations:

• This contest may be combined with the individual demonstration contest at the discretion of the State Advisory Board. Should the contest be combined, the highest scoring individual and the highest scoring team ranked in the top six places will have the option of representing North Carolina in their respective category at national competition for the year. If they decline, the next highest ranking team or individual placing in the top six will have the option to attend. Consult the annual Advisory Board Minutes.

• Only one team per age division may participate from each county.

• Demonstrations or illustrated talks may be on any horse-related subject.

• A team demonstration must be a minimum of 10 minutes for 14-18 or 5 minutes for 9-10, 11-13 contestants. One point will be deducted per judge, for each minute, or fraction thereof, under 10 minutes (13-18) or 5 minutes (9-10, 11-12); or over 15 minutes.

• The team demonstration or illustrated talk will be judged equally on the following basis:

  Introduction (10 points)

  Organization (25 points)

  Content and Accuracy (25 points)

  Stage Presence (10 points)

  Delivery (15 points)

  Effect on Audience(5 points)

  Summary and Questions(10 points)

• Notes and visuals may be used. However, excessive use of notes may be counted against the contestant, at the discretion of the judge(s). Visuals should be neat, legible, and large enough to permit ease in reading.

• No live animals may be used. State winning demonstrations may be modified to permit the use of live animals at the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Demonstration Contest.

• Only the judge(s) may question contestants during the contest. Question time will not be counted toward the allotted time period. Contestants are encouraged to repeat questions before answering.

• Contestants should note their major references while in competition.

See NC 4-H Presentation Regulations.

Presentation Ideas:

Selecting a Broodmare or Stallion

Important Points in a Breeding Contract

Types of Breeding Systems

How to Tease Mares

Breeding Records

Solving Breeding Problems

Handling and Equipment for Breeding

Care of Mare and Foal

Artificial Insemination

Fertility or Disease

Management Practices for Broodmares

Anatomy and Function of Reproductive Tract

What to Look for in Good Quality Hay

Nutrients-- How They are Used and Supplied

Nutrient Requirements

Balancing a Horse Ration

Digestive Organs in the Horse

How to Select a Supplement

Vitamin Requirements

Feed Management Practices

Pasture Selection, Renovation and/or Fertilization

Types of Pasture

Poisonous Plants

Vaccination Program

Control of Internal Parasites

Control of External Parasites

Founder -- Cause and Treatment

Colic -- How to Recognize, Treat and Prevent

Azoturia or Typing-Up

Sleeping Sickness -- What It Is and

How to Prevent It

Respiratory Diseases

How to Recognize a Sick Horse

What to Know Before Calling Your Veterinarian

How to Bandage a Horse

Emergency First Aid

What is Needed in a First Aid Kit (Barn, Trailer, Breeding Farm)

How to Treat a Leg Injury (Splint, Bowed Tendon, Muscle Sprain, Cut)

Fistula Withers -- Cause, Treatment and Prevention

Thrush -- Recognize, Treatment and Prevention

Swamp Fever

Dummy Foal

Epiphysitis -- Cause and Treatment

How to Locate an Injury

How to Determine Lameness

How to Give an Injection

Deworming Methods

Facilities Required

Medicating the Untrained or Stubborn Horses

Design Farm or Barn

Stall Requirements, Shelter, Bedding

How to Determine the Horse's Age

Make a Measuring Stick and Show How to Measure Horses

How to Prepare a Yearling for Sale

Types of Fences for Horse Pasture

Clipping the Problem Horse

Trimming the Horse's Feet Correctly

Trailer Safety

How to Keep Records on a Horse Farm

Care of the Newborn Foal

Shoeing -- When to Shoe, Shoe Selection, Corrective Shoeing

Horseman's Knots -- How and When to Use Them

Conformation as it Relates to Athletic Ability

Important Points in Buying a Horse

Specific Discussion on a Structural

Unsoundness -- Bench Knees, Parrot Mouth, Etc.

How to Evaluate and Compare Horses Objectively

How to Organize and Give Oral Reasons

How to Judge a Working Hunter Class, Western Pleasure, Reining, Etc.

Anatomy of the Front Leg

Anatomy of the Foot

Anatomy and Function of the Eye

Training:

How to Catch, Halter and Lead a Horse

How and Where to Tie a Horse

Teaching A Foal to Lead Vices and How to Prevent Them

Loading Problem Horses

Selecting the Proper Bit

Breaking a Young Horse

Bitting Rigs

How to Train a Horse to Rein, Stop, Jump, Etc.

Training a Western Pleasure Horse, Reining, Hunter, Race Horses, Etc.

Rider Aids

When and How to Use Draw Reins, Tiedowns, Etc.

Genetics:

Registration Papers -- How to Complete What They Say

Coat Colors or Markings --How to Differentiate

Genetics of Coat Color

Genetics of Speed, Conformation

Evolution of the Horse

History of Quarter Horses Linebreeding -- Why

Crossbreeding -- Is It Helpful

Genetic Defects

Showing:

Discuss Attire for a Specific Riding Style

Show and Discuss Riding Seat (Saddle, Hunt or Stock)

Tips for Showmanship

Grooming a Horse Correctly

What is Judged in Western Riding, English Pleasure, Etc.

How to Thin Manes and Tails

How to Braid Horses

Selecting the Correct Saddle to Fit

Organizing or Conducting a Horse Show

Miscellaneous:

Discuss a Riding Event -- Fox Hunting, Endurance Races, Steeple Chases, Racing, Competitive Trail Riding, Polo, Etc.

How to Fix a Bridle, Halter, or Saddle

Making Your Own Equipment (Bridle, Blankets, Halter, Etc.)

History and Attributes of Morgans

Horse Psychology

How to Photograph Horses

How to Build A Creep Feeder

How to Restore, Clean, and Preserve Leather

Methods of Horse Identification

Judging:

• Judge's will review and critique each presentation prior to announcing the state winners.

• The NC 4-H Horse Presentation Score Card will be used.

• Judges will be instructed to ask questions pertaining specifically to the topic. The audience is prohibited from asking questions.

Awards:

• District Winners: Receive a certificate.

• State Winners: 9-10, 11-13 is an award.  14-18 winner receives travel scholarship to attend national contest.

Donor: N.C. Hunter/Jumper Association.

Specialist: Dr. Bob Mowrey
NCSU, Box 7523
Raleigh, NC 27695-7523
Phone: 919/ 515-5784
Fax: 919/ 515-8518
Bob_Mowrey@ncsu.edu

Go to NC 4-H Horse Presentation Score Card

Return to NC 4-H Presentation Guidelines