Minnesota 4-H Horse Project
Activities

• State 4-H Horse Show--This annual show is held each year in mid-September at the fairgrounds in St. Paul. Each county sends a number of 4-H'ers based on the enrollment in the horse projects. State Show winners may ride in any class at the State Show in which they received a blue at the county show.
• Educational Grants -- Grant money is available to counties or clusters for educational purposes. 
• Expo Tack & Clothing Consignment Sale--This is a money-raising sale held at Horse Expo in April each year. Thousands of items are consigned to the sale. MFHA receives a percentage of each sale. This sale is the major fund raising event for MFHA
• Horse Bowl --This is a quiz bowl contest between teams of 4 4-H'ers. They are asked horse-related questions. The highest scoring team wins the match. It is a double elimination contest. There are regional contests with top teams qualifying to go on to the state contest. The top teams at state are eligible for national contests in Denver, Illinois, and Oklahoma. Bowls are held in April.
• Horse Judging  --This contest may be entered as a team or as an individual at the State 4-H Horse Show in September. Teams place 4 halter classes and 2 performance classes. Each team member gives oral reasons on one halter class. Awards are given to teams and individuals. Top placing teams are eligible for national trips to Denver, Albuquerque, Louisville, & Oklahoma.
• Speech & Demonstration Contest --This contest is held only at the state level and winners in each division are eligible for national contests. The speech or demonstration must be horse-related. Two national trips are awarded.
• Western Heritage--Regional events are held to teach 4-H'ers about roping, followed by competition roping and team penning. Qualifying riders are eligible to participate in the State Roping Contest at the State Horse Show.
• Winter Roundup --This is a horse leaders forum held yearly in January or February for adult horse leaders and MATURE junior leaders. It includes workshops and speakers pertaining to the 4-H Horse project and horses in general.
• Awards and Recognition --Each year at the state 4-H Awards and Recognition, participants submit the required material and take part in an evaluation and interview process. The top winner in the state is the recipient of the Dan Patch Award.  Members and counties may nominate an adult leader for the Green Blood Award.
• Judges Certification -- Each year a certification seminar is held to certify judges to judge 4-H Horse Shows. Speakers cover different aspects of judging horse shows. Working with youth in a positive constructive manner is emphasized.
• Paint Horse Giveway - Eagles Ridge Ranch, River Falls, WI, in cooperation with the Minnesota 4-H Horse Association announce the forth WIN A PAINT HORSE competition.  The WIN A PAINT HORSE competition is open to all Minnesota 4-H members actively involved in or planning to be involved in the 4-H horse project.

  COUNTY ACTIVITIES

  Many counties provide clinics to help horse members learn to ride and show their horses. Some hold camps, trail rides, and special events. Volunteers coach county Bowl, Judging and Hippology Teams.

  Some counties or districts have camps for 4-H'ers and their horses. These may be for one day or a weekend.

  They hold project days inviting veterinarians, farriers, nutritionists, trainers etc. to educate their members about the responsibilities of owning a horse.