4-H For Horses at the NYS Fair

4-H Horse Participation (4-H Members/Volunteers Only): Bringing your horse to the fair is a wonderful way to engage with the public and educate them about equine care and activities. It's important to have horses available for the public to view to help raise awareness and appreciation for the equine industry. Youth who bring their horses should plan to spend some time each day interacting with visitors and sharing information about their horse.

Requirements:

• Owners are responsible for daily care of their horse
• Owners will be required to provide feed.
• Shavings will be provided.
• Up-to-date Coggins and rabies vaccinations are required.
• Youth participants should spend some time in the building helping teach others about their horse- such as the breed, how they care for their horse etc.
• Horses will be in their stall for the public to view- if you would like to bring your horse out for some type of demonstration, we would be happy to facilitate this. 

What to Expect: 

The building: The 4-H For Horses building has 6 stalls- we are hoping to have at least 5 horses on site every day that we are open. Stalls at 12x12 and shavings will be provided. 

After you register to have your horse in the building, Brieanna will confirm that your registration was received with all the appropriate paperwork (Rabies and Coggins). Within three business days you will get your confirmed dates to have your horse at the fair. Note, this is our first year doing this- so please have grace and be prepared to give us feedback as we adjust and improve. After you receive your confirmed dates at the fair- you will receive an ag-loading pass and admission passes for you and your chaperone. You will be responsible for caring for your horse while at the fair. 

Important: being in a stall for multiple days, with new spells, sounds, and 100s of different people can be overwhelming and is not a suitable environment for many horses. Horse welfare is at the top of our priorities, please take that into consideration when choosing an animal to bring as an exhibit. 

Youth and chaperone bringing animals are eligible to stay in the 4-H Dorms on the fair ground and adjacent to the 4-H For Horses Barn. You can sign up for dorm accommodations with Autumn Lavine at aml84 [at] cornell.edu (aml84[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Follow Link for Horse Registration: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6mOhLTeiAwwTls2

4-H Club Exhibits (4-H Members/Volunteers Only): This is a special opportunity for 4-H clubs to receive funding to create exhibits showcasing the equine industry. Exhibits should be creative and informative, covering any aspect of horses. Exhibits must be on site for at least three days.

Parameters:

• Space: Each exhibit will have a 10x5 space or a horse stall.
• Stipend: Up to $500 per exhibit/table. This will be reimbursed you CCE County after Fair
• Exhibits with intentions to be manned by 4-H members and leaders are preferred but static exhibits will be considered.

What to expect: The 4-H 4-Horses Building is a small building just off the end of the 4-H Building. Exhibitors will be expected to come in the morning of the date scheduled to set up and be prepared for 10:00am opening. Depending on the size of the exhibit and what materials will be brought will determine what passes distributed. For example: a large exhibit with something that needs to be driven in will require an ag delivery pass, however those can only be used in the morning before the fair starts so you would have to depart the morning after your last day. Otherwise- if you can wagon in and out- you are welcome to leave when the building closes at 5pm. Once registrations are in, and building schedule is made, each exhibit will have an opportunity to sign up the appropriate parking and admission passes needed. 

To register an Exhibit please follow this link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_exPuLjNbCmej1Zk

Organizations related to the equine industry are invited to have a table at the fair. This is a chance to connect with the public and promote equine industries! 

Important: this is an opportunity to educate the public on equine-related topics, not a sales opportunity. Sales of any kind are prohibited, and an educational component must be clear in your registration. Non-profits and educational institutions are preferred. 

What to expect: You will be expected to arrive and set up before 10:00 am on the day that you are scheduled- and can leave any time after 5pm. If you are able to stay for more than one day- you are welcome to leave your set up overnight. While the building will be locked up, the NYS Fair and 4-H Horse are not responsible for your belongings. There must be someone manning your table at all times. 

If you are proposing a demonstration of sorts- farrier demonstrations, or equipment demonstration please include the space you would require in the registration.  

Details:

• Includes: 1 table, 2 chairs, 1 parking pass, and 2 admission tickets.
• Additional parking passes and admission tickets available upon request if deemed necessary.
• There are opportunities for organizations to bring horses to the fair, and encouraged for demonstrations. Please indicate if you are interested in bringing horses to the fair in the registration.

Follow Link for Tabling or Demonstration Registration: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6oiyJRjnSqjjBqK

We need dedicated volunteers to help man the 4-H for Horses building. Volunteers are compensated for lunch and must be a NYS 4-H volunteer.

What to Expect for Volunteers:

• Open Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily.
• Volunteers are crucial for the success of our exhibit, expected to assist in various capacities throughout the day.
• Volunteers not currently registered with NYS 4-H can be accommodated with prior registration.
• Each volunteer shift is a minimum of 4 hours, with meal compensation and necessary passes provided.
• After you register Brieanna will reach out to coordinate a schedule and confirm your volunteer credentials are up-to-date. 

Volunteers will play a critical role in ensuring the exhibit runs smoothly, providing assistance with guest interactions, exhibit maintenance, and general operations. Your participation is invaluable, and we aim to make your experience rewarding and enjoyable.

Follow this link for volunteer registration: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cU8AtGhKujbktjE

The NYS 4-H Horse Program is offering a new program this year at the Great NYS Fair!  We are offering an art program, like static exhibits, but all relating to the horse project!  The art will be displayed at the NYS Fair in our own 4-H for Horses Barn.  This will be an exhibition; no pieces will be evaluated but youth will receive premiums for their displayed pieces! 

All educators with youth who have art submissions and youth/families who have submissions will receive an email once the deadline to submit entry forms has passed with more information on drop off and pick up time frames and pick up!

The deadline to enter is August 10th, 2024!

View the NYS 4-H Horse Art Program Rules and Guidelines here:  https://cornell.app.box.com/file/1599608689656

To enter, fill out the entry form here:  https://cornell.app.box.com/file/1599609640752?s=6uk6i66xvx7plqda8s3lrzidsacm472d

If you have any questions, contact Jessica Tyson at jms943 [at] cornell.edu (jms943[at]cornell[dot]edu).