Horse Show General Rules

It is the responsibility of the rider, or the parent or guardian of the exhibitor to see to it that the head gear worn complies with the appropriate safety standards as set forth in the official 4-H policy. A memo will be sent to all CCE/4-H offices each year specifying the "official" 4-H Equine Program head gear.

Cornell Cooperative Extension, NYS 4-H, and the New York State Fair make no representation or warranty expressed or implied about any protective head gear, and caution riders that death or serious injury may result despite wearing such protective head gear, as all equestrian sports involve inherent dangerous risk and as no helmet can protect against all foreseeable injuries.

Proper equestrian footwear with a distinguishable heel and an approved helmet shall be worn at all times that a rider is mounted on an equine, sitting in a cart or handling an equine in a riding arena (whether on the ground, mounted or seated in a cart) at a 4-H sponsored clinic or show.

Exhibitors are responsible for the humane treatment and well-being for any equine in their care. They are to be treated humanely and with dignity and respect. Showing competitively is of secondary importance.

Since 2004: Donkey and Mules will be considered an “equine” and can be shown in any horse or pony classes in all Divisions at the NYS Fair 4-H Horse Show. They must meet all qualification requirements as stipulated in the NYS 4-H Equine Show Rule Book and the State Fair Youth Animal Exhibits book. They must qualify in their county and/or region for any class that they enter in any of these Divisions that are not part of the Donkey/Mule Division. The Donkey/Mule Division rules and qualification requirements do not change.