State 4-H Horse Judging Contest

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The 2003 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest will be held on Saturday, May 3 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Virginia. There will be no limit on the number of contestants per unit. However, "...a county contest, clinic, or organized training session to properly prepare contestants to judge and give reasons... is required". 4-Hers meeting the age and training requirement are eligible to compete in the State 4-H Horse Judging Contest.

Individuals 19 years of age or older before January 1st of current year are ineligible. Junior contestants likewise must turn 9 years of age during the 4-H year (before January 1st). Senior contestants are those 14 years of age or older before January 1st and junior contestants are under 14 years of age as of January lst. This age eligibility conforms to the National 4-H Rules and Regulations.

*** New this year***
Senior Novice Division - This new division for seniors is being included to provide a starting ground for seniors new to 4-H or horse judging who may not be comfortable with giving oral reasons. ANY prior competition in the VA State 4-H Horse Judging Contest (or other state contest) will disqualify a 4-Her from the Novice division. Competing in one smaller contest such as the Block and Bridle Contest does not disqualify the 4-Her from the novice division if the 4-Her is still in their very first year of participation.

Senior 4-Hers in their FIRST YEAR OF COMPETITION AT THE STATE CONTEST may enter the Novice division, which is characterized by not requiring 4-Hers to give reasons. Novice competitors will be entered as INDIVIDUALS ONLY and not be a part of a team score in the senior division. 4-Hers who chose to compete in this division will be eligible for individual awards based on their placings only and a separate division of awards will be provided for this group. Competitors in the novice division will not qualify for the State team to compete nationally since reasons are required at all national contests for the VA State team. Awards will extend through the top 10 individuals in the Senior Novice division with scores compiled from all class placings with no division between halter or performance divisions.

Lunch is required of all senior contestants ($6.00 each). This is payable at registration the morning of the contest. If paying by pre-drawn check, please make payable to Virginia 4-H Foundation. An optional activity for juniors is to give 1 set of oral reasons. The top 10 junior reasons will be provided awards. Juniors giving reasons will also be required to eat lunch at the middle school just as the senior contestants, for the same price. All contestants not giving reasons and all coaches must eat off the grounds (there are fast food restaurants in the area). A reasons clinic for senior novice entries and coaches may be offered after lunch; if there is sufficient interest and a facility is available.

See attached hotel list for lodging. Also attached is a tentative schedule with possible classes.

The State Horse Judging Team will consist of top-placing senior individuals in the state contest. The top individuals will be required to attend training sessions during the summer. Members who have competed in the Horse Judging Contest at the National 4H Horse Round Up in Louisville are not eligible to compete in 4H Horse Judging events.

For additional information please contact Dr. Mark Wahlberg (540/ 231-9161, wahlberg@vt.edu).

VIRGINIA STATE 4-H HORSE JUDGING CONTEST
Rockingham County Fairgrounds
Saturday, May 3, 2003
Harrisonburg, Virginia

7:30 - 8:15 am Registration-All coaches should report to the registration desk located in the barn office and confirm their entries and pick up their judging packs and materials, pay for lunches.

7:50 am Official judges, group leaders and committee chairmen will have a short meeting located in the conference room of the fairgrounds.

Saddlebred	Stock Horses
Morgan	Hunter Ponies
Quarter Horse	Hunter-in-Hand
Appaloosa	Arabian
Walking Horse	Plantation Horses
Draft Horse	Spotted Saddle
Miniature Horses	Racking Horses
Ponies of America	Mountain Pleasure Horses

10:15 - 11:30 Performance Classes (12 min. per class)

English Pleasure	Driving
Western Pleasure	Country English Pleasure
Hunter Under Saddle	Reining
Hunter Pleasure	Hunter Hack
Horsemanship	Equitation (Reasons in any equitation)
Racking	Walking Horse
Plantation Pleasure	Mountain Pleasure
Spotted Saddle Horse

11:30 pm Juniors, coaches, adults - Lunch on your own. Do not return to the reason facility until 3:30 pm. NOTE: Juniors giving optional set of reasons go with senior contestants. Senior contestants and Guest teams - stay with group leaders for lunch and travel to reasons facility ($6.00 per person collected at registration). Everyone else - lunch on your own.

1:00 - 3:30 PM Presentation of oral reasons - Wilber S. Pence Middle, Dayton, VA Juniors (Optional), Seniors & Guest Teams - stay with group leaders

3:30-to finish Official Placings, Review of Classes, Official Judges and Presentation of Awards - Wilber Pence Middle School, Dayton, VA All Contestants and Guests will start immediately following the conclusion of senior reasons

NOTE: Contestants must provide their own pencils and note pads. Contestants may not take any written materials, handbooks, etc. into the contest except for blank note pads for reasons.

Belle Meade Red Carpet Inn US 11 South Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 434-6704	The Rockingham Motel 4035 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-2538
Holiday Inn Express 3325 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-9999	Super 8 Motel 3330 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-8888
Ramada Inn US 11 South Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 434-9981	The Village Inn US 11 South Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 434-7355 (Located just 1-1/2 miles south of exit and across from the fairgrounds. Has a great breakfast buffet.)

Comfort Inn 1440 E. Market Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-6066	Hampton Inn 85 University Boulevard Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Econolodge 1703 East Market Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-2576	Motel 6 US 33 East Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-6939