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ACTIVITIES

There are a number of staple activities that the Kenosha County 4-H Horse Project does every year for its members along with others that look to either ramp up or enhance. Those being clinics, workouts, and mini camp to name a few. This area will help you understand those activities.

CLINICS

Horse Training

We are very fortunate to have a number of world class trainers residing in our area that are willing to come teach and work with our riding youth members. These clinicians help the youth understand the behaviors of their horses, work through maneuvers, improve their horsemanship skills and expand their knowledge of various facets pertaining to English and Western pleasure riding. These clinics are usually a full day with the day split in half where one group of beginner and intermediate skilled riders will have four hours dedicated to them with the clinician and the other four hours is for the advanced and well versed riders to have their turn to enhance their skills and knowledge. We tend to average two of these clinics per year. These events will be announced throughout our communication resources and placed on our calendar.

HIPPOLOGY

Hippology is an activity that can enhance learning for 4-H members by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a competitive setting. The term "Hippology" comes from the Greek "hippo", meaning horse, and "ology", meaning "the study of". Participants will be able to demonstrate their experience and knowledge gained in horse judging, quiz bowl, speeches, and practical horse management.

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Phases of the contest include a written exam, identification of items shown on slides, judging, ID stations including feedstuffs, and team problems. On our Google Drive you can find various materials under the Hippology folder.

HORSE BOWL

Horse Bowl is a quiz contest made up of questions pertaining to horse topics. Pairs of four-person teams compete against each other responding to questions asked by a contest moderator. Each team is given credit for correct answers, and in some cases a penalty for incorrect answers. The team with the highest score at the end of the contest is declared the
winner.

HORSE JUDGING

In Horse Judging, youth learn to evaluate a horse's form as it relates to function, and compare it to the ideal as well as to other horses. The added benefit is that it gives youth the opportunity to sharpen their decision making skills and their ability to defend those decisions.

HORSE SHOWS

We host two open horse shows each year which mean our members and the public are invited to come and compete. These shows are a blend of pleasure and gymkhana. The pleasure portion is the first portion of the show consisting of halter, showmanship, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunter under saddle, and equitation. The gymkhana portion happens at the end of the pleasure show and offers classes such as barrel racing, plug, keyhole, poles, flags, etc. These happen during the summer and follow 4-H state regulations.

WISCONSIN 4-H TACK SALE AT MIDWEST HORSE FAIR

Volunteer your time at the Wisconsin State 4-H Tack Sale which happens prior to the opening of Midwest Horse Fair Wednesday and throughout the event until Sunday. This event helps fund the horse shows put on at the state level. A minimum of four hours is required to attain some of the perks for working the sale. It is a huge event that requires a lot of man power. If you are interested please reach out to Ms. Krupinski. This event typically takes place mid-April of every year. 

MINI CAMP

A weekend educational events on and off the horse.  This can consist of arts and crafts, learning different disciplines like working cow horse or understanding the work of an equine chiropractor or a professional breeder. It's a great way for members to work together and get to know one another.

MODEL HORSE

Model Horse Project is an educational program, entailing the collecting, photographing and showing of model horses. This sincere hobby inspires 4‑H'ers to pursue perfection, authenticity and artistry. The "world of the model horse show" involves a vast equine knowledge and skill to reproduce the realism needed to portray the image of a live horse. The world of model horses is both interesting and informative. 4‑H horse lovers of all ages will enjoy participating in this project. It is especially accommodating for 4‑H'ers who do not have horses or for 4‑H'ers who, because of health reasons, cannot physically work around live horses.

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Exhibiting and photographing model horses can be a total learning experience. 4‑H'ers discover the structure of the horse—anatomy and conformation; way-of-going; colors; markings; proper tack, equipment and attire; and styles of riding and showing. Numerous skills are developed in sculpting, painting, leather-work, photography, collecting and record keeping. The only limitations are your knowledge and imagination. The ultimate goal is to take the specific action of a live horse, freeze it in time and portray it in model size. Realism and correctness are the intent.

 

Model horse shows were started by adults in the mid-1960s, first with the "photo" show and later the "live" show. In a photo show, a picture of a model horse is assessed. The horse is photographed at halter or in a performance class. The photo is sent to a "photo show" to be judged. A "live show" is where the actual model is exhibited and judged.

WORKOUTS

We have two types of workouts for our riders that are held during the summer - pleasure and gymkhana.  These workouts are held to better our members horsemanship skills with their equine partner. Many may not have the opportunity to ride with others or work with experts. We want to give our members the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and improve their horsemanship skills.

pleasure

Pleasure workouts typically take place on Wednesday evenings at the fairgrounds starting in June from 6PM to 8PM up until the county fair. These workouts are lead by an experienced equestrian within our community who is either an amateur exhibitor at the breed circuit level, e.g. AQHA, APHA, or a professional trainer. They tend to focus on horsemanship, equitation, and showmanship.

gymkhana*

Gymkhana workouts are typically scheduled based on clinician’s availability and held at the fairgrounds. They tend to begin in June and run until at least August 1. Gymkhana workouts are led by professionals in the speed events such as barrel racing and poles. They educate the riders on the proper exercises, cues, and how to execute the patterns correctly along with what to feel and look for in each of their runs. The same can be said for our pleasure workouts.

*Our workouts are mandatory for those members who have not received their certification in gymkhana as a safety precaution. Please see our handbook for further details.

NO HORSE REQUIRED

There are a number of other activities offered by 4-H that are not necessarily covered by the horse project itself but are available to exhibit at fair in the junior department. Please check the current fair premium book to get the latest information including all rules and breakdowns of categories, etc. at www.kenoshacofair.com. The following are what immediately stuck out to us but probably not limited to if you have a vision or an idea we’re sure there is somewhere it is applicable. So take this as a Cliff Notes version, but remember to read the actual book to get the fine details.

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Junior Department 10 – Division Letter A: Animal and Veterinary Science

Exhibitors are urged to display actual items. Entry may consist of poster or display with poster explanations as related to classes below:

 

Class #: First Year

  1. Keeping animals clean & healthy - basic sanitation

  2. Healthy animal, temperature, pulse, respiratory, attitude, behavior, etc.

  3. Anatomy - the animal body

  4. Poster showing how to give an intravenous shot

  5. Display of animals from around the world

  6. Poster on endangered species

  7. Animal care, grooming, equipment, etc.

  8. Any other exhibit not listed above

 

Class #: Second Year

  1. Diseases

  2. Parasites

  3. Nutrition

  4. Promotional materials for having a pet spayed/neutered

  5. Genetics - how traits are passed on

  6. Any other exhibit not listed above

 

Class #: Third Year and over

  1. Immunology

  2. Physiology, function of organs

  3. Zoonosis of public health

  4. Display giving pros and cons of animal rights movement

  5. Poster or display describing a current animal science issue (i.e. cloning, organ donations, scientific experimentation)

  6. Any other exhibit not listed above

 

Division Letter: B - Animal Science

  1. Chart or display of at least 5 nutrients, source and function

  2. Preserved chick embryos, at least 3 showing development

  3. Chart or display showing cuts of meat and where they come from

  4. Chart, display or poster related to the horse project

  5. Any other exhibit not listed above

 
Division Letter: C - Horse Models

  1. Model showing proper horse health

  2. Model showing body parts

  3. Model showing proper tack or equipment

  4. Any other model

 
Division Letter: F - Horseless Horse

A. 1st year member or non-buddy Horseless Horse Member to be entered, displayed and judged in Department 10.

  1. Poster depicting history of a breed

  2. Horse safety poster

  3. Scrapbook containing ten breeds with information about each

  4. Poster on diseases and parasites of horses

  5. Poster on careers in the horse world

  6. Drawing or making of horses

  7. Poster on good horse grooming

  8. Any other project related to horses

 
Division Letter: D - Communications and Creative Writing

Here is a briefing of the various items that fall underneath this division: a photo exhibit, scrapbook or collage pertaining to interviews and family activities; informative/promotional posters; handwritten books; poetry; handmade book; creative writing, etc.

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Division Letter: E - Scrapbooking

For the scrapbooking project, a kit is defined as one that has directions or suggestions on how to place pictures, ribbons, and other details.  Exhibiting opportunities are defined by grade: 3rd - 5th Grade and 6th - 8th Grade (or 1st year in Scrapbooking Project); 9th Grade and up (albums or projects at this level made from a kit or part of kits are NOT accepted)

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Junior Department 20 - Photography / Computers

Each exhibitor is limited to 10 entries – 1 per class. All photographs must be the result of the exhibitor’s project for the current Fair year. Exhibitors must be enrolled in the correct division. Photographs will be judged on the basis of technical quality, composition and story-telling ability. Photographs may be color or black and white. Member must be able to provide technical information about type of camera, lighting (natural or flash), exposure details and any cropping or editing used. A photo may only be used once.  Division breakdown is Beginner (1 – 3 Years in Project), Intermediate (4 – 6 Years in Project), and Advanced (Over 6 Years in Project).

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Some additional information about categories or ways to exhibit: Photography related poster, display, or item using exhibitor’s photos, photo story, computer enhance photos, videography, panoramic pieced displayed, “My Best Photo,” HDR print, etc.

 
Division Letter: D – Computers

May not seem like horses relate to this area but they surely do. Here are some ways you can adapt horses to fit the computer area with a little commentary: flyer creation, computer generated t-shirt design, child’s story book or newspaper, database creation e.g. stable records, horse show entries, horse show results, etc.; newsletter, trifold brochure; original pieces of art; design e.g. horse barn, arena, etc.; business stationary; artwork on computer to print; website design, etc.

 
Junior Department 22 - Woodworking

Absolutely do horses fit into this category there are so many things that can be built or crafted.

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They divide this department into a couple different age divisions: Measuring Up open to 3rd graders with 1 year of woodworking training; Making the Cut open to 4th graders with 2 years or less of woodworking, Nailing it Together open to 5th grade and above with 3 years or less of woodworking, Finishing Up open to 6th grade and above with 4 years or less of woodworking, Showing it Off open to 7th grade and above.

There are a number of articles that can be made such as use in farm or home workshop, storage, kitchen or living room, home, toy or homemade game, creative design, industrial arts, etc.

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Junior Department 24 – Mechanics

Division Letter: H - Legos

  1. Lego display (i.e. landscape, village, scene, etc.)

  2. Free standing Lego creation built without instructions (not a kit)

  3. Lego display from a kit (exhibit must be marked as such)

  4. Any other building material (not Legos) such as K’Nex, Magnetix, Erector, Lincoln Logs, etc.

 
Junior Department 25 – Foods and Nutrition

Cake Decorating

They break it down by beginners (first year in project) and advanced (two years and more in project). This department defines the types as a character cake, special occasion, multi-layer, cut out cake, holiday decorated, decorated cupcakes and cookies, professional sports team themed, gingerbread house, multiple cupcake design, etc.

 
Junior Department 26 – Clothing and Sewing

Broken down by years in sewing 1-2, 3-4, 5 and over. There is a division dedicated to equestrians called Equestrian Attire which consists of: grooming apron, hunt coat, western shirt, jodhpurs, breeches, saddle seat suit, chaps, horse blanket, horse attire, vest, etc. There is also opportunity for quilt making too. Lots of different areas within this department to apply horses.

 
Junior Department 27 - Knitting and Crocheting

This too is broken down by years within the project and appears to list items based on easy to difficult items to knit or crochet.

Phew! There’s a lot of things you can do without a horse!!

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