Who puts on the Mat-Su District, Camp and Invitational 4-H Horse
Shows?
4-H Horse Shows in the Mat-Su District are organized by volunteer
leaders and parents of the Mat-Su 4-H Horse Council. Which is under the
direction of the Alaska Cooperative Extension agent (Gary Stewart) in
Palmer.  The State 4-H Horse Show is organized by volunteers from
each district in Alaska.  The Council will probably call on you to help
open gates, announce classes, help with the grounds , etc. at some time
during the year.  This is the only way these shows can happen.  It's a lot
of fun and you don't have to know anything about horses!
Does it matter what kind of horse my child has?
Safety is the only issue we are concerned with .  If  you feel your child
can safely ride his/her horse in a group situation it is an appropriate
horse.  However, the horse needs to be signed up as the child's project
horse and should be healthy enough to endure  3 or 4 days of hard
work.   If a horse is considered unsafe or unhealthy enough to continue
in the show it may be pulled for safety of both horse and rider.
Does a child need expensive clothing and tack?
No.  The 4-H judges do not judge the tack or the clothing only the
rider/horses performance.  Clothing and tack merely need to fall within
the guidelines of the Alaska
4-H Horse Show Rulebook.
How is a 4-h horse show judged?
They are judged using the Danish System .  Each child is judged
individually against a set standard not against another child.  There are
4 colors of ribbons given.  The Ak. State 4-H rule book has the
requirements for each class listed.  If the child is unable to accomplish
the skills for that specific class he/she will probably receive a white
ribbon.  Most 4-Hers receive  many white ribbons when learning a new
skill.  If a child demonstrates that they understand how to do the
requirements for a class, but can't quite do them all right they will
probably receive a red ribbon.  If a child demonstrates that they
understand and can accomplish all the skills required for a class they
will probably receive a blue ribbon.  When a child makes an outstanding
demonstration with their project they will probably receive a purple
"performance of excellence" ribbon. Everyone in a class could get the
same color ribbon. When a child has gotten 3 blue or purple ribbons in a
class it is a good indication that it is time to move to a more advanced
class.
Who is responsible for the children and the horses during a show?
During a horse show the parents are responsible for supervising their
own children, horse and tack.  If a parent cannot be at the show they
may ask another adult to supervise (usually the child's leader) but no one
is under obligation to do so.  After classes have ended for the day it is a
good idea to have someone keep an eye on your horse for the night if you
are not planning on camping overnight.  There is a big need for adults
who can stay on the grounds at night.   So even if you can't be around
during the day we urge you to consider camping with the diehards who
are there day and night.