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The Extension office provides assistance and programs for the community without discrimination in five main areas: 4-H Youth Programs, Agriculture, Community Health, Horticulture, and Small Acreage Management.

4-H HORSE PROJECT   arrow

MEET OUR TEAM!

We are ready to help and support you in your 4-H horse journey.

Kim Madsen (Volunteer)
Boulder County Fair Horse Project Superintendent


Kelly Thomas (Volunteer)
Horse Leaders Council President
Brenda Kwang
4-H Youth Development Livestock & Animals County Specialist

WHAT YOU’LL FIND ON THIS PAGE:


QUICK LINKS


UPCOMING EVENTS/TRAINING/WORKSHOPS/SHOWS


CURRICULUM/RECORD BOOKS/E-RECORDS

RECORD BOOKS/E-RECORDS:
4-H Record Books are also called e-Records. Each project has its own record book that members are required to complete each year. Record books have a few times to be checked on progress throughout the year:
1. June- your 4-H leader will be sure your books are started and up to date.
2. Prior to showing at the Boulder County Fair, your record books will be checked by your club leader to be sure they are up to date and complete as can be in order to participate and show at the fair.
3. Final livestock record books are due to be received at the Extension office by the second Thursday in September. (Please note: your 4-H leader may need an earlier deadline for review and signatures.)

BOULDER COUNTY FAIR


CLUB SHOWS/CONTEST

HLC Season Opener 2024
Patterns:
Barrel Racing
EnglishControl-Level1-PatternA
EnglishControl-Level2-PatternD
EnglishControl-Level3-4-Pattern2
Flag Race
Keyhole
Poles
Reining-Level1-PatternC
Reining-Level2-PatternD
Reining-Level3-PatternJ
HSP patterns


Coming soon

Open Schooling Show and Youth Gymkhana
June Show (Info. Coming Soon)

HORSE JUDGING TEAM

Coming soon

HORSE BOWL

Boulder County Horse Bowl Contest

HORSE HIPPOLOGY

Coming Soon

USEFUL HORSE INFORMATION

HORSE ID

Deadline: Last Thursday in April

In order to declare your project animal(s), Horse project members must complete an Animal ID on 4HOnline for each horse in their project.

Members showing at the Boulder County Fair or Colorado State Fair are only eligible to show the horses they have their Animal ID completely (including required pictures/records) on 4HOnline by the deadline.

HORSE SHOW 101

4-H HORSE ADVANCEMENT LEVEL PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Colorado 4-H Horse Levels Testing

Horse Project Member – Advancement Levels List

Levels Rater List (edited frequently)

Background of the Program:

The Advancement Levels program is a logical step-by-step guide to teach youth horsemanship and horse care. The Advancement Level chapter in the 4-H Horse Member’s Manual serves as a leader’s and member’s guide. This chapter explains the basics of the Levels program.

Safety and proper basics are stressed throughout the Levels program. The skills learned in the beginning levels are reflected in properly mastering the more advanced levels. A solid and consistent foundation is extremely important.

It should be recognized that not every youth will want to master all levels. However, it should be realized that the first two levels teach the basics of horse safety, care, and riding for general pleasure and performance. It is therefore encouraged that all members participate in at least Levels I and II. Level III is for the serious horse person and Level IV is for the youth that is interested in a career in the equine industry or is very serious about his/her riding and training.

Written Tests:

Please study before requesting a written test.  The Study Guides posted online will help you prepare for the test. Written tests are taken at the Boulder County Extension office (4-H office), please use this link to select a day/time to take your written test. Contact Jeannie Torres for questions. You may take the test multiple times to achieve a score of 80% or higher. You cannot take the test twice in one day. 

Purpose:

The Advancement Level program is a teaching guide that combines many aspects of horsemanship and horse care. The 4-H levels program is designed to apply to Western, Working Ranch Horse, and all disciplines within the English division (Hunter Seat, Saddle Seat, and Dressage Seat).

All youth begin at level one and must master level one, either Western and/or English, before moving on to level two. English and Western are kept in two separate paths. Master Western I and II and you can move on to Western III (then Western IV) and/or Ranch Horse II (then Ranch III, then Ranch IV). Master English I and II and you can move on to Hunter Seat III (then Hunter Seat IV), and/or Saddle Seat III (then Saddle Seat IV), and/or Dressage Seat III (then Dressage Seat IV).

Find a list of approved raters, study guides for the written test, and copies of the riding tests at Colorado 4-H Horse Levels. It is recommended to review the Written Test Study Guide and Riding Test Outline prior to testing.

Interested in Being a Levels Rater?

To become a levels rater, individuals must complete the rater training and re-certify every three years to continue rating. Training includes a general introduction to the program followed by discipline-specific sessions. Raters may become certified at any level or any discipline with which they have a base knowledge and may perform ratings for only those levels/disciplines with which they are certified.

4-H HORSE COMPETITIVE TEAMS

You do not need to be enrolled in a horse project to participate. All 4-H ages are welcome, experience not required!

  • Boulder County Hippology – Coach: Donna Pattee ~ 303-482-7581
  • Boulder County Horse Bowl – Coach: Carmen Porter ~ 303-885-5702
  • Boulder County Horse Judging – Coach: Kendra McConnell ~ 303-956-2885

2022-23 HORSE PROGRAM RULES

BOULDER COUNTY HORSE LEADERS COUNCIL

The Boulder County 4-H Horse Leaders Council is made up of Horse Leaders and parents.  

We are dedicated to providing learning situations for the development of leadership, responsibility, and effective citizenship of our members.  

HLC will also provide educational and challenging experiences that will enable young people to become knowledgeable and skilled in their selected project areas and to provide information and training in other 4-H activities as members’ interests dictate.

HLC meetings are on the first Monday of every month at 6:30 pm via zoom (no meeting in December or August).  Email Kelly at kelly0515@aol.com for a meeting link 

PATTERNS FOR BOULDER COUNTY FAIR HORSE SHOW

Listed below are the patterns for each of your classes for the Boulder County Fair 4-H Horse Show. Please work with your 4-H Leader to determine what classes you are eligible to enter.

Horse Show Patterns

2023 Fair patterns will be posted in early July

GYMKHANA SETUP MEASUREMENTS

SCHOLARSHIPS

Boulder County 4-H and Horse programs offer many scholarships for members. Please review the specific requirements for individual scholarship applications.

Please check back soon!

HEALTH INFORMATION

Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) Information

Please see the following information from State Extension Veterinarian Dr. Ragan Adams regarding recent confirmed cases of Vesicular  Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in Colorado and nearby states.  VSV most often affects horses, cattle, and swine but can also affect mules/donkeys, bison, sheep, goats, and camelids. The link below also contains information about signs of VSV and biosecurity strategies that should be observed by our 4-H members, families, and volunteers with Horses and Livestock. Common Sense Practices