1. All exhibits must be entered in the name of the exhibitor. Violation of this rule will forfeit all awards won by these exhibits.

 

2. All Horse/Pony projects must be shown by the exhibitor.

 

3. An exhibitor may not receive more than one award in any one class.

 

4. All classes must be listed on an Exhibitor Sheet entry form, and must be turned in to MCFA Horse Committee at the June meeting. NO FAXES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

 

5. Exhibitors will assume all risks for their exhibits. Every precaution will be taken to ensure safety and protection, but no responsibility for loss, accidents, or damage will be assumed by any employee, officers, group, or organization.

 

6. All classes must be listed on an Exhibitor Sheet entry form, and must be turned in to MCFA Horse Committee at the June meeting. NO FAXES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

 

7. A registration fee of $50.00 per member (Explorers will be $15) must be turned in to the Leader by June 1st. (Full hours worked by horse project fair participants in excess of Fair Project Book Requirements will be credited $10 per hour towards registration fee. A club leader is to turn registration fees into MCFA Horse Committee treasurer no later than the June meeting. (One check per club please).

 

8. No exhibits other than those provided for in the Exhibitor Sheet list will be accepted. DEADLINES: Due June at the Horse Committee Meeting: Horse/Pony project must be registered by the June Horse Committee Meeting. Also, due-Lease agreement with registration if applicable. Exhibitor Entry Form, Coggins Test, Stall Fees, Consent Form and Code of Conduct. Project Notebooks also due @ June Meeting (including required work hours). All travelling trophies must be returned no later than the June Horse Committee meeting (2nd Wednesday of the month). An extension may be granted if a written request is made prior to the June meeting. If trophies have not been returned, fair forms will not be accepted.

 

9. The purpose of this Fair is to recognize and reward quality. For this reason, the judges are instructed to award, regardless of competition.

 

10. Ribbons and rosettes will be awarded for all classifications and places. They are listed for each class unless otherwise specified. Championship classes MUST have competition. If there is no competition, judges may use their discretion in awarding trophies.

 

11. RIBBONS WILL NOT BE REPLACED. Once a ribbon is awarded, it becomes the responsibility of the recipient.

 

12. Youth are their own best exhibit. Youth must conduct themselves properly at all times or may forfeit all premiums (when awarded), rights, and privileges.

 

13. NO DOGS ALLOWED IN THE BARNS.

 

14. Coggins test is required. Due at June meeting.

 

15. Horses must be checked in by barn superintendent or delegate. Horses must be stabled on entry day by required time. Any exceptions must be pre-approved by MCFA Horse Executive Committee and Fair Board. Horses may not leave the fairgrounds before time of dismissal (Saturday). In case a veterinarian is required, approval must be obtained by the MCFA Horse Executive Committee and the owner is responsible for any and all expenses.

 

16. NO Horse/Pony exhibit shall be excused from the fairgrounds before time of dismissal for any reason other than sickness or injury, unless authorization is obtained. To obtain this permission, you must bring your request before the Horse Committee Superintendents. They, in turn will present your request to the Fair Board, and a decision will be made and brought back to you. Unauthorized departure will result in loss of awards. Other penalties may be imposed. Any trophy/awards will be returned within 30 days upon forfeiture of the award, the award will not be passed down and no name will be engraved for that year.

 

17. There will be no class changes after pre-registry, except changing from riding classes to In-Hand and Halter classes, or except in case of change of horse affecting class changes. To drop a class; fill out and turn in "class drop slip" available at the announcers stand. Change may be made from Canter to walk/trot for the safety reason and walk/trot to canter classes with exhibitor skills improvement as deemed in writing (re-submit Consent Form) by their leader. This must be done before exhibitor’s showmanship class.

 

18. All clubs are to keep assigned areas clean during the Fair and to have the area inspected by the Barn Superintendent before leaving the grounds. This includes removing and disposing of all Fair decorations, trash, and manure to designated disposal areas. Failure to do so will result in loss of awards.

 

19. It is imperative that dates, deadlines, and rules be observed. The rules have been made with the safety of everyone concerned in mind.

 

20. Barn policies shall be posted by Overall & Barn Superintendent and must be followed by each club for safety of all present.

 

21. Exhibitors and their horse/pony are the responsibility of the parents or guardian. Club leaders should see that this policy is enforced.

 

22. All exhibitors must show respect to all Club leaders and members at all times. Fair superintendent's instructions and requests should be followed carefully and promptly to insure a smooth and safe running fair.

 

23. Exercising schedules will be announced at the meeting for horse project members the night of the fair. These schedules must be followed by all exhibitors. Failure to observe these rules will result in loss of their exercise privileges.

 

24. Back numbers will be assigned to each member by the point keepers. It will be the point keeper’s responsibility to assign numbers to each club member after pre-entry

 

25. All participants will attend the Fair Horse Project meeting to be held in front of horse barns.

 

26. No abusive conduct toward your animal will be tolerated. Premiums (when premiums are awarded) and other awards given may be pulled. The exhibitor and their animal may be asked to leave the fairgrounds. Further action (including probation or restriction from the fairgrounds will be determined by the MCFA Horse Committee after a full hearing from all interested parties and relevant witnesses).

 

27. For Fair or Point Show classes - No verbal coaching of exhibitors in the arena and no one allowed within five feet of the rail.

 

28. Emergency blacksmithing to take place in designated areas only. If the exhibitor has need of emergency blacksmithing, a fair horse superintendent must be notified and they will designate an area for the emergency care.

 

29. There will be no washing of horses after 10:00 p.m.

 

30. All grooming, tacking and equipping of horses/ponies are to take place in stalls or designated areas. Aisle ways are to be kept clear.

 

31. Horses are to be ridden in arenas or make-up area ONLY. You may walk – mounted from make-up arena to warm-up or show arena. No trotting or cantering is allowed outside of the show or warm-up arenas. No riding is allowed inside barns at any time.

 

32. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: The decisions of judges are final in all classes. a. In the event of a disagreement by an exhibitor regarding enforcement, the exhibitor should notify the appropriate superintendent that he or she wished to file a formal grievance. b. The superintendent will then call upon the other superintendents to hear the grievance from the exhibitor. The superintendents will then vote on the grievance. The decision of the majority of the five will be final. c. A Grievance Fee of $50.00 will be due at the time of the filed grievance.

 

33. CONDUCT POLICY: It is suggested by staff persons, leaders, and members that a self-governing body of participants be formed for each state sponsored event. Such a governing body would concern itself with the development and implementation of ground rules for conduct of participants. Whether or not there is a governing body, participants will adhere to the following general conduct policy: ANYONE PARTICIPATING in state sponsored activity who is caught in the act of theft or vandalism, or caught with illegal drugs or alcohol, or who is involved in other such offenses, shall immediately be sent home at his/her own expense and if it is determined by leaders or persons in charge of the activity that the offense warrants it, the offender may be turned over to the proper authorities.

 

34. Animal care at the fair. Grooming of horse/project during Fair week is the responsibility of the exhibitor. Any excessive or inappropriate involvement of family members and/or friends may result in disqualification of the exhibitor. Other chores such as normal exercising, care of tack, feeding, watering, and stable cleaning may be done by a fellow club member. (Parents/leaders may assist members with difficult jobs.)

 

35. A project animal is defined as one that is owned by the member, immediate family member or leased by the member in the year it is designated as the project animal.

 

36. All project horses/ponies must be under the member's immediate care which will consist of: a. Sound feeding program b. Doing all grooming c. Having full care of tack d. Doing at least 50% of the stall work. e. Boarded horses eligible at the discretion of the leader.

 

37. Registration forms (and lease agreement, where applicable) for designated project animal to be shown at the current County Fair must be submitted to the leader and placed on file at the MCFA Horse Committee no later than June MCFA Committee meeting of the current year. Registration forms (and lease agreement, where applicable) are to be updated each year.  

 

38. A change of the designated project animal during the period of June 1 to the Fair date of the current year is permissible and will follow these guidelines: a. A change of horse in the event of illness or unsoundness in the horse. b. A change of horse for safety reasons. c. A change of horse because of broken lease agreement. d. Hardship cases for exhibitors. All must come before the MCFA Horse Committee as a hardship case and will be eligible for regular class awards at fair. Any Hardship Project horse is not eligible for incentive awards at the fair. Members that present Hardship cases will not be eligible for 4H State competition with either project animal. The request for change may come at a regular Horse Committee meeting or at a special meeting which is called for the purpose of considering the hardship case. The request will be permitted by yes majority vote of the voting members present. e. During the weeks between the July meeting and Opening ceremonies a special meeting may be called for the purpose of considering the hardship case by the Fair MCFA Horse Superintendents. The request will be permitted by yes majority vote of the voting members present.

 

39. An exhibitor may show only one project animal or one mare with foal in this division. If there are two or more members in a club with access to only one horse, this is permissible. In case two or more members of a club are using the same project animal, each may exhibit in different classes. However, both exhibitors MUST show in showmanship.

 

40. Mare with foal: You must designate on the horse registration form which animal is to be considered for showmanship score. Do this by writing "primary animal" and "secondary animal" on the registration forms. ("primary animal": being the one considered for the score). Primary and secondary animals may both be in the ring in the Fitting and Showmanship section, and should be fitted. (Secondary animal to be handled by a club member). Judge will look at both animals for fitting score, but only at the exhibitor showing primary animal for the showmanship score. These scores will be combined for the Fitting and Showmanship grade. The secondary animal may also be shown in Halter class.

 

41. Ponies must not exceed 56 inches in height. All ponies will be measured by an official at the Point Show (when offered). Those attending Fair only will be measured before Showmanship class at fair. (In case of conflict - Barn, Show, and Overall Superintendents have the final decision.)

 

42. Stallions are eligible only if under 12 months of age.

 

43. Showmanship is a required class.

 

44. Classes with more than 20 entries will be divided into and judged as two equal size classes. The judge will pick the top riders from each class, which will ride in a third class from which placing will be chosen.

 

45. All English Seat Classes, Gymkhana Classes, Bareback Classes, and all Jumping Classes will require ASTM/SEI approved helmet. All classes at the Fair, including Costume, will require member to wear English or Western boots.

 

46. When riding on the fairgrounds, the rider is required to wear English or Western boots and long pants, no shorts.

 

47. There will be no bareback riding allowed except on the day of bareback class.

 

48. Rules with regard to non-exhibiting members riding a Horse Project will apply after the project animal is checked in until the last class of the day on Friday. During special events such as a broom ball, grandstand events and mounted unit, non-exhibiting members and/or parents will be allowed to ride the animal for the event only. This event must be approved by the MCFA and the four horse superintendents.

 

49. In Versatility Class music and costume are not judged. However, inappropriate music and costume can be cause for disqualification. Overall horse superintendent will make the final decision. No bikini tops or midriffs showing.

 

50. Cloverbuds may either haul in on Wednesday or stall the whole week of fair.

 

51. English/Western Riding – Open to horse or pony. English or Western attire. (All English Riders are required an ASTM/SEI approved helmet.) Simple lead changes are acceptable. Flying lead changes are not required but are preferred. However, flying lead changes are required at the State Level.

 

52. No hay or bedding/sawdust may be put outside of the barn or in the middle aisle where there is grass or wood chips. Bulk shavings may be kept on a small trailer and covered. The trailer may be parked next to barn 2/3. Same applies to round bales of hay. Another option would be to put it in a tack stall and clean up the stall after fair.

 

53. To participate in the walk trot division (either with the primary or secondary horse) one of the following must be met. Exhibitor is not capable of showing at the lope/canter on any horse or Horse under saddle is not capable of showing at the lope/canter with any show.

 

54. Walk Only and Walk Trot participants may ride with 2 hands and can use an approved snaffle bit rather than a shank bit, regardless of the horse’s age.

 

55. In addition to these rules all, exhibitors must comply with the rules and regulations as printed in the current year of the Muskegon County 4-H Horse Rules and Regulations. The rule book can be found under the Fair section of the fairground’s website.

 

17 REVOLVING TROPHIES:

Honorary Col. Ellis Balcom Barn Trophy                                           El Hanan Memorial Trophy

Stormy Trophy                                                                                         Erdman Reining Trophy

Matt Loeper Halter Trophy                                                                  Mary Schmiege Memorial Trophy

Angel & DJ Memorial Trophy                                                              Racing the Moon Memorial Trophy

Bowen Heating & Cooling Trophy                                                     Ultimate Cool Jumping Trophy

Maxine Spinks Memorial Trophy                                                       Ginger Brege Dressage Traveling Trophy

Honorary Julie Hegedus Trophy                                                        Sebastians Pony Gymkhana Trophy

Penny’s Winner Gymkhana Trophy                                                  DL Carab Costume Trophy

Lipka High Point Traveling Trophy                                                    Shirley Thompson Walk Trot High Point Trophy

The Dynamic Bareback Trophy                                                          A Hustler Showmanship Trophy

Honorary Alicia Hard Trophy                                               

 

Pony High Point Overall Traveling Plaque

 

Horse Division Superintendents

Overall Superintendent: Christy Deal                                              Show Superintendent: Melissa Morgan

Barn Superintendents: Emily Behm                                                Show Secretary/Points: Cindy Rhine

Operations Superintendents: Clarke Morrow                                Treasurer: Jeff Sevener

 

CLOVERBUD/MENTOR HORSE PROJECT:

This class is open to 5-7 year old children as an educational experience. Age is as of January 1st of the current Fair year. They will participate in a non-competitive showmanship event. Cloverbuds may exhibit on one horse under the guidance of a parent/adult or teen mentor age 13-19. Horses may be borrowed from a teen mentor or may be brought in the day of show. All health requirements as stated in the horse project guideline must be adhered to. Ribbons will be awarded. No premiums will be paid. The Cloverbud must register by the June MCFA Horse committee meeting. Exhibitor entry forms are due to your leader by June 1 st . Helmets are required to be worn by Cloverbuds while exhibiting their project/horse. See additional rules in the Muskegon County Horse Rules and Regulations. All Cloverbuds will receive participation ribbons.