Horse & Pony

Welcome to our Barry County 4-H Horse & Pony page. Our 4-H Horse program is managed by our 4-H Horse Developmental Committee which is comprised of 4-H adult and teen volunteers. Under the guidance of 4-H staff, our volunteers create project guidelines, rules and manage our 4-H Horse events.

Events include sponsoring shows for our 4-H members. These are considered 4-H Point Shows as members earn points towards State 4-H Horse Show participation and year end high point awards. Individual clubs and our 4-H Horse Developmental Committee also sponsor horse shows that the public can attend. These events help 4-H members not only build their horsemanship, public speaking and animal science skills they also learn event management and record keeping as they assist in running the shows

No you don’t have to have a horse to be in a 4-H horse club! You can join a 4-H horse club just to learn about horses.

Pre-registration Forms 

Youth Club Pre-registration Form Ages 5-18 Due March 1

Fair Horse Pre-registration Form Ages 9-18  Due April 30

Fair Horse Pre-registration Form Ages 5-8 Due April 30

Guidelines and Information

Below you will find information on policies and requirements for our 4-H horse project.

2025 Horse Packet - This includes important show bills, class sheets and rules for all ages. 

 

Update coming soon! Community Service – our 4-H members can earn extra points towards the State 4-H Horse Show qualification by completing a community service project. Here is the link to the 4-H Horse Member Community Service Form .

Workbooks, Notebooks and Educational Projects

Part of the requirements for our Barry County 4-H Horse and Pony project are notebooks, workbooks and educational displays. 4-H members are required to complete a section of the notebook guidelines or complete an educational project each year. The horse/pony record book/workbook is required to be completed by every member each year in addition to their notebook or educational project. This is where 4-H members can show off their knowledge of the horse project! Link to Young Clover workbooks (ages 5 – 8) can be found below. Updated guidelines, workbook, and score sheet can be found in the 2025 Horse Packet.

Barry County Horse Shows and Events  

Events are sponsored by 4-H Clubs and the Barry County 4-H Horse Developmental Committee.

Barry County 4-H Point Shows

  • 4-H Point Shows are for Barry County 4-H members only. Dates are tentative at this point. Follow 

Fair

  • Visit Barry Expo Center to learn more
  • All youth entries must be pre-entered and due by JUNE 7 at the Barry Expo Office.

Upcoming State Events

  • State 4-H Horse Show
    Farm Bureau Pavilion at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 

Stay updated on dates for MSU Extension 4-H Horses and Ponies here

Project Snap Shot
Resources