2025 Michigan 4-H State Horse Show sees stellar participation across four days of competition
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EmailAlmost 400 youth from around Michigan displayed their skills during the four day event.
The Michigan 4-H State Horse Show is always the highlight of the year for the Michigan 4-H horse and pony program. This year’s show continued that long standing tradition. Nearly 400 youth gathered at the Farm Bureau Pavilion at Michigan State University to demonstrate their knowledge and skills during the Michigan 4-H State Horse Show, hosted by Michigan State University Extension. With over 275 classes to choose from, delegates from all 83 counties had numerous opportunities to demonstrate their skills and talents.
While this year is not the first for ranch classes at the 4-H State Horse Show, it is the first year an entire day was dedicated to our ranch exhibitors. Showmanship, ranch pleasure, ranch riding, reining and ranch trail were options to show in this year. These ranch classes were developed based on information from the American Ranch Horse Association to provide new opportunities in 4-H for youth who show this discipline. Nearly 70 youth participated in the new Ranch Day at the 2025 Michigan 4-H State Horse Show, a great start for the first year with room for continued growth in ranch classes.
Over all four days, exhibitors competed for the chance to participate in championship classes. Once they earned their spot in the championship class, exhibitors then began to compete for Top Five and champion honors. Competition this year was steep; one judge said they saw higher quality horses and competitors at the 4-H State Horse Show this year than some breed shows they had attended.
Even with the fierce competition, sportsmanship was displayed in all classes and across all age divisions. Being able to see exhibitors going head-to-head in a championship class and cheering each other on is something that set the tone for a great show. The 2025 Michigan 4-H State Horse Show was one for the record books; results from the show are now available online.
Interested in participating in the 2026 Michigan 4-H State Horse Show? Watch for information to be posted on the Michigan 4-H Horses and Ponies registration information page. To learn more about 4-H and the horse and pony project, contact your local county MSU Extension office.
