2025 NC State 4-H Hippology & Horsebowl Contests

The 2025 NC State 4-H Hippology Contest will be held March 8 at NCSU. The Rookie division is for youth that have never competed in Hippology and is a great way to introduce new members to this event! Cloverbuds will also have a chance to participate in Hippology! This event will be held from 8:00AM-10:00 AM (before the start of Horsebowl at 10:00 AM).The entry deadline is February 28!

The 2025 NC State 4-H Horsebowl Contest will also be held on March 8 at NCSU.  Horsebowl will begin at 1:00 PM (after the conclusion of the Hippology Contest). Junior, Senior, and Mixed Division teams that qualified through their District competitions will be eligible to compete.

Cloverbud Horsebowl

There will be a Cloverbud Horsebowl event held from 10-11AM. This event is open to 4-H'ers ages 5-7. Participants must be pre-registered (no entry fee) and will be assigned a time to play two rounds of questions. To register, use the link on the Horsebowl Contest page on the website.

Daily Hippology Prep Quizzes on Instagram!

2025 Eligibility Card Instructions & NC 4-H Horse Program Rules and Regulations Manual

The NC 4-H Horse Program Rules and Regulations Manual has been updated and reflects all the new rules and updates for the 2025 season. If you plan to show or enter any educational contests, please be sure to review all the rules for your particular division or contest. Rule changes and additions are highlighted yellow for your convenience.

The eligibility card procedure will be the same as in 2019-2024. Please consult your local N.C. Cooperative Extension agent to be sure that you are meeting all the requirements to receive your card. Read below for a summary of the steps that need to be followed.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no specific deadline for the completion of the request form. However, youth need to be sure to have all paperwork (including eligibility cards) completed in time to meet entry deadlines for their selected qualifying show. As soon as qualifying show packets are shared with EHH, we will post them on the website at this location: https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/qualifying-horse-show-information/

2025 NC 4-H Horse Program Eligibility Card Standard Operating Procedures

2025 NC 4-H Horse Program Eligibility Card Request Form

2025 Educational Contest & State 4-H Horse Show Sponsorships

Get ready for another exciting year with the NC 4-H Horse Program! We’re gearing up for a jam-packed calendar of events designed to empower young equestrians across North Carolina. But to keep these valuable programs thriving and accessible, we need your support!

Invest in the Future of Horsemanship: Sponsor Our Educational Events
Our program offers six enriching educational events for cloverbuds, juniors, and seniors, fostering their passion for horses and developing essential life skills. Your generous sponsorship helps us provide awards for talented participants, fund national team travel, and cover the costs of hosting these impactful events. With various sponsorship levels available, you can find the perfect fit for your contribution.

Ready to make a difference? Learn more and download the sponsorship form here:
NC State Educational Contest Sponsorships 2025 (typable PDF)

Be a Star at the NC 4-H State Horse Show: Sponsor Our Showcase Event
Mark your calendars! The NC 4-H State Horse Show returns to the James B. Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh from July 9-13, 2025. This year, we’re thrilled to continue our popular exhibitor sponsorship incentive! 4-H’ers who secure sponsorships and submit them with their State Show Entry form will receive a fantastic 20% discount on their total show bill. Imagine the impact you can make!

Discover the diverse sponsorship opportunities available, from Division and Reserve Champion to Major Show Sponsors. Elevate your support and choose between an advertisement in the show program or indoor vendor space. Find all the details here:
NC State 4-H Horse Show Sponsorships 2025 (typable PDF)

2025 Youth Training Clinic

On January 18th, 2025 over 200 4-H'ers, leaders, and parents attended the NCSU Youth Training Clinic. Participants attended sessions on Horse judging, Hippology, and Horsebowl. Several sessions were led by current and former 4-H horse program members. The purpose of this clinic is to prepare and get kids excited about participating in our spring educational contests. The State 4-H Horsebowl and Hippology Contests are March 8 at NCSU. On April 26, the NC State 4-H Horse Judging Contest will be held at Martin Community College. These contests develop leadership, character, work ethic, and many other important and valuable life skills.

A huge thanks goes out to all our instructors that led sessions throughout the day: Dai Akers, Makenah Allred, Katy Bissinger, EmmaRose Church, Allee Coble, Emmy Creek, Samantha Durham, Caitlin Gantt, Olivia Juergens, Savannah Lindsey, Beth Morgan, Stevie Sharum, Samantha Taylor, Charli Williams, Graham Zeiders.

This event was sponsored by the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Visit their site to learn more about this wonderful, non-profit organization.

2025 Achievement Award Applications due March 1

The NC 4-H Horse Program Achievement Awards recognize the accomplishments of 4-H'ers, with a specific focus on horse program achievements that is cumulative beginning with the applicant’s first year in the horse program. Award levels are on a points-based system that groups like activities completed based on the level of involvement and ranks them. (See the application form for specifics on activities/points/levels). 

There are 4 levels of accomplishment that youth can apply to earn annually. Youth can potentially earn more than level (especially the first year they apply). 

• Bronze: 150 points, bronze patch 

• Silver: 300 points, silver patch 

• Gold: 450 points, gold patch 

• Emerald: 700 points, embroidered jacket

For additional details, the application, and a video on how to complete the application, visit this page on the website: https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/forms-popular-links/nc-4-h-horse-program-achievement-awards/

2025 NC 4-H Horse Judging Contest- April 26

Horse Judging Resource Available

NC State 4-H Horse Judging Contest Practice DVD

If you are looking for a resource to help prepare a horse judging team, the NC 4-H Horse Program has produced a practice horse judging contest DVD that features 10 classes from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 NC State 4-H Horse Judging Contests. In addition to the classes and official placings and cuts, there are sample sets of oral reasons for the classes presented by former NC State 4-H Horse Judging team members.  For scored classes, there are also pictures of completed scorecards.

DVDs are $50.00 each (cash or check or money order made payable to NCSU) and will be available for purchase/pick up at the State Horsebowl and Hippology contests on March 8.  If you will not be in attendance, you can designate another individual to pick it up for you. In order to reserve your copy for pick up, please complete this form.

 NCSU Livestock Summer Camp June 15-20, 2025

The NC State Livestock Science Camp is designed for high school students aged 15-18. During the camp, youth will engage with NC State students, faculty, and staff to explore animal science and learn more about the livestock and agricultural industries and related careers. No previous livestock species experience is necessary.

Visit this website for more information and the application: https://cals.ncsu.edu/animal-science/extension/livestock-science-camp/

Recreational Riding Rewards Program Applications are due March 1

The Recreational Riding Rewards Program is an annual submission of recreational riding hours logged with an equine partner to earn awards and recognition at the state level. Hours logged follow the rider and may be completed on different horses, either riding or driving. Hours logged must be done on trails, endurance riders, or other organized group rides outside of an arena (fox hunts, beach rides, hunter paces, competitive trail rides, etc.). Arena riding, lesson hours, and horse show hours are not eligible for these awards. Hours logged are cumulative from year to year and will be added over time to achieve the levels of recognition.

When do you apply?

• Log forms are due March 1, 2025 (for hours that took place from Jan 1, 2024-Dec 31, 2024).
• Awards will be presented at the State 4-H Horse Show in July 2025. If a youth is not present, their award will be mailed to them.
• Recreational Riding Rewards Program Hourly Log Sheet for Hours Ridden in 2024
  

Applications for 2024 hours/rewards are due March 1, 2025

**Please note there will be modifications made to how hours are recorded and reported for the 2025 year (for applications submitted in 2026), so be on the lookout for those changes in January 2025.
EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO: llstroud@ncsu.edu

2025 NC 4-H Horse Program Calendar of Events

The 2025 NC 4-H Horse Program Calendar of Events is available for viewing/download.  The link provided on the webpage is a dynamic link to a Google Sheet that updates in real time. Be sure to periodically check for updates or changes!