Are you new to the 4H Horse & Pony Program or are a little confused with everything going on, well this is the page for you! If you do not find the answers that you are looking for please email us at info@dc4hhp.com
In order to show at the Deleware County Fair, you must own or lease a horse. This is done outside of the 4H program. You may still participate in Horse and Pony club by completing a project, however many of our activities and focus is around working with your own horse.
Enroll in 4H (Step 1)
Do you want to sign your child up for 4H?
If your child is in Kindergarten- 2nd Grade, you’ll sign up as a Mini, they will not be allowed to ride without a leader on the ground with attached leadrope. This rule applies for all mounted riding at the delaware county fairgrounds, including fun shows and county fair classes.
If your child currently in 3rd grade or above, you may sign up for general 4H groupings. Plesae note that the grade your child is in on January 1st of a given year is the age they are for summer programming.
4H enrollment is done online, by clicinkg here Be sure to enroll for Delaware County. If you have trouble, you can contact a 4H Horse and Pony Club Leader, or Contact Annette Deluca, Perdue Extension Delaware County Secretary with issues signing up.
All clubs participate at the fair, you can select other interests you have when signing up such as photography, woodworking, cooking or sewing, just to name a few. There are many different clubs to explore.
As for Horse and Pony club, Showing at our annual Blue Denim show, held in June is optional but is a great way to get ready for the fair.
Project Information
On our website page called Detailed Project Overview which has many details about our program as it relates to Delaware County. You can also review the state Horse and Pony handbook for more detailed inforamtion, rules and requirements for the horse and pony project. Please take a moment to review the other pages of this website for dates, checklists and helpful information. Feel free to contact us if you have any specific questions.
Make sure you’re in the loop! (Step 2)
Review the calendar page for the most up to date inforamtion on unmounted meetings, mounted workshops and shows. Check out the Prgram page for an outline of this years planned activities. Join our mailing list and text alerts and like us on facebook!
Horse Identification (Step 3)
Horse Animal Identification must be done on the 4HOnline system by May 15th. This is the same data base you used when enrolling online for 4H.
Attend your Delaware County 4H Horse and Pony unmounted meetings (Step 4)
By attending our unmounted meetings you will receive instruction and information from your leader(s). The meetings are generally held on the 3rd monday of each month at 7:00 PM February – May.
This time you will spend with your new 4H friends will be great memories.
Vaccines (Step 5)
The state vaccine requirement for 4H Horse & Pony are Eastern & Western Encephalomyelitis, Rhinopneumonitis/EHV type 1 & 4, Influenza, Tetanus & Rabies. The form must be filled out with a receipt attached and be taken to all 4H events (educational events, practices, county & state fair). As for the due date of the vaccines they must be given before the horse can attend any 4H event. The form can be found on our resource page.
Class Registration (Step 7)
Class registration will now be done on the Fair Entry system. The deadline date will be posted on the Homepage. This is when you sign up for the classes you would like to show in at the fair. You will have received a fair class schedule at the April meeting, or you can click here for the Fair showbill. Very important – sign up for all classes you will be interested in showing in. Talk to your leader if you need help, it’s confusing, but your leader is there to help. Classes cannot be added after the deadline date. Classes can be scratched (if you decide you don’t want to show in a class) anytime.
Set up for fair (Step 8)
Take time to prepare your horse and trailer for fair. Check out our Fair check-list for items you may want to bring with you. Take time to practice at home and during our workshops with your horse.
Fair Time (Step 9)
Finally its fair time. Haul in procedures and gate open times will be announced before fair day(s). Watch the website and talk to your leader. After you get your horse settled, come see us in the club house for your rider packet each day. You’ll receive your class schedule and show number.
Have Fun (Step 10)
Enjoy yourself, the fair will be one of your favorite 4H memories. If you need help or feel confused ask your leader or come to the club house, we’re here to help!
We hope this helps you. While it all sounds confusing it’s really not once you get the hang of it. There is a great group of leaders to guide you through it.
This page is just a guide, it is important to watch the website, listen to your leader(s) and read both the Delaware County 4H project information and the State Horse & Pony Handbook.