4-H Horse Program

The emphasis of Virginia's 4-H Horse and Pony program is on equine selection, nutrition, management, riding, recreation, fun, and horsemanship. Horseback riding provides an outdoor sports fitness program for physical, personal, and emotional development, including confidence building. The sport can develop into a life-long hobby or business. Projects are available for youth owning or having access to horses, and also for youth not having access to horses (horseless horse projects).

District Qualifying Clinics
District Qualifying Shows
District Qualifying Horse Bowl & Communications Contests

EquiSmartz - State 4-H Educational Contest Weekend

The NEW Horse Ambassador Program officially begins September 25, 2017, with those inducted to serve a one year term. Ambassadors are available to serve and lead in a variety of outreach and public service capacities, connecting with the community, assisting with 4-H local and District level equine events, meeting with legislators, and representing our program at the state level. In addition, they serve in very important roles at our State 4-H Horse Shows and Educational events. Opportunities are almost limitless as they are encouraged to use this platform, along with their individual skills, passions and talents, to help grow our 4-H Horse Program and the Equine Community. During their term, they will experience leadership trainings, state-wide travel, public speaking opportunities and networking.

If you are interested in starting a new 4-H Horse Club, please first contact your local 4-H Extension agent. If you are an established 4-H Horse Club or have a need at your District 4-H horse events for leadership service and support, please contact the District or Lead Advisor, who wiill connect you with an Ambassador. For special non-4-H equine or agriculture-related events requesting 4-H Horse Program representation please contact the area District Advisor and/or the State Lead Advisor, Sandy Arnold for Ambassador support.

2017 Ambassadors (Sept. 25, 2017 - Sept. 25, 2018)

Central District
Ambassador - Taylor Prince, Appomattox Co.
Contact: Hannah Robbins, 4-H Extension agent, Dinwiddie
Northern District
    Hannah Beaver, Albemarle Co.
    Katie Define, Albemarle Co.
    Camryn Madagan, Frederick Co.
    Contact: Krystal Williams, 4-H Extension agent, Fairfax
Southeast District
    Martina Essert, Chesapeake Co.
    Kacy Goodson, Chesapeake Co.
    Abby Kambarn, Accomack Co.
    Contact: Krista Gustafson, 4-H Extension agent, Gloucester
Southwest District
Laurel Pollock, Craig Co.
Contact: Sam Leech, 4-H Extension agent, Tazewell
At Large
    Maryann Johnson, Southampton Co.
    Caitlyn Russ, Albemarle Co.
    Abbey Rinker, Shenandoah Co.
    Morgan Strickler, Frederick Co.
    Contact: Sandy Arnold, Lead Advisor
Ambassador Advisors
    State Lead - Sandy Arnold, Middleburg Office
    State Support - Leona Ransdell and Celeste Crisman, Blacksburg Office
    Central District - Hannah Robbins, 4-H Extension agent, Dinwiddie
    Northern District - Krystal Williams, 4-H Extension agent, Fairfax
    Southeast District - Krista Gustafson, 4-H Extension agent, Gloucester
    Southwest District - Sam Leech, 4-H Extension agent, Tazewell
    Advisor Mentors - Libby Arnold, Prince William Co. and Mattie Ruth Stanley
Application Information
Horse Program Teen Ambassador Application and Information

THIS PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY THE FOLLOWING:

Events listed here are 4-H sponsored events only. For your 4-H event to be listed, email the PDF document to Sandy Arnold at least 2 weeks prior to your event date.

NEW 2017 Horse Project Record Books
- Junior 4-H Horse Project Record Book (writable PDF)
- Senior 4-H Horse Project Record Book (writable PDF)
4-H Horse Program Resources
- This page contains policies and guidelines for Virginia Tech and 4-H Horse related events. It also contains the Volunteer resources, educational resources, as well as rulebooks, horse judging resources and measurement resources.
Horse-related publications
- This page contains publications and record books for all 4-H Animal Science projects.