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).
- State Shows
- Qualifying Events
- Regional & National Events
- Equismartz
- Horsemanship Skills
- Horse Ambassador
- Conferences / Clinics / Camps / Shows
- Publications and Resources
- Study Materials
- Results
- Newsletters
- Mary Cole 50-Mile
- End of Year Awards Banquet
Application and Information - DUE JULY 31 by email
Visit us on Instagram - VA 4-H Horse Ambassadors!!
Ambassadors are selected to serve a one year term, beginning September 25th, leading 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. The Horse Ambassador Program began on September 25, 2017.
If you are interested having an Ambassador at your event or club meeting, please contact the District or Lead Advisor, who will 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 listed below or the State Lead Advisor, Sandy Arnold for Ambassador support.
2019-2020 Ambassadors (Sept. 25, 2019 - Sept. 25, 2020)
- Northern District
Alina Ampeh, Fairfax
Kayla Dixon, Prince William
Kimberly Laue, Frederick
Emily Sears, Albemarle
Samantha Whysong, Prince William
- Southeast District
Stephanie DiGioia, VA Beach
Megan Gaines, Chesterfield
Elyssa Parker, Hanover
- Southwest District
Audrey Allen, Washington
Mary Blankenship, Tazewell
Rachel Buchanan, Botetourt
Mattie DeBord, Washington
- Ambassador Advisors
Central District - Dillon Robinson, 4-H Extension agent, Lunenburg
Northern District - Kimberly Buonomo, 4-H Extension agent, Albemarle
Southeast District - Krista Gustafson, 4-H Extension agent, Gloucester
Southwest District - Lauren Kopp, 4-H Extension agent, Smyth
At Large - Sam Leech, 4-H Extension agent, Rockingham
Mentor Advisor, Northern District - Camryn Madagan, Frederick
Mentor Advisor, Southwest District - Mattie Ruth Stanley, Dickenson
Mentor Advisor, Southeast District - Martina Essert, Chesapeake
State Advisor - Leona Ransdell, Youth Equine Extension Specialist
State Lead Advisor - Sandy Arnold, Youth Equine Extension Associate
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.
- 4-H Horse Program Resources
- Policies and guidelines for Virginia Tech and 4-H Horse related events, Volunteer resources, educational resources, as well as rulebooks, horse judging resources, measurement resources, and scholarship information.
- Horse-related publications
- Record books and publications for all 4-H Animal Science projects.
- Block & Bridle Horse Judging Contest Results
- Block and Bridle Hippology Contest Results
- State Hippology Contest Results
- State 4-H Horse Judging Contest Results
- Public Speaking and Demonstration Contest Results
- Horse Bowl Contest Results
- Horse Show Results
- State Fair Results
- Southern Regionals
- Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Results
4-H Horse Program Newsletters
- November 2019 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- July 2019 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- February 2019 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- July - August 2018 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- May - June 2018 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- March - April 2018 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- November - December 2017 4-H Virginia Horse Program Newsletter
- September - October 2017 4-H Virginia Horse Program Newsletter
- July - August 2017 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- May - June 2017 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- March - Aprill 2017 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- January - February 2017 4-H Virginia Horse Program Newsletter
- December 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- October/November 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- September 2016 Virginia Horse 4-H Program Newsletter
- July - August 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- June 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- April - May 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- March 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- February 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- January 2016 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- December 2015 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- November 2015 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
- October 2015 Virginia 4-H Horse Program Newsletter
VT APSC & DAILY Newsletters with 4-H Horse Program Content
- VT Daily Jan. 4 2019 - State Team Wins
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2015 (PDF | 6MB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2014 (PDF | 5MB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2013 (PDF | 8MB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2012 (PDF | 5MB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2011 (PDF | 999KB)
- Newsletter Spring/Summer 2011 (PDF | 1019KB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2009 (PDF | 1MB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2008 (PDF | 786KB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2007 (PDF | 696KB)
- Newsletter Fall/Winter 2006 (PDF | 1MB)
Mary Cole 4-H Horsemaster 50 Mile Trail Ride
- Date: June 14-18, 2020
- Location: Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
- Contact: Sandy Arnold
- Sample of Last Year's Form - Intent to Ride Pre-application (will be due 4/3/2020)
- Sample of Last Year's Form - Preparation and Final Payment (will be due 5/13/2020)
First Annual Year End Award Banquet
ALL members of the Virginia 4-H Horse Program are invited to attend the Banquet to celebrate our accomplishments from the past year and get ready for 2020!
Date: Saturday, January 18th at the Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Time: 5:00pm – light refreshments served, 5:30 Banquet Doors will open, 6:00pm dinner served
Dress: Business casual/dressy casual
Cost: $35/person
Banquet Reservations: https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dirjcltTqwrhstT
To reserve a seat at the Banquet, please follow the link and fill out the information. Your seat is NOT considered RESERVED until PAYMENT has been RECEIVED IN FULL! Dinner Options: Hokie London Broil, Chicken Piccata, Vegetarian Option of Butternut Squash
Lodging: The Hyatt Place in Blacksburg has a block of rooms reserved for attendees. The Inn at VT does not have room as they are being used as housing for students this year. To make your reservations: https://www.hyatt.com/shop/cltzb?location=Hyatt%20Place%20Blacksburg%2FUniversity&checkinDate=2020-01-17&checkoutDate=2020-01-19&rooms=1&adults=1&kids=0&corp_id=G-4HHP or call 1-800-233-1234 and the rooms are under Virginia 4-H.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Diamond Level Sponsors:
Virginia Horse Industry Board
Virginia Farm Bureau
Virginia Horse Council
Blue Ridge Trailers - Ruckersville, VA
Emerald Sponsors:
Pizza Hut
Ruby Level Sponsors:
EquiNutrix Equine Nutrition
Sapphire Level Sponsors:
Arabian Youth Horse Association
Heron Ridge - Harry & Stacy Daugherty
Jotobi Farm – Dr. and Mrs. Arden Huff
Award Sponsors:
Heron Ridge - Harry & Stacy Daugherty
Carol Miller

Related Topics
Calendar of Events
Subsribe to the Listserv
Contact
Mounted Activities:
Specialist - Leona Ransdell
leonar@vt.edu
Unmounted Activities:
Associate - Sandy Arnold
horse4H@vt.edu