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EquiSmartz State 4-H Educational Contests

April 4-6, 2025: Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA

Schedule

  • 4-H/FFA Hippology - Friday, April 4, Rockbridge High School and Saturday April 5, Virginia Horse Center (for 4-H horse judging phase)
  • 4-H/FFA Horse Judging - Saturday, April 5, Virginia Horse Center (reasons at Rockbridge High School Sat. afternoon)
  • 4-H Horse Bowl - Sunday morning, April 6, Rockbridge High School
  • 4-H Horse Communications Contest - Sunday, April 6  Rockbridge High School

Entry Forms, Rules & Results

Results

Rules and Other Contest Information

 
  • The Horse Judging and Hippology Contests are open to BOTH 4-H and FFA, and youth are able to dual-enroll
    • FFA Teams, please see link here for information on age/grade level eligibility, and team make up for the State Horse Judging Contest
    • This event will serve as the Junior FFA Horse Judging Contest and Day 1 of the Senior FFA Horse Judging Contest. The top 5 teams will return during State FFA Convention for Day 2.     
  •     Entry
    • Fees - Hippology: $10.00/contestant, Horse Judging: $15.00/contestant
    • Payment Information can be found in Contest Letter
    • Deadline: 5:00 PM on March 25, 2025   
    • Volunteers/Agents/Advisors may submit one entry form per Unit/Chapter         
  • 2025 Resource List
  • 2025 Horse Bowl Contest Letter
  •  Entry
    • Fees - $10.00/contestant
    • Payment Information can be found in Contest Letter
    • Deadline: 5:00 PM on March 25, 2025   
    • Volunteers/Agents may submit one entry form per Unit    
  • Each District may submit 5 Junior and 5 Senior Teams eligible for State Competition. 
  • Cross-Unit enrollment is allowed, as their is no opportunity for individual competition. Teams should have practiced and qualified together at the local level.
  •  Entry
    • Fees - $10.00/contestant
    • Payment Information can be found in Contest Letter
    • Deadline: 5:00 PM on March 25, 2025   
    • Volunteers/Agents may submit one entry form per Unit    

Thank you to the Farm Credit Knowledge Center and the Virginia Horse Industry Board for sponsoring EquiSmartz!
 

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Hunter Liles, Youth Animal Science Extension Associate at huntl97@vt.edu between hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m, Monday-Friday. to discuss accommodations 15 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

horse program logo

Contact

Katherine Carter
Extension Youth Animal Science Specialist
carterke@vt.edu
(540) 231-2257

Hunter Liles
Extension Youth Animal Science Associate
huntl97@vt.edu
(540) 231-6345

 


Horse Program Advising Leadership

Social Media

 

To contribute to the Madagan Endowment, checks may be written to:

VA 4-H Foundation with memo Madagan endowment

Mail checks to:  

VA 4-H Foundation
902 Prices Fork Road
Attn: Gift Acct.
Blacksburg, VA 24061

This endowment funds scholarships annually to applicants active on the current VA 4-H Horse Program State Educational Teams competing at the regional and national contests to help cover their travel expenses. The larger the endowment, the greater funds available for scholarships. Thank you for your continued support!