EquiSmartz State 4-H Educational Contests
4-H and FFA Hippology and Horse Judging - April 10-11th - Meadow Event Park
4-H Horse Bowl and Communications - April 25th - Blue Ridge Community College
Contest Letter
Entry Forms, Rules & Results
- 4-H HORSE BOWL ENTRY FORM: https://tinyurl.com/26HorseBowl
- 4-H COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST ENTRY FORM: https://tinyurl.com/26Communications
- 4-H & FFA HIPPOLOGY AND HORSE JUDGING ENTRY FORM: https://tinyurl.com/EquismartzHippHJ
Results
- Horse Bowl Results
- Communications Results
- Hippology and Horse Judging Results are available on judgingcard.com
- Horse Bowl Results
- Communications Results
- Hippology and Horse Judging Results available on judgingcard.com
- Horse Bowl Results
- Communications Results
- Hippology and Horse Judging Results available on judgingcard.com
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
- Entry Link: https://tinyurl.com/EquismartzHippHJ
- Entry Fees: 12$/contestant entered in Hippology, $15/contestant entered in Horse Judging
- Entry Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
- 2025 Resource List
- 2026 Horse Bowl Contest Letter
- Entry
- 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
- https://tinyurl.com/26Communications
- Entry Fee: $15.00/contestant entered
- Entry Deadline: Monday, April 13th, 2026
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.
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
Lauren McCroskey
Extension Youth Animal Science Associate
lkopp@vt.edu
(540) 231-1716
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Calendar of Events
Related Topics
Horse Program Advising Leadership
District Horse Councils
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!