4-H Equine Program
Niagara County 4-H Equine Program
The 4-H Equine program is for individuals who have a passion for horses whether they own one or not. Youth may join a club or join as an individual member. Some activities offered include the following:
Horse Clubs – we have several horse clubs in the county – some are specific to mini horses, some are a mix of western and English riders, each club varies in how it runs and the activities they participate. Please contact the 4-H office to see which clubs are excepting new members.
Horse Bowl & Hippology - Quiz bowl to test equine IQ. Practices begin in January, competition is in April.
Horse Judging - Members learn the criteria for different equine disciplines and then attend 3+ judging contests in March, April, and August.
Horse Speech and Demonstration Contests - Participants can create a speech or equine related demonstration and present it at competitions.
5 Star Program - Used as a tool to gauge youths levels of equine related education, comprehension, and achievements while participating in the Counts 4-H Equine program. The intent of this program is to assist club leaders as well as individual members in mastering various horse related topics. This event happens once a year in March.
Annual Tack Swap - Friday Feb. 27, 2026
Local, Regional & State Horse Shows - Any 4-H member who wishes to participate in any 4-H sanctioned shows are encouraged to enroll in 4-H by October each year (although not required). See below for more information on upcoming horse shows and activities.
Dates for 2026 Regional Equine events:
- Horse Bowl: March 21 hosted by Catt. County
- Communications: March 28 in Hamburg in conjunction with the Western District presentations
- Hippology: April 25th in West Falls
FIVE STAR TESTING STUDY GUIDES
Updated in 2026:
***ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR AN ASTM/SEI APPROVED PROTECTIVE HELMET AT ALL TIMES WHILE MOUNTED ON A HORSE ON THE4-H GROUNDS.HELMETS MAY BE INSPECTED AT ANY TIME
For information and full class lists-Karen Randall 439-1865 (randallkaren254@gmail.com) or Cheryl Bish 716-439-4499 (CKRFarms@aol.com)
For Niagara County 4-H Sponsored Miniature Horse Show contact: Terri Seidel 772-2390 at tlseidel@aol.com
NYS 4-H HORSE OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATE
HORSE CAMPS AT NIAGARA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS 2026
2026 Niagara County 4-H Horse Show Dates
May 3 (Sun) - Schooling Show: English/Western/Games 8 AM
May 9 (Sat.) - Miniature Horse Fun Show: contact Terri Seidel
May 16/17 (Sat/Sun) - Open Horse Show: English: Sat 8 AM
Barrels Sat. NOT before 2 PM Western/Ranch: Sunday 8 AM
May 30/31 (Sat/Sun) - Niagara Co. AMHR & Shetland Show with 4-H classes
June 6 (Sat) - Miniature Obstacle Challenge: contact Terri Seidel
June 13/14 (Sat/Sun) - Open Horse Show: English: Sat 8 AM
Barrels Sat. NOT before 2 PM Western/Ranch: Sunday 8 AM
June 20 (Sat) - Miniature Horse Fun Show: contact Terri Seidel
July 10/11/12 (Fri/Sat/Sun) - 4-H Regional Horse Show: Friday - Dressage 2PM
Sat - English 8 AM/Gymkhana Not before 2 PM Sun - Western/Ranch 8 AM
July 18/19 (Sat/Sun) - Open Horse Show: English: Sat. 8 AM
Barrels Sat. NOT before 2 PM Western/Ranch: Sunday 8 AM
July 25 (Sat) - Miniature Horse Fun Show: contact Terri Seidel
Aug. 5 (Wed) - Open Miniature Horse Show (at Fair) 9 AM
Aug. 6 (Thurs) - Open Miniature Horse Driving Show (at Fair) 9 AM
Aug. 8 (Sat) - Open Barrel Show: NOT before 3 PM (at Fair)
Aug. 9 (Sun) - Open English & Western Show 7:30 AM start (at Fair)
Aug. 22/23 (Sat/Sun) - Niagara Co AMHR & Shetland Show with 4-H classes
Sept. 12/13 (Sat/Sun) - Open Horse Show: English Sat. 8 AM
Barrels Sat. NOT before 2 PM Western/Ranch: Sunday 8 AM
Sept. 26/27 (Sat/Sun) - Miniature Horse Inter-county show
Oct. 10/11 (Sat/Sun) - Big Horse Inter-County Show
CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE FULL SCHEDULE 2026 HORSE SHOWS
Contact
Heidi Feltz
Lead 4-H Educator
hmk3@cornell.edu
(716) 433-8839 ext. 241
Last updated March 11, 2026