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.
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
NYS 4-H Horse Team Competition, “Inter-county” at Niagara County Fairgrounds on October 9, 10, & 11, 2026. CLICK HERE for full details, rules, and entry forms. Entry forms are due by Sept. 30, 2026.
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NYS 4-H Miniature Horse Inter-county Team Competition at Niagara County Fairgrounds on Saturday Sept. 26 and Sunday Sept. 27, 2026. Entries due by Sept. 18, 2026. CLICK HERE for full rules, details, and entry form.
Contact
Heidi Feltz
Lead 4-H Educator
hmk3@cornell.edu
(716) 433-8839 ext. 241
Last updated July 10, 2026