30th Annual Alabama 4-H Horse Show Opens 
	Auburn, June 28, 2002 --- The Alabama State 4-H Horse Show celebrates its 30th birthday this 
year, and interest and entries are up.  More than 230 young people from 29 Alabama counties will 
participate in the show July 9-12 at the Garrett Coliseum Complex in Montgomery.  Participants will 
compete in one or more of 66 show classes. 
"The 4-H Horse Show is a wonderful opportunity for young people to compete," says Dr. Cindy 
McCall, an animal scientist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.  "And you don't have to 
have a horse to participate.  In addition to riding classes, there are a number of classes for young people 
who are horse enthusiasts but may not own a horse."
There are 12 classes in which the competitor does not need an animal to participate.  They 
include public speaking, individual and team demonstrations, photography, artistic expression, quiz bowl 
and horse judging.
A new event this year will be hippology.  Hippology is the science of horses, and the event will 
test young people's knowledge of horses.  A written quiz will test participants on subjects such as 
anatomy, breeds, feeds and equipment.  The event also includes team activities where four young people 
must evaluate a scenario, develop a solution or management plan, and then make an oral presentation of 
their solution to the judges.
"These events really are another way to reinforce the learning and knowledge aspects related to 
riding and horse ownership," says Bob Ebert, an Extension animal scientist who coordinates youth animal 
science events.  "They help drive home the lessons that being a responsible rider and owner go far 
beyond sitting in the saddle."
	In the classes involving horses, young people will be able compete in English or hunt seat, saddle 
seat and Western riding styles.  Visitors can see competition in classes ranging from showmanship, 
where young people are judged on their ability to show their horses, to riding classes, where riders and 
their horses are evaluated on their abilities to perform certain skills.
	“There will also be traditional Western events, such as breakaway roping, barrel racing and pole 
bending, as well as jumping and dressage among the English events,” says Ebert.
	In addition to the competition, he says young people learn more skills than just horsemanship 
with their involvement in 4-H horse clubs and events.
	“Young people develop skills they will use the rest of their lives,” says Ebert.  “These activities 
foster responsibility, sportsmanship and time management.  The horse depends on the youngster to 
provide for its needs, and that builds maturity in the young person.  Young people also learn the 
importance of being considerate of fellow competitors and judges even when they may not win.”
	Winners at the Alabama 4-H Horse Show will compete at the 4-H Regional Horse Show July 31 
through August 4 in Memphis, Tenn.
	Four-H is the oldest and largest publicly funded youth development organization in the United 
States.  Begun in the early part of this century, it was a way to extend the learning of land-grant 
universities to children in rural communities.  Today, 4-H has a presence in every county in the nation.
	In Alabama, more than 80,000 young people between 9 and 19 are involved in 
4-H.  Four-H is one of the most visible program efforts of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Source:  Dr. Cindy McCall, Animal Scientist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-
1556