MSU Extension Berrien County

Berrien County 4-H Horse Leaders Association provides educational opportunities for all youth and volunteers in the horse and pony project. The committee also coordinates various activities and events across the local 4-H program. 

Association meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., at the Berrien County Youth Memorial Building in Berrien Springs, MI. All meetings are held at this location except for the December meeting. If you would like to be added to the Berrien County 4-H Horse Leaders mailing list, please reach out to the current Secretary. (Please note, membership is only open to screen "Gold" or "Silver" level volunteers in Berrien County 4-H. 

Bylaws

• Current bylaws - Bylaws updated 2019

Committee Organized Events: 

4-H Open Fun Show 

Event Chair(s):   Tom Rossman

Date: May 5, 2024

Time: 8:00 a.m. 

Location:  Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds - Berrien Springs, MI 

Event Showbill - 2024 Fun Show Showbill

4-H Versatility Scholarship Event 

 The purpose of the Berrien County 4-H Versatility Scholarship Event is to identify and recognize the most versatile 4-H Teen-member and horse team in the Berrien County 4-H Horse and Pony project. The scholarship recognizes outstanding 4-H horse and rider versatility combination at the Berrien County 4-H Versatility Scholarship Event. Open to any Berrien County 4-H Horse and Pony project member who is 14 - 19 years of age and has completed the ninth grade. Maximum years participating in the event are not to exceed five. Age/grade to be determined as of January 1, of the current year.

Event Chair(s):   Gail Freehling 

Date:   Sunday, August 11, 2024

Time:   3:00 p.m. 

Location:  Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds - Berrien Springs, MI 

Classes for the Event: 

1. Showmanship: (Western or English) Riders and horses to be correctly appointed.

 2. English Equitation: Riders may ride hunt seat, dressage or saddle seat. Approved ASTM safety helmets are required.

 Mandatory Tack Change (4 minutes)

 3. Western Horsemanship: Riders and horses to be correctly appointed.

 4. Gymkhana: Speed and Action (Western or English) - Tack and apparel to complement one another. Approved ASTM safety helmets are required. Horse and rider must maintain a minimum jog/trot and not lose forward motion.

Applications can be downloaded at: 2024 Application - Coming Soon 

Applications must be submitted to: 

Berrien County MSU Extension Office 

1737 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor MI 49022

Photographs must  be submitted in jpeg or png format to:

TBA 

Applications must be postmarked by Monday, July 15, 2024. No late submissions will be accepted. 

Volunteer Hours:

It is required for all participants, or a representative, to volunteer for a minimum of two (2) hours. Volunteer service hours need to be related to the horse and pony project. Example of volunteer service hours projects include but are not limited to:

• Assisting at a local Horse Show as a gate attendant or entry office
• Assisting at the We Can Ride 4-H Club
• Assisting cleaning out stalls at the Berrien County Youth Fair

Volunteer service hours must be submitted no later than August 5, 2024 to receive credit. Volunteer service hours must be done between June 1, 2024 – August 6, 2024, to be counted. Volunteer service requirements can be submitted online at: 

COMING SOON 

Show Day Details 

Below are a few key details to keep in mind for show day: 

• Versatility Event horses may arrive with Slinkys on their necks only during vet inspection. 
• Check with your 4-H Horse Leader on entry day health details from the BCYF Health Committee. 4-H Horse Leaders are provided information from the BCYF Health Superintendent during the August 4-H Horse Leaders Association meeting. 
• Versatility Event exhibitors may pick up their exhibitor packets starting on August 1 at the following dates/locations: 
  • Berrien County MSU Extension Office - Benton Harbor, MI - Anytime after August 1
  • Berrien County 4-H Horse Leaders Association - Open Fun Show
  • Berrien County 4-H Horse Leaders Association August Meeting 
• Versatility Event patterns will be posted online no later then August 1 and will be available in exhibitor packet. 
• Grooms must wear their name badges at all times in the makeup ring. No other admittance is allowed other then exhibitor.  
• Exhibitors may leave the makeup area, however, the gate will not be held and youth may not exhibit out of order of exhibitor misses their call (unless for extenuating circumstances which is determined by the Versatility Chair/Co-Chair/MSU Extension Staff ONLY before departure). Failure to comply will receive a no score for that class. 

Versatility Scholarship Event Patterns

Below are the Versatility Scholarship Event patterns. Copies are available in exhibitor orientation packets which are available for pick up starting on August 1. No additional copies will be made. Patterns will be posted at the Julie Hein ring at the Berrien County Youth Fair - Equine Complex starting on August 12, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

2024 Showmanship Pattern - COMING SOON 

2024 English Equitation Pattern - COMING SOON