Berrien County 4-H Horse Leaders

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 approved screened "Gold" or "Silver" level volunteers in Berrien County 4-H. 

 

Bylaws

 

Committee Organized Events: 

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 have completed the eight (8th) grade no later than July 15, 2025. Maximum years participating in the event are not to exceed five. 

Event Chair(s):   Tami Gear & Chrissy Bradford

Date:   Sunday, August 10, 2025

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: Cloverleaf Barrels (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.

New for 2025, applications along with bio and photo must be submitted through 4-H Online. No late submissions accepted. Deadline for applications is July 15 by 11:59 p.m. EST 

Applications Here

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 1, 2025 to receive credit. Volunteer service hours must be done between June 1, 2025 - August 1, 2025, to be counted. Volunteer service requirements can be submitted online at: https://forms.gle/bfsmEXSbz7BNvd126  

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 Jack Dean ring at the Berrien County Youth Fair - Equine Complex starting on August 9, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

  • Showmanship Patterns - TBA