HORSE PROJECTS

2026 Horse Project Important Dates

February 21st, 2026 Horse Committee Tack Sale Fundraiser 5:00 PM, Jackson County Fairgrounds
May 16th, 2026

Mandatory Horse Check-In & EquiSTEP Training

Coggins Tests ($50), Horse Leases, Registration ID Forms, & Stall Fee ($10) due

EquiSTEP Training is MANDATORY for all 4-H Horse Exhibitors. FairEntry help will be available!

 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Jackson County Fairgrounds
June 15th, 2026 FairEntries Due Log into FairEntry
July 20th, 2026 Junior Fair Horse Show (Contest) 6:00 PM, Horse Arena
July 22nd, 2026 Junior Fair Horse Show (Showmanship & Horsemanship) 10:00 AM, Horse Arena
July 23rd, 2026 Junior Fair Horse Fun Show Following conclusion of Diamon J Rodeo, Horse Arena

 

Other dates to add to your calendar: 

FREE Open Ride Nights for 4-H Youth @ Fairgrounds

  • April 19th, 2pm-5pm
  • May 16th, after Equistep
  • May 31st, 2pm-5pm
  • Spring Trail Ride @ Hammertown Lake, 2pm

 

Horse PROJECT FORMS & RESOURCES

 

Equine 4-H Projects & Project Book Interviews: 

  • Beginner 4-H Equine exhibitors should first start with the Beginning Horse Management Book for the first 3-years of the project. 

  • All other 4-H Equine Exhibitors should have purchased a 4-H Equine Project & Record Book. Any other equine projects a member has enrolled in (Trail Riding, Draft Horses, Roping, etc.) should be brought to that interview along with the Equine Project and Record Book. The Equine Project & Record Book can be used multiple years in a row as long as records are up to date and current financials are reported. 
  • All horse projects a member has enrolled in will be judged together in ONE interview at 4-H Project Book Judging & Interviews. Equine projects are judged the same day as all other Animal Science projects.  

 

Mandatory Horse Check-In & EquiSTEP training

ALL 4-H members planning to exhibit their horses at the 2026 Jackson County Junior Fair should bring their horses to the Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 16th at 9:00 AM for the mandatory horse health and safety check-in. The entire program will last until 1:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. During check-in, exhibitors will complete their FairEntry entries, body conditioning, and have the opportunity to open ride in the arena. Mandatory EquiSTEP training will also take place this day. All horse exhibitors should plan to attend for the entire session as EquiSTEP training is REQUIRED by Ohio 4-H. PLEASE SEE YOUR EMAIL CLOSER TO THE DATE FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

Exhibitors must turn in:

  • $10.00 Stall Fee
  • Horse Leasing Forms (if applicable)
  • Registration ID Forms
  • Proof of Coggins Test

Coggins Testing will be available at the Mandatory Horse Check-In & EquiSTEP Training for $50.00 by the Fair Veterinarian. Please bring payment and Coggins Testing Form. Coggins testing can be completed ahead of time by your own veterinarian (test results are good for 12 months), however, proof of Coggins MUST be turned in before or during the Mandatory Horse Check-In & EquiSTEP Training. Proof can be emailed to Maddie Allman at allman.68@osu.edu for filing, or uploaded into your 4-H Online account. 

 

EQUISTEP (Equine Safety, Training, and Education Program)

ALL 4-H Horse Exhibitors are required to complete EquiSTEP Training. EquiSTEP is an annual statewide requirement for all youth participating in Ohio 4-H Horse Program activities and is similar to the Assuring Quality Care of Animals (QA) Training for Market Livestock Exhibitors. Horse exhibitors are not required to complete QA unless they are also exhibiting a market animal project at the Fair. EquiSTEP replaces the statewide requirement of reading the Horses, Safety, and You (191R) resource and viewing the Every Time, Every Ride and Horses, Kids, and Ethics videos for youth and their families who are new to the 4-H horse program. The EquiSTEP curriculum focuses on helmet safety, equine safety & handling, equine health & nutrition, and sportsmanship. 

 

Horseless Horse Showmanship Class

All 4-H youth enrolled in the Horseless Horse project have the opportunity to participate in a special showmanship class during the fair. Youth will work with a horse exhibitor to learn horse showmanship and get a chance to enter the ring as a horse exhibitor themselves. Sign ups will be available at the fair!

 

OHIO STATE FAIR: 

4-H youth interested in exhibiting horses at the Ohio State Fair should visit: https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions.

Horse Show entries for the Ohio State Fair are due ONLINE by June 1st, 2026. 

Horses exhibited at the Ohio State Fair do not need to be exhibited or checked-in to the Jackson County Fair, unless they are planning to be exhibited at the Jackson County Fair as well.