What the State 4-H Horse Show Is
The Arkansas 4-H State Horse Show is the championship show of the Arkansas 4-H horse program. Members who qualified at a regional or district show compete in judged classes, speed events, ranch events and roping, then finish the week with public speaking, hippology and horse bowl contests. The most recent edition ran June 29 to July 1, 2026, at the White County Fairgrounds, 802 Davis Drive, Searcy, with horses allowed to arrive from noon on Sunday, June 28. It is run by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
Divisions and Classes
The show has 41 classes in seven qualifying divisions.
| Division | Classes |
|---|---|
| Halter | Pony and miniatures, stock type mares, stock type geldings |
| Judged performance | Trail, western pleasure, western horsemanship, reining, showmanship, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation |
| Speed events | Barrel racing, pole bending, stake race, flag race, keyhole race, goat tying |
| Roping | Breakaway, tie-down calf roping, team roping |
| Ranch horse | Ranch halter, ranch trail, ranch riding, ranch roping, ranch reining, ranch boxing |
How It Works: The Schedule
- Monday, June 29: pony height check at 8:45 a.m.; classes 1-17 (the speed, roping and ranch events) start at 9:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, June 30: classes 18-40 start at 8:00 a.m.; a tack and clothes swap runs all day near the concession stand.
- Wednesday, July 1, Education Building: public speaking at 8:30 a.m.; hippology check-in at 9:15 a.m. and contest at 9:30 a.m.; Horse Bowl at 2:00 p.m., with Horse Bowl and Hippology awards right after.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Entrants must be bona fide 4-H members enrolled in a horse project in Arkansas.
- All participants must have passed their 8th birthday before January 1, 2026. Intermediate members must be 11 by January 1 and Seniors must be 14 by January 1; Seniors stay eligible until December 31 of the year they turn 19.
- To enter the state show, an exhibitor must have shown at a regional or district show. Showing in a class within a division there makes the member eligible for any class in that division at state.
- Pony riding classes are for riders 8-12. Ponies must measure 52 inches or less. Stallions are not allowed.
- ASTM/SEI approved helmets are required in all speed event classes. Anyone competing at the Southern Regional must wear an approved helmet on a horse, in competition or warm-up.
- Written protests need a $50 cash remittance by the end of the next scheduled event.
Key Dates and Fees
Entries for the 2026 show were due June 17, and T-shirts could not be ordered after that date. Checks are made out to CES.
- Class fee: $12 per class; one-time registration fee for horse show classes: $10
- Goat fee: $10 per run; cattle fee: $45 per run
- Stall: $30 per day; RV spot: $35 per night
- Contest fee: $10 per individual per contest
- T-shirts (optional): $15; clinics are free
Awards and What You Get
High-point awards go to a Junior/Intermediate and a Senior champion in the judged performance, speed, ranch and roping divisions when sponsorships are available. First place in a class earns 10 points, second earns 9, and so on to tenth. A separate Pony High Point goes to the top single pony for the whole show.
The state show is also the path to the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships, held July 29 to August 2, 2026, in Perry, Georgia. Each state may send 45 horses, and a rider must have competed at the state show. Regional entries must be completed before leaving the state show; none are accepted by email or phone.
Questions
Can a beginner just show up?
No. Exhibitors must first show at a regional or district qualifying show.
Can I bring more than one horse?
Members can show an unlimited number of horses. More than one horse per class is allowed in trail, reining, all speed classes, roping, goat tying and the ranch classes, but in other classes only one.
Who do I call?
Mark Russell, Equine Extension, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: 501-671-2190.
Official Links
- Arkansas 4-H Horse Events: show documents, fees list and results
- 2026 State Show Schedule: class schedule and entry deadline
- 2025 state show news release: scale and qualifying background
University of Arkansas Extension: The Essentials
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and has a physical office in each of Arkansas's 75 counties, per the Extension "About" page.
What it offers
Four program areas: 4-H and youth development, agriculture and natural resources, community, professional and economic development, and family and consumer sciences. Farmers get help with crop pests, soil testing, livestock and marketing, and homeowners with lawns, water quality and timber.
4-H
New members can join at any time at no cost, and returning members re-enroll September 1 through December 31, per the Division of Agriculture. The county 4-H agent matches each child to a club.
Next steps
Find your county office at uaex.uada.edu/counties, or call the state office at 501-671-2000 or toll-free 888-884-5565.
Read the full guide: University of Arkansas Extension: County Offices, 4-H and Help for Producers
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Central 4-H Qualifying Horse Show
Central region qualifying horse show for Arkansas 4-H riders at the White County Fairgrounds in Searcy; the most recent date was June 5, 2026.
Searcy, AR | Organizer: Arkansas 4-H Official event details - White County Fair
Held each year at the White County Fairgrounds on Davis Drive in Searcy; the most recent run was September 14-19, 2026.
802 Davis Drive, Searcy, AR | Organizer: White County Fair Board Official event details - Arkansas Pecan Festival
Pecan festival on Main Street in Keo, scheduled for December 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Street, Keo, AR 72083 Official event details - Arkansas Rice Festival
Rice-themed festival in downtown Weiner, scheduled for October 9, 2027.
Weiner, AR Official event details - Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 3-5, 2025 (91st convention). Includes a public trade show with 180+ vendors, a farmers market, workshops and elections of state leaders.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.