What the Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Show Is
The Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Show is the statewide competition for Nebraska 4-H horse project members, described by the 4-H program as the pinnacle showing experience for the 4-H Horse Program. The next show is July 10 to 14, 2027, at Fonner Park in Grand Island. Check-in happens under the overhang of the Thompson Arena.
Who Can Enter
- Enrolled 4-H members ages 8 to 18 as of January 1 of the show year, enrolled in the 4-H horse project.
- Divisions by age on January 1: Junior (8 to 10), Intermediate (11 to 13) and Senior (14 and older).
- Juniors ages 8 and 9 may compete only in Level I and Level II classes.
- Exhibitors must pass the matching Horsemanship Advancement Level before entering a class: Levels I and II for the state show, Level III for Level III classes and Level IV for Level IV classes.
Classes by Level
| Level | Classes |
|---|---|
| Level I (in-hand) | Halter for mares and geldings by age group, miniature and Shetland pony halter under 46 inches, and Junior, Intermediate and Senior Showmanship. Entrants may enter only 3 in-hand classes. |
| Level II | Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Pleasure, Pony Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, English or Western Dressage, Ranch Pleasure, Ranch Riding, Barrels and Poles |
| Level III | Reining, Hunter Hack, 2-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure, 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure, Trail, Working Ranch Horse and the Advanced Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation classes |
| Level IV | Western Riding |
Western Pleasure and Ranch Pleasure require different horses. A horse ridden in the 2-Year-Old Snaffle Bit class cannot be ridden in any other class. A horse ridden in the 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure class may enter other events but not another pleasure class. Both 2- and 3-year-old classes need a signed affidavit with the horse identification.
How to Enter
- Finish the Horsemanship Advancement Level requirements and complete the 4-H Horse Identification Certification (F29777) through your local Extension office.
- The exhibitor or family completes the online entry at nhorse.fairwire.com. Club leaders and Extension staff may not enter for you.
- Register each exhibitor, then add entries in the State Horse Show department by division, class and horse name.
- Check out and pay by Visa or MasterCard, the only payment option.
Fees and Deadlines
For the 2026 show the fees were $15 per class per show, a one-time $25 office fee per exhibitor and a $55 Working Ranch Horse stock charge. Fees are forfeited with no refund if a youth enters ineligible classes or decides not to take part. Entries, horse identification forms and any affidavits were due June 1, with no late entries accepted. Check the 2027 entry page for the new year's fees and date.
Check-In and Show Rules
- Check in before your first show day or by 8:00 a.m. on the day you show.
- Hours: Saturday 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday through Tuesday 6:45 to 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday 6:45 to 8:00 a.m.
- Bring the horse unsaddled and wearing only a halter, a 14-day health certificate, Coggins proof dated within 12 months and horse IDs signed by the educator, parent and exhibitor.
- You receive the program, your exhibitor number and the pattern booklet at check-in.
- No drugs of any kind within 24 hours before the first event each show day at 8:00 a.m. Show staff may test any horse at any time.
- Stall gates must be at least 48 inches wide. Bring bedding and feed; shavings are not sold on the grounds.
- Lightning within 10 miles suspends the show until 30 minutes pass with no strikes.
Exhibitors are expected to prepare their own horses. The official rulebook is the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide.
Where
Fonner Park, Grand Island, Nebraska, with check-in at the Thompson Arena.
Questions
Who do I call?
Cindy Wolverton, Nebraska Extension Animal Science, 402-641-4490, or the Nebraska 4-H State Office at 402-472-2805.
Can I change an entry?
Use a change form, available the morning of the show at the show office.
Do I need a health certificate even if my horse is not showing?
Yes. All horses on the property need a health certificate and a negative Coggins.
Official Links
- State 4-H Horse Show: eligibility, classes and rules
- Horse Show entry: fees, deadlines and online entry steps
Nebraska 4-H Events and Contests: The Essentials
Nebraska 4-H runs far more than county fair: State Fair contests and exhibits, the State 4-H Horse Show, communication events, the Premier Animal Science Event and shooting sports championships. Enroll in 4-H Online by June 15 to take part in county and state fair.
State Fair
The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island held its 4-H events the first weekend of the 2026 fair, with animal and contest entries due online by August 10 at 8 p.m. Members must be 8 to 18 as of January 1. Static exhibits and the Fashion Show must be selected at a county fair; contests such as Culinary Challenge, Dairy Judging and Insect Identification need no county qualifier.
Other events
Horse entries are due earlier, June 1 in 2026. NAYI is for high school juniors and seniors, with applications due April 15. Check your county Extension office for current dates.
Livestock and learning
The Premier Animal Science Event in Lincoln, the Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit and the Livestock Achievement Program serve livestock youth. Shooting sports, Robotics Showcase and communication contests give members who do not show animals plenty to enter as well.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Hall County 4-H Fine Arts Night
Speech and talent contests for Hall County 4-H members, held March 24, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the College Park Auditorium; registration forms were due March 10.
Grand Island, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Hall County Official event details - Hall County 4-H Bicycle Road-E-O
Bicycle safety and skills event for ages 5-18 held May 27, 2026 at the Hall County Extension Office in Grand Island; pre-registration closed May 20.
Grand Island, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Hall County Official event details - Nebraska State Fair
Eleven-day state fair in Grand Island that always ends on Labor Day. It includes the 4-H and FFA exhibits, concerts at the BigIron Events Center and TD Landing, and horse and livestock events. The 2026 fair ran Aug. 28 to Sept. 7.
- Nebraska Affiliate Foundation Quarter Horse Registry Show
Quarter horse registry show opening the State Fair horse program, with classes starting at 8:00 a.m. in the indoor arena on Aug. 28 and 29, 2026.
Grand Island, NE | 308-382-1620 | Organizer: Nebraska State Fair Official event details - Nebraska State Fair Draft Horse Pull
Draft horse pulling contest in the indoor arena at the Nebraska State Fair, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.