What the 4-H Horse Show Is
The 4-H Horse Show is the state-level horse competition for 4-H members at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. Young riders ages 8 to 18 show in halter showmanship, western, ranch, English and timed events, and the top exhibitor in each age group earns a belt buckle. It is a 4-H-only show, run alongside but separate from the fair's open horse shows. The 2026 show ran three days, Monday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 22, with the first class each morning at 8:00 a.m.
Events and Age Groups
Every event is split into three age groups: 8 through 11, 12 through 14 and 15 through 18, based on the rider's age before Sept. 1, 2025. Showmanship at halter is judged for each age group as well.
| Day | Events | Arena |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, July 20, 8 a.m. | Hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, hunter hack, equitation over fences, reining | Arena II |
| Tuesday, July 21, 8 a.m. | Showmanship, western pleasure, western horsemanship (Arena II); trail class and ranch riding (All Seasons Arena) | Arena II and All Seasons Arena |
| Wednesday, July 22, 8 a.m. | Barrel racing, pole bending, keyhole race, flag race | Arena II |
The starting time is for the first event of the day, and other classes follow in sequence. Show management can adjust the schedule.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Riders must be enrolled 4-H members ages 8 to 18 and active in a North Dakota county club in the 2025-2026 year.
- A member may bring up to three animals (horses, draft horses or mules) to the state 4-H horse show, and may enter each class once.
- Because some county shows come after the entry date, enter the events you expect to qualify for. You can bring an updated entry form to check-in, signed by your extension agent or the horse show superintendent.
- A rider can enter each class for their age group if they won a blue ribbon in that event in a county 4-H show since Aug. 1, 2025 on the same horse.
- If a horse is injured or ill, a rider may substitute another horse that was identified in 4-HOnline, with prior notice.
- Dress code: long-sleeved solid white shirt with a 4-H emblem on the front left, an ASTM-SEI approved helmet with harness for all mounted events, Western boots, dark blue or black jeans and a belt. English events call for a conservative coat, breeches or jodhpurs, and boots.
- Exhibitor numbers must be clearly visible on both sides of the saddle pad, and on the rider's back in showmanship at halter.
- No riding in the barns. An unruly horse is dismissed from the ring or grounds, and unsportsmanlike conduct can be penalized.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- July 1: 4-H horse entry forms were due in the State Fair office.
- Sunday, July 19, noon to 6:00 p.m., or by 8:00 a.m. Monday: entry and stalling of 4-H horses at the 4-H Horse Office. Horses with stalls stay on the fairgrounds until their classes finish.
- Monday to Wednesday, July 20 to 22: the show.
Awards, Passes and Costs
A belt buckle high-point award goes to the top exhibitor in each age group at the end of the show, with points based on place and ribbon in each event. Premiums follow the fair's ribbon system and are paid by mail. Horse exhibitors must buy a trailer pass in advance, which the fair lists as $10 per day for a tow vehicle, one per family; passes are not sold at the gate, and trailers up to 32 feet can park on the grounds. Camping is by advance reservation only: $15 per night for tents and $25 per night for campers. A 4-H or FFA exhibitor season ticket is $10 with a membership card.
Where
Arena II and the All Seasons Arena at the North Dakota State Fair, 2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701.
Questions
Can I show if I do not have a blue ribbon from my county show?
The rule is that riders who earned a blue ribbon in the same event on the same horse in a county 4-H show since Aug. 1, 2025 may enter each class for their age group. Talk to your county extension agent about how your county qualifies riders.
Where do I check in?
At the 4-H Horse Office, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday or by 8 a.m. Monday.
Who do I call?
The State Fair office, 701-857-7620. The 4-H horse show lead listed in the exhibit book is Breana Kiser.
Official Links
North Dakota County Fairs: The Essentials
North Dakota county fairs run from June into the fall and combine an open class, a 4-H division run by NDSU Extension, and often FFA exhibits. Each county sets its own fair book, dates and deadlines, so get yours from the Extension office early. History: laws from 1897 and 1905 let county commissioners levy taxes to support county fairs.
Examples
Grant County's 2025 fair (August 14-17, Carson) required six club meetings, set market beef ownership at March 1 and other species at May 1, and used interview judging for static projects. Cass County's 2021 Red River Valley Fair opened registration June 1 and paid static blue $3.50, red $2.50 and white $1.50.
State fair
The 2026 North Dakota State Fair ran July 17-25 in Minot. Static exhibits needed a blue ribbon or higher at a county event supervised by Extension, and exhibitors needed to be enrolled in 4-HOnline. Livestock entries were due May 1, with YQCA or equivalent quality assurance training required, and premiums were mailed in September. Read your county book for the dates that apply locally and for any residency rules before you enter.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Minot
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Minot for teachers. Next session posted for January 27, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Minot, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Ward County 4-H Air Rifle and Pistol Match
County 4-H shooting sports match held February 21, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, with a Fun Match for all ages at 1 p.m.
2005 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701 | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Rodeo Minot
Friday brings an NDRA rodeo and Saturday a PRCA rodeo at the State Fair Center, with adult tickets at $15 and $20. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 10-11, 2026.
2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-8206 Official event details - Ward County 4-H Achievement Days
The 94th annual Ward County 4-H Achievement Days ran June 12-18, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds with 264 members showing projects, horses and livestock; free to attend.
Minot, ND | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - NDSA Spring Roundup Berthold
NDSA District 6 spring roundup in Berthold, a free cattlemen's meeting that starts with a 5 p.m. social. Held each year; the most recent roundup was 2026-06-08.
210 Main Street, Berthold, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Stockmen's Association Official event details
All North Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.