Equine Knowledge Contest Resources

What are Equine Knowledge Contests?

• Hippology - The Hippology Contest uniquely blends a variety of educational activities offered in the 4-H Horse Program into one unified event. The contest will include the following:
  • Judging - This phase of the contest may consist of placing live classes of horses or classes shown on slides or video.
  • Written Examination - This exam will consist of questions posed in a variety of ways including multiple choice, fill in, definitions, true and false and matching columns. Subject matter in general will be limited to genetics, nutrition, conformation, health, behavior and history. This may also include slides.
  • Identification, Anatomy - Contestants will be asked to identify tack, equipment, feed samples which may be ingredients commonly used in commercial feed or grains or hays. Contestants may be asked to identify or tie some of the more common knots or hitches. A knowledge of anatomy of the horse, breeds, breed history, colors, color patterns and equine activities will be tested.
  • Additional resources for Hippology.
• Horse Bowl - is a quiz contest made up of questions pertaining to horse topics. Pairs of four-person teams compete against each other responding to questions asked by a contest moderator. Additional resources for Horse Bowl.
• Horse Judging - In this event, youth make a careful evaluation of horses in a class, judging and placing them against an accepted ideal for the breed or discipline shown. Contests usually include halter and performance classes. Additional resources for Horse Judging.

Equine Knowledge Contest Videos

• Knowledge Contest Overview - broad overview of the equine knowledge contests and the opportunities they provide.
• Horse Judging - overview of contest, rules, and eligibility.
  • (Part 1) Judging Halter- highlights our horse judging contest and reviews the criteria for judging halter classes.
  • (Part 2) Judging Halter- features a practice class with a sample set or oral reasons.
  • Oral Reasons- focuses on oral reasons for a horse judging contest, offers suggestions for judging team coaches, volunteers and members on preparing and presenting reasons.
  • (Part 2) Oral Reasons- Example, 2 Year Old Mares given by Penn State Horse Judging Team member
  • (Part 3) Oral Reasons- Example, Yearling Stallions given by Penn State Horse Judging Team member
  • Judging Performance Classes- focuses on judging performance classes and reviews contest rules and specific classes within the performance division.

• Hippology- overview of contest, categories, rules, and eligibility.
• Horse Bowl- overview of contest, contest format, rules and member eligibility.

Equine Knowledge Contest Resources

• Link to Box Folder containing materials, rules and resources for each of our three contests

Eastern National Questions

• Link to Box Folder containing past Eastern National Horse Bowl and Hippology questions

4-H State Animal Science Contest Rules