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Participating in your local 4-H projects could bring you to county, regional, state and national competitions! Competitions are open to youth ages 9 and up. In addition to helping you improve your personal skills and knowledge, you gain the experience of connecting with other youth in your project area from across California, and sometimes nationwide!
As part of the University of California, our 4-H professionals and volunteers support your learning with research-based curriculum and processes. The high performance of 4-H youth at state and national competitions is a testament to the quality of your learning experience!
Participating in National Competitions
Participating in National Competitions
To compete in national 4-H contests, 4-H youth must first qualify at a State Qualifying Event. Participants who qualify for national competitions will receive additional information from the State 4-H office.
Qualifying team members can decide if they will attend a national competition. Both team members and coaches should be aware of the following guidelines.
Roles & Responsibilities for staff, coaches, chaperones and youth for National Contests (PDF)
Guidelines from National 4-H Headquarters for Multi-state Competititve Events (PDF)
State Qualifiers
State Qualifiers
State qualifier contests are open to all enrolled 4-H youth that are in good standing with their local county program. Enrollment in a contest specific project is not required to compete in a state qualifier.
Livestock Judging
Livestock Judging
California 4-H State Livestock Judging Rules (docx)
UC Davis Field Day - The top three teams in the Senior 4-H division will qualify to participate in a national 4-H competition.
Contest Date: March 7, 2026
Livestock Skillathon
Livestock Skillathon
California Youth Ag Expo (CYAE) - The top 4 youth in the 14-18 year old category will be eligible to qualify for the National 4-H Livestock Skillathon.
Contest Date: July 30, 2026
Dairy Cattle Judging
Dairy Cattle Judging
California State 4-H Dairy Contest Rules (PDF)
Modesto Junior College will host the State 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging contest. Novice (any age), Junior (9-13 years old), and Senior (14-18 years old) age divisions offered. The top four 4-H youth in the Senior age division will qualify for the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo (Madison, WI).
Contest Date: March 14, 2026
Contact your local county 4-H office to enter
Entry Deadline: March 7, 2026
Poultry Judging
Poultry Judging
California State Poultry Judging Rules (PDF)
Avian Bowl
Avian Bowl
The State 4-H Avian Bowl Contest will be held in conjunction with the Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers'
Senior 4-H team members can qualify for the 4-H National Poultry and Egg Conference. Team only contest.
Contest Date: February 21, 2026
Equine Educational Contests
Equine Educational Contests
California State 4-H Horse Classic Information
The State 4-H Horse Classic Educational Contests will be at the Brookside Show Park in Elk Grove, CA again this year.
State qualifying contests include Individual and Team Demonstration, Public Speaking, Horse Bowl, Horse Judging, and Hippology. Junior (9-13 years old) and Senior (14-18 years old) age divisions are offered for all contests. The top placing youth in the Senior division will qualify to advance to the national 4-H contests and represent California 4-H at the Western National 4-H Roundup in Denver, CO (January 2027).
Contest Dates:
July 15, 2026 (Demonstration, Public Speaking, and Horse Bowl)
July 16. 2026 (Horse Judging and Hippology)
Horse Classic event information and updates
Plant Science/Horticulture
Plant Science/Horticulture
The 4-H State Plant Science Contest at CA 4-H State Field Day is the qualifying state contest for the National Junior Horticulture Association.
Fashion Revue
Fashion Revue
State Fashion Revue at Calif. 4-H State Field Day is the qualifying state contest for the National 4-H Fashion Revue, held at the 4-H Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
National Competitions
National Competitions
California 4-H is represented at the following national competitions. Participation in national competitions requires pre-qualifying at a state competition.
Livestock Judging & Livestock Skillathon
Livestock Judging & Livestock Skillathon
Contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu
North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) (Louisville, KY). National 4-H Livestock Contests Information.
American Royal (Kansas City, MO)
Western National Roundup (Denver, CO)
Dairy Cattle Judging
Dairy Cattle Judging
Contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu
National 4-H Dairy Judging competition at the World Dairy Expo (Madison, WI). The World Dairy Expo is the international dairy meeting place, a five-day event showcasing the finest in dairy genetics and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry.
Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl
Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl
Contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu
4-H National Poultry and Egg Conference (Louisville, KY)
Horse Classic - Western Region
Horse Classic - Western Region
Contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu
Western National Roundup (Denver, CO)
Plant Science/Horticulture
Plant Science/Horticulture
National Junior Horticulture Association contest in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Fashion Revue
Fashion Revue
Contact Stephanie Barrett at slbarrett@ucanr.edu
National 4-H Fashion Revue, held at the 4-H Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
4-H Shooting Sports
4-H Shooting Sports
Contact Russell Hill at rdhill@ucanr.edu or Nathaniel Caeton at nwcaeton@ucanr.edu
National 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship, Grand Island, NE
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