County Fair

Register for the fair:

• Enroll in 4-H

  • Select projects (horse, horseless horse, etc)

• Complete Animal ID by May 15th

• Complete Stall request form by May 15th

Horse check-in:

• You will enter through the same gate that we do for horse clinics off of Orono Parkway NW (same as clinics)

• A veterinarian from Anoka Equine will need to review your Coggin’s test and examine your horse prior to going to the stables

• You will turn in your show fee of $20.00 per kid, maximum of $40 per family at check-in.  There is no fee for cloverbuds. 

• You will receive your welcome packet that includes your show number, schedule, patterns, sportsmanship nomination form Jennifer

• You have the option of leaving your trailer at the fairgrounds.  It will be stored in the same area where we park for horse clinic.  The gate is locked on Wednesday evening and is not opened again until Sunday at 5 pm.

What to bring:

• Show fee – check is preferred, we will not have change

• Copy of Coggins test

• Show supplies including helmet and boots

• Fly spray

• Stall supplies (hay bag/net, water buckets, bucket straps, +/- fan)

• Hay and Feed

Fairgrounds:

• During the fair, the grounds are open 6 am until 10 pm.

• If you are planning on parking near the barns, you will need to pay a parking fee each day.

• 4-H participants can pick up their exhibitor entrance wrist bands Tuesday or Wednesday.

• Family members can purchase entrance wristbands on Wednesday.

Stalls:

• It can be nice to set up the stalls prior to the horses arrival.  Stalls can be set up starting Tuesday at 3 pm

• Kids often do a stall poster to put on the door of their stall for their horses

• The fair board provides shavings for the stalls.  They are typically stored in a large trailer by the warm-up arena.  There are wheelbarrows at the fair to transport shavings to the stalls.

• Manure management – because this is a public facing barn it is critical that the stalls are kept clean.  All manure and dirty shaving can be transported with the fair provided wheelbarrows to manure storage area by the warm-up arena.

• Herdmanship – each day the animals and barns are evaluated for cleanliness and we are graded on herdsmanship award.  It takes everyone to do well.

• It is fun to decorate stalls, this is optional but leaves a great impression on the pubic. 

Additional Activities:

• Our top showmanship competitors will be competing in the Showmanship Superstars.  Opportunity for top showmen in each species to test their skills with other animals and compete for the champion title. 

• All species costume class 

• 4-H Ag Olympics - fun interactive competition that involves all horse/livestock/animal 4-H youth

Weather:

• The weather is often hot during the fair.  To help keep the kids hydrated we are asking each family to bring a flat of bottle water to share per youth participant.  We will have coolers available for the water.  This will give the horse project kids access to water at all times

• If the weather is hot, having two water buckets for horses can help ensure they do not run out of water.

• If the weather is hot, having a fan of the stall can help the horses stay cool.

Horse family area:

• We have a stall set aside for water and treats for horse families. 

• To help keep the kids hydrated we are asking each family to bring a flat of bottle water to share per youth participant.  We will have coolers available for the water.  This will give the horse project kids access to water at all times

• If families want to bring snacks to share, the kids and parents always appreciate this

 We need your help:

• We are going to need everyone’s help to ensure a good fair for the kids. 

• Signup will be available at horse clinics & posted on the announcement board

• During the fair, we need volunteer to make the shows go smooth.  Volunteer opportunities include:

• • Evening horse check to ensure all stalls are latched and water buckets are full

  • Morning horse check to ensure all stalls and water buckets are full

  • Gate attendants – open and close the gate to allow riders in and out

  • Arena support - help set up trail and pattern based on judge’s instructions

  • Ring steward – helps the judge

  • Announcer – announces placings and upcoming classes/participants

  • Announcer assistant – organizes entry forms

  • Herdsmanship – a group of two to score herdsmanship for horse stalls