LaPorte County Horse & Pony

This year's Horse Camp will take place from May 1 to May 3, 2026!

It is open to all 1st and 2nd-year Horse and Pony members and offers a fantastic opportunity for new participants to bond with their horse or pony while making new friends. The weekend will include riding time, halter time, games, and plenty of fun!

For any questions, please contact Jaime Cipares & Jen Schweizer. Sign ups are due April 21, 2026.

Additionally, if you'd like to be a Junior Leader and assist campers throughout the weekend, you must also sign up by April 21, 2026.

To be eligible for a High Point, club member must FULLY complete the Participation Sheet and have it turned in by June 17, 2025. Club members will be eligible for ONE High Point Award with ONE horse/pony during fair week.

All club members will select which High Point Award they wish to compete for at the time of fair check-in.

If you bring multiple horses/ponies, you must select which ONE horse/pony will be your High Point animal to compete with.

Members will NOT be allowed to change their selection once classes begin on the first day of fair.

Members DO NOT have to compete in all eligible classes to qualify for High Point.

If you do not make a High Point selection, you will not be eligible to receive a High Point Award.

Members will be either in Western Pleasure and Western Bareback OR Ranch Pleasure and Ranch Bareback. Members will not be eligible for both.

HIGH POINT AWARDS & QUALIFYING CLASSES

Revised 11/2024

Please note that along with all the required vaccinations, in LaPorte County it is required that your horse/pony gets the Strangles vaccination. Make sure your vet initials next to the Strangles vaccination that it was given.

You can view and download the 2026 Vaccination Form here.

The LaPorte County 4-H Horse and Pony Club participates in a variety of activities throughout the year, such as community projects, Club activities and the Annual LaPorte County Fair.

At the LaPorte County Fair, the Club offers 140 classes for over 130 members and their 150 horses to compete in. The Club has expenses associated with putting on the 4-H Horse and Pony events during the LaPorte County Fair. Those expenses include member awards, class trophies, judges fees, scholarships, etc.

The Club would like your support to assist in covering those expenses in addition to their Club dues and fundraising efforts. Your donation would help offset our Club expenses. In return, we will list you and/or your organization as a sponsor of the 4-H Club during the LaPorte County Fair and on the Club shirts.

Sponsorship levels for 2026 are:

• Platinum - $500
• Gold - $250
• Silver - $125
• Bronze - $75
• Trophy Sponsor - $25

All sponsorships are due May 19, 2026.

Please know that only approved 4-H sponsor signs will be allowed to be posted during fair week.

Thank you for your generous support.

If you need to pay your annual dues, sponsor a trophy, or want to do a sponsorship to the club please click here.

Annual dues are $30 per member and can be paid at the monthly meetings, mailed to extension office or paid online.

Trophy sponsorships are available for the 2026 fair and are $30 each. Please use the above link to see what trophies are still available to sponsor for 2026.

If you have any issues please reach out to Libby Wilson and she can assist you.

2026 Fair Class schedule

JUDGING TIME: Saturday thru Saturday of Fair (See Following Pages)

RELEASE TIME: Saturday July 18th, 2026 – Time TBD

(Read General Information)

GENERAL RULES:

1. Members encourages to attend the county monthly meetings held each month on the 3rd Tuesday of each month except July, August, September.

October starts the 4-H year.

2. Five year members and under are encouraged to attend 4 clinics each year

3. Members are encouraged to give a demonstration.

4. Members must pay dues to the Club Treasurer.

5. All E-Z Rider members shall be enrolled in 4-H of La Porte County only.

6. Record Books are to be turned into Senior Adult Leaders before the fair.

7. Project enrollment required for the project year and Horse/Pony enrollment forms are due by May 15th of the project year.

8. All horses and ponies must be on the grounds prior to fair classes beginning.

9. Each member is limited to one entry per class.

10. All animals must conform to health regulations and vaccinations. All horses and ponies must be vaccinated for Tetanus, Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, Rabies and Strangles by June 1st. (See Livestock Health Rules in the front of this book).

11. In order to show, parent/guardian and child must acknowledge the Behavior Consent through 4-H Online.

12. Members are encouraged to help at one work session at the fairgrounds.

13. Proper attire must be worn in all classes.

14. Boots must be worn whenever handling your horse or pony. Long pants required when riding your horse or pony.

15. Schedule may be subject to change due to weather conditions and/or other mitigating circumstances.

16. Animals 56" & under are considered ponies and those 56" and over are

considered horses.

17. See Horse & Pony Policy Manual for further details and rules.

18. Attire

A. Western Attire

Attire must be clean and neat. The exhibitor is to wear Western type long pants, a Western-style, long-sleeved, collared shirt and Western boots. A Western style hat may only be worn in Halter & Showmanship at Halter Classes.

B. English Attire

Attire shall be neat and clean. The exhibitor is to wear English style long pants, a long-sleeved shirt or blouse (except when wearing a jacket) and an approved hat. Whip/crop optional.

C. Protective Head Gear

ALL 4-H MEMBERS are required to wear a properly fitted ASTM or SEI standard F1163 (or above) certified helmet whenever mounted or driving at a 4-H Horse & Pony event, show, or activity. The 4-H member is responsible to see that this specified headgear is properly fitted with the approved harness fastened in place whenever mounted. Original tags must be present in all approved helmets. This

policy will be in effect beginning with the 2003 program year and applies to all county, area, and state 4-H Horse & Pony events, shows and activities.

ATTENTION!! – PROTECTIVE HEAD GEAR WILL NOT BE PROVIDED.

THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE 4-H MEMBER.

D. All riders must wear Western style or English Style riding boots when riding or handling your horse in the show or make-up arena. No Exceptions.

E. No giving rides to non-4-H members will be permitted.

F. Only 4-H E-Z Riders may ride or drive enrolled horses during Fair Week.

18. Age Brackets

JUNIOR RIDER – 3rd, 4th, 5th Graders

INTERMEDIATE RIDER - 6th, 7th, 8th Graders SENIOR RIDER – 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Graders

21. Any disrespect shown to a judge or show official will disqualify member from further competition and result in loss of premiums and awards and may result in dismissal from fairgrounds.

22. Once the gate is open you have 2 minutes to report for your class. It is your responsibility to notify the Office of any tack changes prior to your class. There will be no exceptions.

23. Performance classes with 24 or more entries may be split at judge(s) and/or the Committee discretion.

24. Stall grading will be at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day.

25. 4-H members are to maintain a clean environment for their animals on a daily basis (in all barns). The Committee members of each species will make an attempt to encourage 4-H members to clean their pens. If three (3) unsuccessful attempts are made to have the 4-H member (or family member) clean their pens, they will be asked to remove their animals from the barn and sent home.

26. Stall decorations and the Meet My Horse Contest will be judged no earlier than Wednesday of fair week.

27. No exhibitors are allowed to stay in the barns overnight.

SATURDAY, JULY 11th, 2026 – Classes not to start before 11:00am, Trail Classes will begin at Grandstand Arena.

WALK/TROT TRAIL

1. Walk/Trot Trail - All Ages, Any Size Animal

Any member showing in Walk/Trot class cannot show in any canter/lope classes.

JUNIOR TRAIL 3rd, 4th, 5th Grades

2. Ponies 56" & Under

3. Horses Over 56”

INTERMEDIATE TRAIL 6th, 7th, 8th Grades

4. Ponies 56" & Under

5. Horses Over 56”

SENIOR TRAIL 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades

6. Ponies 56" & Under

7. Horses Over 56”

SUNDAY, JULY 12th, 2026 - 9:00 A.M.

RANCH HORSE PLEASURE- ANY SIZE ANIMAL

8. Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

9. Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

10. Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

11. Walk/Trot - Any Age, Any Size Animal

Any member showing in Walk/Trot class cannot show in any canter/lope classes

RANCH HORSE BAREBACK PLEASURE- ANY SIZE ANIMAL

12. Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

13. Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

14. Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

RANCH HORSE PATTERN CLASS – ANY SIZE ANIMAL

15. Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

16. Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

17. Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

NOTE: If you compete in Ranch Pleasure and/or Ranch Bareback Pleasure classes, you cannot compete in Western Pleasure or Bareback Pleasure with the same horse.

HORSELESS HORSE CLASSES WILL BE HELD FOLLOWING CLASS #17

DRILL TEAM PERFORMANCE AFTER HORSELESS HORSE CLASSES

MONDAY, JULY 13th, 2026 - 9:00 A.M.

Mares will be judged in Arena A / Geldings will be judged in Arena B

ARENA A:

HALTER MARES 56’’ & UNDER (REGISTERED & NON-REGISTERED

18. Mares 10 Years & Under - Height under 56"

19. Mares 11 Years & Older - Height under 56"

HALTER MARES OVER 56’’ (NON-REGISTERED)

20. Mares 5 Years & Under

21. Mares 6-10 Years

22. Mares 11-15 Years

23. Mares 16 Years & Older

HALTER MARES OVER 56’’ (ALL REGISTERED)

24. Mares 5 Years & Under

25. Mares 6 -10 Years

26. Mares 11-15 Years

27. Mares 16 Years Old & Older

ARENA B:

HALTER GELDINGS 56’’ & UNDER (REGISTERED & NON-REGISTERED)

28. Geldings 10 Years & Under - Height under 56''

29. Geldings 11 Years & Older - Height under 56''

HALTER GELDINGS OVER 56” (NON-REGISTERED)

30. Geldings 5 Years & Under

31. Geldings 6-10 Years

32. Geldings 11-15 Years

33. Geldings 16 Years & Older

HALTER GELDINGS OVER 56” (ALL REGISTERED)

34. Geldings 5 Years and Under

35. Geldings 6 -10 Years

36. Geldings 11-15 Years

37. Geldings 16 Years Old &Older

JUNIOR WESTERN SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER (ANY SIZE ANIMAL )

38. Juniors in 5th Grade

39. Juniors in 4th Grade

40. Juniors in 3th Grade

INTERMEDIATE WESTERN SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER (ANY SIZE ANIMAL)

41. Intermediate in 8th Grade

42. Intermediate in 7th Grade

43. Intermediate in 6th Grade

SENIOR WESTERN SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER (ANY SIZE ANIMAL)

44. Seniors in 12th Grade

45. Seniors in 11th Grade

46. Seniors in 10th Grade

47. Seniors in 9th Grade

ENGLISH SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER- ANY SIZE ANIMAL

48. Junior Exhibitor (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

49. Intermediate Exhibitor (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

50. Senior Exhibitor ( 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

HUNTER IN HAND

51. Hunter In Hand - All Ages, Any Size Animal

SUPREME SHOWMANSHIP

52. Supreme Showmanship:

Open to any Senior Exhibitor (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) interested in participating in the Supreme Showmanship Competition

Attire: Members may wear Western or English showattire

MONDAY EVENING: Not before 5:00pm

SAFE TO JUMP SESSION: Any member who wants to enter a Jumping Class on Tuesday will need to ride in the 'Safe To Jump Session'. During this session, you will be provided the height level you and your horse/pony will be eligible to safely jump.

TUESDAY, JULY 14th, 2026 9:00AM

ENGLISH PLEASURE

53. Ponies 56" & Under – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

54. Ponies 56" & Under - Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

55. Ponies 56" & Under – Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

56. Horses Over 56”- Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

57. Horses Over 56”- Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

58. Horses Over 56”- Senior Riders (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

59. Walk/Trot - Any Age, Any Size Animal

Any member showing in Walk/Trot class cannot show in any canter/lope classes

ENGLISH EQUITATION

60. Ponies 56"& Under – Junior Rider (3th, 4th, 5th Grades)

61. Ponies 56"& Under – Intermediate Rider (6th,7th, 8th Grades)

62. Ponies 56"& Under - Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

63. Horses Over 56”- Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

64. Horses Over 56”- Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

65. Horses Over 56”- Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

ENGLISH BAREBACK – ANY SIZE ANIMAL

66. Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

67. Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

68. Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

HUNTER HACK

Read State Handbook for State Fair Requirements

RIDER CAN ONLY EXHIBIT IN ONE CLASS HEIGHT

69. Ponies 56"& Under – ANY AGE RIDER

Maximum Jump Height Cross Rails

70. Horses Over 56” – ANY AGE RIDER

Maximum Jump Height Cross Rails

71. Ponies 56"& Under – ANY AGE RIDER

Maximum Jump Height 2’

72. Horses Over 56” – ANY AGE RIDER

Maximum Jump Height 2’

HUNTER OVER FENCES

Jumps at STATE FAIR will be 2’, 2’6’ & 3’ depending on the division

RIDER CAN ONLY EXHIBIT IN ONE CLASS HEIGHT

73. Ponies 56" & Under – Any Age rider

Maximum Jump Height CROSS RAILS"

74. Horses Over 56”– Any Age rider

Maximum Jump Height CROSS RAILS

75. Ponies 56" & Under – Any age rider

Maximum Jump Height 2’

76. Horses Over 56”– All age rider

Maximum Jump Height 2’

77. Ponies 56" & Under – All age rider

Maximum Jump Height 2’3”

78. Horses Over 56”– All age rider

Maximum Jump Height 2’3”

HUNT SEAT EQUITATION OVER FENCES

RIDER CAN ONLY EXHIBIT IN ONE CLASS HEIGHT

79. Any Size Animal – Any Age Rider

Maximum Jump Height – CROSS RAILS

80. Any Size Animal – Any age Rider

Maximum Jump Height – 2’

81. Any Size Animal – Any Age Rider

Maximum Jump Height – 2’3”

DRESSAGE – ANY SIZE ANIMAL

82. Junior- Walk-Trot

83. Intermediate- Walk- Trot

84. Senior - Walk-Trot-Canter

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15th, 2026 - 9:00 A.M.

WESTERN PLEASURE

85. Ponies Under 56” – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

86. Ponies Under 56’ - Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

87. Ponies Under 56” – Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

88. Horses Over 56”- Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

89. Horses Over 56”- Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

90. Horses Over 56”- Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

91. WALK/TROT- All Ages, Any Size Animal

Any member showing in Walk/Trot class cannot show in any canter/lope classes

WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP

92. Walk/Trot Horsemanship - All Ages, Any Size Animal

Any member showing in Walk/Trot class cannot show in any canter/lope classes

93. Ponies 56" & Under –Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

94. Ponies 56" & Under - Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

95. Ponies 56" & Under – Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

96. Horses Over 56”- Junior Rider in (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

97. Horses Over 56”- Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

98. Horses Over 56”- Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

BAREBACK PLEASURE

99. Ponies 56" & Under – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

100. Ponies 56" &Under - Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

101. Ponies 56" & Under –Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

102. Horses Over 56” – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

103. Horses Over 56” - Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

104. Horses Over 56” - Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

NOTE: If you compete in Western Pleasure and/or Bareback Pleasure classes, you cannot compete in Ranch Pleasure or Ranch Bareback with the same horse.

DRILL TEAM PERFORMANCE AFTER CLASS #100

FREESTYLE WILL FOLLOW DRILL TEAM PERFORMANCE

FREE STYLE RIDING TO MUSIC – ANY SIZE ANIMAL

105. Junior Rider – 3rd, 4th, 5th Grades

106. Intermediate Rider -6th, 7th, 8th Grades

107. Senior Rider – 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades

THURSDAY, JULY 16th, 2026 - 9:00 A.M.

REINING- ANY SIZE ANIMAL

108. Junior Division (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

109. Intermediate Division (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

110. Senior Division (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

SPEED & ACTION

111. Ponies 56" & Under – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

112. Ponies 56" & Under - Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

113. Ponies 56" & Under – Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

114. Horses Over 56”– Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

115. Horses Over 56”– Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

116. Horses Over 56” - Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

VERSATILITY- ANY SIZE ANIMAL

117. Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

118. Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

119. Senior Rider (9th, 10th Grades)

120 Senior Rider (11th, 12th, Grades)

NOTE: Judge's decision whether ALL judged events for ALL classes will run first with the ‘Contesting’ portion of all classes running together after the judged events.

SUPREME SHOWMAN CONTEST

“ HORSE SHOWING SECTION” HELD IN HORSE & PONY ARENA IN THE EVENING. (INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

FRIDAY, JULY 17th, 2026 – 9:00 A.M.

CLOVERLEAF BARREL RACE

121. Ponies 56" & Under – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

122. Ponies 56" & Under – Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

123. Ponies 56" & Under - Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

124. Horses Over 56”– Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

125. Horses Over 56”- Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

126. Horses Over 56”–Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

FLAG RACE

127. Ponies 56" & Under – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

128. Ponies 56" & Under – Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

129. Ponies 56" & Under - Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

130. Horses Over 56” - Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

131. Horses Over 56”– Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

132. Horses Over 56”- Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

POLE BENDING

133. Ponies 56" & Under – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

134. Ponies 56" & Under – Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

135. Ponies 56" & Under -Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

136. Horses Over 56” – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

137. Horses Over 56” - Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

138. Horses Over 56” –Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

FRIDAY EVENING: BATTLE OF THE BARNS

SATURDAY, JULY 18th, 2026 - 8:00 A.M.

STAKE RACE

139. Ponies 56" & Under – Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

140. Ponies 56" & Under – Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

141. Ponies 56" & Under - Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

142. Horses Over 56”– Junior Rider (3rd, 4th, 5th Grades)

143. Horses Over 56”– Intermediate Rider (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)

144. Horses Over 56” - Senior Rider (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades)

DRILL TEAM PERFORMANCE BEFORE AWARDS PRESENTATION

AWARDS PRESENTATION after Drill Team Performance

Project Release after CLEAN stall check. Stall checks will include any tack stalls and surrounding areas. Release time to be announced.

Classes without sufficient entries & classes with too many entries may be combined/divided at the discretion of 4-H Horse & Pony Committee.

ALL DATES & TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE