Hippology Contest

• Stimulate learning in equine science and the agricultural industry
• Have youth develop positive interests and attitudes about equine science and related careers
• Have youth gain a base of knowledge of equine science projects
• Have youth utilize skills and abilities to solve everyday situations
• Reward 4-H members for knowledge gained in a subject matter area
• Provide a competitive setting in which attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail
• Allow participants to process information, analyze complex problems and make informed decisions regarding current agricultural, environmental, equine science and equine industry issues
• Develop teamwork, self-confidence, public speaking and decision-making skills
• Have participants seek out higher education opportunities and careers related to equine science

• Senior division must be 14 to18 years old on Dec. 31.
• Intermediate division are ages 11 to 13 on Dec. 31.
• Junior division is for members 8 years of age before Sept. 1, to age 10.
• If a junior wants to move up to the intermediate division or a beginner hippology participant who is an intermediate would like to move down to a junior division, this is permitted.

• Contestants must be enrolled in North Dakota 4-H (4hOnline) as a full-time member in the county they represent for the state 4-H contest. Short-term 4-H members are not eligible to compete at the state level.
  
• 4-H teams will consist of three or four participants in the same age division.
  
• Youth may enter as individuals or as a team member. All participants are eligible for individual awards.
  
• Each team will consist of three or four participants from the same county. Counties may combine to form a team, provided neither county has more than two participants. Combination teams must preregister together. A team of three may not pick up a fourth member from another county.
  • Both counties and coaches from the different teams must approve combining of individuals for a team.
    
• North Dakota counties are invited to enter as many teams as desired. On teams consisting of four members, all will compete; however, the lowest score in each phase will be dropped. For those teams consisting of three members, all members' scores will count in determining individual and team awards.
  
• Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable accommodations to participate in NDSU sponsored programs and events. To request accommodations, please contact Samantha Lahman at 701-231-6658 or samantha.lahman@ndsu.edu by the MONDAY before he contest to make arrangements.
  
• 4-H members are not eligible for the state 4-H contest if:
  • They have participated in a previous national 4-H hippology contest
  • They have participated in official post-secondary (university, college, junior college or technical school) competitive events of a similar nature in the same subject matter area. Neither can they be a member of a post-secondary team undergoing training in
    preparation of an event.

Participants shall follow the 4-H dress code: 4-H members must be dressed neatly and wear a solid white, yellow, gray or green shirt with the 4-H emblem on the front. County names or other affiliation should not be worn at the state contest to avoid bias. The clover may be imprinted, screened or attached with an adhesive (if clovers are pinned to the shirt, use multiple pins and place pins discreetly underneath the chevron). Failure to comply will result in the deduction of 25 points from the individual or team score. 4-H members are asked to stay in official dress until completion of awards.

4-H Western National Roundup rules will apply. Local managers may modify rules and procedures as
needed to conduct the event in the allowed time.

• No electronic devices (phones, tablets, computers, etc.) will be allowed during the contest.
• Scantrons will be used for the entire contest, including testing, judging and station questions.
  • Scantrons will be collected during the team problem for seniors to avoid cheating and/or changing/conferring of answers.
• Contestants must bring their own No. 2 pencils, clipboards or judging books.
• Judging score sheets and rulebooks are allowed during the horse judging phase of the contest. No other material is allowed during the examination, station or team problem phases.
• Each team of juniors and intermediates will receive one scantron for their team to fill out and hand in.
• Each individual senior will receive one scantron for their total scores to be combined for their overall team score.
• The team/individual is responsible for ensuring their scantron is filled out properly. This includes:
  • Making sure erased bubbles on the scantron are erased well so the scanner does not pick up a double-marked answer.
  • Filling in scantron bubbles neatly and dark enough for the scanner to read the bubble correctly.
  • Making sure to double-check scantrons before they are handed in. Once they are handed in, they will not be returned for any reason. Scantrons will not be evaluated or checked for inaccuracy do to the error of the contestant.

Examination Phase - approximately 100 points. This phase of the contest may include but is not limited to:

• Written exam (50 questions)
• Projected slides to be identified as to breed, color, color pattern, activity, proper appointments, etc.
• Anatomy, which may include external, skeleton, internal organs, parts of gastrointestinal tract, male and female reproductive organs, detailed anatomy of the foot and detailed lower limbs
• Health, disease, nutrition and/or feed related topics

Station Phase - approximately 100 points (five to 10 stations). This phase will consist of a series of stations or tables where all contestants will respond to the requirements of the station. Stations may include pictures from popular media sources; however, the content within the stations will be taken from the approved sources listed below. Members will be allowed two minutes at each station. Stations may include but are not limited to:

• Examples of topics include:
  • Various types of saddles (actual or pictures) and parts of saddles
  • Tack, bits, bridles, horseshoes and parts of shoes
• Tools and equipment, and assembly of specific parts of various pieces of equipment; grains and forages used in equine rations, including various forms of methods of preparation.
• Internal and external parasites based on actual samples, pictures, life cycle charts and/or damage caused
  • Blemishes and unsoundnesses
  • Age of equines based on teeth
  • Nutrition and health
  • Genetics
  • Reproduction
• Use of pulse rate, respiration rate, temperature, dehydration, anemia, etc., to assess horse health
• Measurements such as, but not limited to, wither height, shoe size, girth, collar size, gullet width, seat length of saddle may be required

Judging Phase - approximately 100 to 200 points (a contest may or may not include a judging phase).

Contestants may be required to place at least four classes consisting of two halter classes and two performance classes. A contest may only have one class of four horses, depending on the location of the contest and availability of resources. Every effort will be made to use the same horses as are being used in the judging contest, with the placing to be simultaneous with contestants in the judging contest, with the same official placings and cuts as apply to the judging contest. Pictorial, video and/or online/DVD classes may be used, in which case they would be especially prepared for the event.

• Oral reasons will not be a part of the hippology contest. If a performance class is included, it will be one of the following: Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Ranch Riding (Ranch Horse Pleasure), Trail, or Hunt Seat Equitation.
• Should a DVD or online source be used, all individuals will be treated the same with no replays unless a glitch occurs in the DVD/online streaming. A pause between contestants will be allowed for note taking. Should pictures be used, a maximum of five minutes will be given to make a judging decision on provided pictures. If the contest allows, pictures may be placed on the same tables where the exam is being taken for contestants to judge their classes upon completion of their exam.

Team Problems - approximately 100 points. All teams will be presented with the same problem(s). Each team will have equal time (10 minutes) to discuss among themselves the problem, immediately after which they will have five minutes to present an oral solution or series of suggested procedures relative to the problem. Each member of each team is encouraged to contribute to the oral presentation. Evaluation will be based on the understanding of the problem, completeness of the response, the probability of success of the solution or procedures and the logic used in making the oral response. The official may ask questions of any or all of the team members to clarify the presentation.

• Examples of the possible team problems are:
  • Balancing a horse's ration\
  • Farm management recommendations for specific horse operations (breeding, training, boarding, nursery, lay-up, etc.)
  • Considerations for the establishment of a new horse facility (stable to be used for a specific purpose)
  • Recommendations for selecting, locating and purchasing horses for specific uses
  • Behavior problems - causes, management of and corrections
  • Training and conditioning programs - equipment, schedules, methods, nutrition, problem avoidance
  • Breeding and/or leasing contracts - specific clauses for insurance, liability, payments, care, termination, transport, etc.
  • Teaching lessons in horse management (specific subject to be announced) to a group of 9- to 11-year-old beginner 4-H’ers: where, how long, how much information, hands-on experience, reinforcement, testing evaluation, etc. will be considered
  • Explanation of use or assembly of specific equipment
  • Demonstrate skill or ability to use specific equipment
• Team problem scores will not be included in determining the rank of individuals in the contest but will be added to the team scores of the other three phases to determine overall team standings.

The schedule for rotation and exact time will be determined by management, based on the number of registrations. Each section of the contest will be provided at least 20 minutes for completion.

Tie Breaking
All ties overall, individual and team, will be broken using the following sequence:

1. Team score (for team ties only)
2. Examination scores overall
3. Station scores overall
4. Judging scores overall
5. Station scores starting with station one

Ties within any phase are to be broken using the overall score first and then the same sequence as above.
If further tie breaking is needed, the scores at each station, in order, may be used.

• Awards will be presented to the top three teams in each division (junior/intermediate/senior) and at least the top 10 individuals in the senior division.
• Awards will be presented to the top five individuals for the senior division and top two junior and intermediate teams in the examination phase, station phase, judging phase and overall.

Results

Results will be posted on www.judgingcard.com under the contest name.

• Individuals competing in the hippology contest should come prepared with a No. 2 pencil for all phases of the contest.
  • Scranton forms will be utilized for the contest.
• Individuals should have a notebook for the judging portion of the contest.

Moderator: The moderator assumes complete direction of the contest, calls gaits during the horse judging phase, accepts or rejects all answers as guided by the judge(s), and may seek interpretation of questions and answers from the judges or contestants. The moderator should be knowledgeable in equine science and in hippology procedures, guidelines and regulations.

Judge: A judge can be anyone with a strong background in horse judging for the horse judging portion of the contest and anyone with a strong background in equine knowledge and industry for judging the team problem phase of the hippology contest. The judge will accept or reject any question and/or answer and have the option of explaining the answer. The judge(s) may ask for clarification from a contestant. When possible, at least two judges should be used for horse judging; if available, three should be used. One judge for each division in team problems is necessary.

Timekeeper: Six or more timekeepers will be needed. The timekeepers will monitor elapsed time for each timed rotation of stations (one for each division) and another timer will be needed to time preparation and delivery for the team problem phase (10-minute preparation and five-minute oral delivery to the judge; one for each division. Timekeepers will indicate to the moderator/judges when time has expired.

Tabulation: Those helping with tabulation are helping collect judging cards or scantrons when necessary and sorting junior, intermediate and senior cards/scantrons when needed. They also look to ensure scantrons are filled out appropriately and bubbles are dark or erased clearly as necessary.

Station Monitor: This person helps ensure participants are respectful of stations. If stations need an item replaced in a certain place, they are fixed prior to the next rotation so each rotation starts exactly
the same. The monitor also ensures seniors are not conversing with each other during the contest. Only juniors and intermediates are allowed to work as a team during the stations. In addition, monitors ensure that no outside individuals other than the contestants are in the station area during the contest. Contests need monitors for each division (junior/intermediate/senior).

Hall monitor: They keep traffic moving between each portion of the hippology contest, directing participants to their next rotation. Contests need several of these volunteers to help guide participants and answer possible questions (junior/intermediate/senior).

All the information covered in this contest may be found in one or more of the following publications: IDET - Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms - New Horizons Equine Education Center
Alpine Publications
P.O. Box 7027
Loveland, CO 80537
Phone: 800-777-7257

Evans - The Horse - Evans, Borton, Hintz and Van Vleck. Second Edition. W.H. Freeman and Co.
660 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: 415-391-5870

Lewis - Feeding and Care of the Horse - Lon Lewis Williams and Wilkins. Second Edition.
351 W. Camden St.
Baltimore, MD 21201-2436
Phone: 800-638-0672

HIH - Horse Industry Handbooks and updates - American Youth Horse Council
1 Gainer Road
McDonald, NM 88262
Email: info@ayhc.com
Phone: 817-320-2005
Web: https://www.ayhc.com/shop

HS - Horse Smarts - American Youth Horse Council
1 Gainer Road
McDonald, NM 88262
Email: info@ayhc.com
Phone: 817-320-2005
Web: https://www.ayhc.com/shop

AQHA - AQHA Rulebook: 2018, 66th edition
http://aqha.com/handbook

Parker - Equine Science – Rick Parker. Fourth edition. ISBN-13: 9781111138776;
Published January 2012

Grains, forages and feed preparations used in this contest will be representative of feeds utilized in horse rations.

The Horse Laboratory Kit and the NDSU Hippology trunk can be checked out from the state office for studying purposes.

To order your own Horse Laboratory Kit from Ohio State University, go to https://ohio4h.org/books-and-resources/learning-labkits.

ONLINE practice:
American Paint Horse Association – HorseIQ

• APHA members, $6.99 per month
• Non-APHA members, $9.99 per month

Designed for anyone who wants to learn more about how horse show classes are judged and how to improve their
own performances based on judging standards, Horse IQ is perfect for exhibitors of all ages, trainers, parents,
judges, competitive horse judging teams and more.

Joining Horse IQ is easy and gives you on-demand access to hundreds of video clips and judging criteria at the click
of a button. Subscription fees start at $6.99 per month for APHA members or $9.99 per month for nonmembers.

American Quarter Horse University
The American Quarter Horse University is the place where that community comes to life online with the resources,
tools and educational opportunities you need to elevate the relationship you share with your horses. The
American Quarter Horse University has something for everyone. Your courses are available at any time from any
location with internet. You can reference materials as often as needed and tackle the course at your own pace. Each
educational class is $250.

Judging101.com – $45/year

DVD Practice

• University of Florida – Contact Saundra TenBroeck: sht@ufl.edu
• 2012 AQHA World Championship Horse Judging Contest DVD - $30
• Kansas State University DVDs
  • Judging Hunter Hack - $27.95
  • Judging Trail DVD - $27.95
  • Oral Reasons - $23
• HorseShowPatterns.com
  • Conformation – Part I - $32.50
  • Horse Show Pattern Judging Part I - $27.50
  • Horse Show Pattern Judging Part II - $27.50
  • Western Riding and Trail – Part II
  • Showmanship, Western Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation – Part I
• National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association (NHJTCA)
  • Contact Aaron Callahan at Black Hawk College, callahana@bhc.edu
• 2012 World Show - $50 (same as the University of Florida DVD; we produced this)
  • 2010 World show - $50 *new*
  • 2008 World Show - $50
  • 2007 World Show (halter only) - $20
  • 2006 AJPHA Contest - $40
  • 2006 World Show - $40
  • 2005 World Show (halter only) - $20
  • 2004 World Show - $40
  • 2002 World Show - $40
• Oklahoma State University Oral Reasons
  • Developing Oral Reasons - $60 - Steven.Cooper@okstate.edu
• Julie Wolf Voge - Judging101@yahoo.com
  • Julie is John Wolf’s daughter and has lots of other DVDs available for practice.

Available at:https://4-h.org/parents/curriculum/horse/ NDSU horse projects sheet will guide you to other resources that are available:

Horse Curriculum
GBH151 Giddy Up and Go
GBH152 Head, Heart and Hooves
GNH153 Stable Relationships
GBH154 Riding the Range
GBH155 Jumping to New Heights
GBH156 Green Horse
GBH245 Horse Helper’s Guide
GBH092 North Dakota Horse Show Rules and Judging Guide

Breeds of horses - www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses

Team problems may come from current events in the equine industry. Study major issues that have affected the equine industry in many ways, such as animal diseases, wild horse issues, horse slaughter, environmental issues and regulatory changes. The following online resources will be used to develop these questions:

TheHorse.com - www.thehorse.com
HorseChannel.com - www.horsechannel.com
ScienceDaily.com - www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/horses
CNN Equestrian News - www.cnn.com/sport/equestrian
Horse Science News - www.horsesciencenews.com