Horse

Horse Exhibitors – Read this to prepare for Skillathon!

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It’s hard to believe, but the fair will be here before we know it- and that means Skillathon is right around the corner! If you haven’t done so already, please be sure to schedule an appointment for your Skillathon at this link: http://go.osu.edu/signup4skillathon.

This information was previously emailed to 4-H families enrolled in Horse Projects. Here are some helpful study tips and directions to help you prepare.

A quick reminder:

All Junior Fair Exhibitors must complete both a Skillathon (county or state level) and a 4-H/FFA project record book in order to be eligible to show at the Fairfield County Fair. Project book rubrics are available on our county website for your reference.

This year’s Horse Skillathon will include four stations:

  1. Interview & Project Book Review- A brief conversation about your project and a check of your completed book.
  2. Breeds- Match breed names to their correct images (similar to previous years).
  3. Diseases- New this year! Exhibitors will identify diseases based on written or visual descriptions.
  4. Feeds- Identify various feedstuffs displayed in plastic containers, just like in the past two years.

Skillathon study materials can be found in your Horse Resource Handbook (Beginning Horse Management) (HRH) and are also outlined below:

If you don’t have your species Resource Handbook, a limited number are available for purchase at the Extension Office. Your 4-H/FFA advisor may also have one you can reference.

If you have any questions or need help preparing for Skillathon, please don’t hesitate to reach out! And if you’ve decided to not take your livestock project this year, please let me know as soon as possible.

We are looking forward to seeing all of your hard work and studying pay off!

State 4-H Horse Competitive Trail Ride Results

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Congrats to the following Fairfield County 4-H Horse Members who placed at the State 4-H Competitive Trail Ride.

Bella Champlin and Brianna Downey both competed in the state trail ride last weekend.  Brianna got 5th in horsemanship, Bella got 3rd in conditioning and 5th overall.  By completing the trail ride, these two have also finished the super 8 for the year and will receive special honors at the state horse awards program in January! Congrats!

An exhibitor must complete an in-person Skillathon for each specie they plan to compete for Premier Exhibitor

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An exhibitor must complete an in-person Skillathon for each specie they plan to compete for Premier Exhibitor. If an exhibitor does not participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon for that specie, they will be ineligible for Premier Exhibitor in that specie.

The objective of the Premier Exhibitor Contest is to encourage youth exhibitors to explore multiple aspects of the livestock specie project they are enrolled in, and to reward those youth that participate at the highest level. While some exhibitors may choose to only participate in a single aspect of an animal project, the reality is that all the various opportunities available for any given project are interrelated and participation can enhance the knowledge, skills, and enjoyment gained from the project.

  • Exhibitors will learn that market animals originate from breeding stock.
  • Performance is vital to the profitability of livestock production.
  • Efficient record keeping allows the owner to determine if the project was profitable.
  • Livestock evaluation is the foundation for selecting both breeding and market livestock.
  • Knowing breeds, body parts and muscle names and locations complements one’s ability to evaluate livestock.

It’s all interrelated and encouraging youth to expand their knowledge of their project by participating in a variety of opportunities while also in a competitive environment will enhance the learning experience.

Requirements

  • Exhibitors must be enrolled in a 4-H/FFA project in that species in their respective 4-H Club/FFA Chapter.
  • FairEntry is made in the respective species by August FairEntry deadline.
  • The exhibitor must complete the Fairfield County Skillathon for the species they plan to compete in Premier Exhibitor. Those exhibitors who participate in the alternative Skillathon options will not be eligible for Premier Exhibitor (i.e., Ohio State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathon, Ohio State Fair IN-PERSON Skillathon, and/or Fairfield County Make-Up Skillathon). Project books will be reviewed as part of the county Skillathon event.
  • The exhibitor must complete and turn in their project record book at the species’ scheduled Fairfield County Skillathon to participate in Premier Exhibitor for each respective species. Books will not be accepted on any other date for Premier Exhibitor participants.
  • An exhibitor must complete a Skillathon for each specie they plan to compete for Premier Exhibitor. If an exhibitor does not participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon for that specie, they will be ineligible for Premier Exhibitor in that species.
  • Exhibitors must show their own animal(s).

Eligible Species

  • Dairy Cattle
  • Beef
  • Swine
  • Sheep
  • Dairy Goats
  • Meat/Market Goats
  • Pygmy Goats
  • Poultry
  • Rabbits
  • Dogs
  • Alpacas/Llamas
  • Horses

Scoring

The Premier Exhibitor for each species will be the exhibitor with the highest point total from the activities listed for each specie (dropping the scores as mentioned below).

The goal is to encourage exhibitors to explore various opportunities available to them within their species and allow for lowest scores to be dropped when sufficient experiences can be offered (for example, Beef Exhibitors have far more project opportunities available to them than Pygmy Goats). The objective would be to encourage exhibitors to earn points for exhibiting animals in at least two ways at the Fairfield County Fair in addition to participating in Skillathon, showmanship, rate of gain (if applicable), and judging contests (if applicable). If exhibiting more than one animal in an activity, the highest placing animal will be used for the Premier Exhibitor scoring.

  • Dairy Cattle: The Dairy Cattle Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 6 of the 7 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dairy Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Dairy Judging Contest, and Breeding Class, Market Class, Feeder Class, and Rate of Gain.
  • Beef: The Beef Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 5 of the 8 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Beef Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Beef Judging Contest, Breeding Class, Feeder Class, Market Class, Carcass Class, and Rate of Gain.
  • Swine: The Swine Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Swine Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Swine Judging Contest, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2.
  • Sheep: The Sheep Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 5 of the 6 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Sheep Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Sheep Judging Contest, Breeding Class, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2.
  • Dairy Goats: The Dairy Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dairy Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Animal 1, and Breeding Animal 2.
  • Meat/Market Goats: The Meat/Market Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 5 of the 6Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Meat/Market Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Meat Goat Judging Contest, Breeding (Meat Doe) Class, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2.
  • Pygmy Goats: The Pygmy Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Pygmy Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Wether Class, and Doe Class.
  • Poultry: The Poultry Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Poultry Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Class, Layers Class, and Market Class.
  • Rabbits: The Rabbit Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 of the 6 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Rabbit Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Class 1, Breeding Class 2, Market Class 1, Market Class 2.
  • Dogs: The Dog Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dog Skillathon*, You & Your Dog Interview, Showmanship, Obedience Class, and Agility.
  • Alpacas/Llamas: The Alpaca & Llama Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Alpaca/Llama Skillathon*, Showmanship, Public Relations Class, Trail Pack Class, and Obstacle/Agility Class
  • Horses: The Horse Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Horse Skillathon*, Showmanship, Pleasure Class, Pattern Class, and Contesting Class.

The *Fairfield County Skillathon will be a mandatory activity for participation in the respective species’ Premier Exhibitor Contest. A Skillathon is an activity to test knowledge of specific subject matter in a hands-on experiential learning model. Skillathons will take place on the assigned day and times in September, and this will be the only opportunity for participants to complete the Skillathon for their respective species and be eligible to participate in the respective Premier Exhibitor Contest. Exhibitors will earn corresponding Premier Exhibitor points based off of their raw score (out of 100 points). Skillathons will be comprised of four stations. A completed project book is required at Skillathon.

The Fairfield County Livestock Judging Contest will take place on Sunday of the Fairfield County Fair for swine, beef, sheep, and goats. Exhibitors will earn corresponding Livestock Judging Contest points based off of their raw score. Total points possible will be determined on the day of the contest. The Fairfield County Dairy Judging Contest will take place on Monday of the Fairfield County Fair for dairy cattle.

Rate of Gain will be available to all market beef, dairy steer, and dairy feeder exhibitors.

Breeding/Market/Showmanship/Rate of Gain class/heat points will be assigned according to class rankings (placing 1st through 5th, followed by participation points).

Livestock Sale: If the Premier Exhibitor has a market animal in that respective species, they will sell third in the market sale for that species following the Overall Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Animals. If an exhibitor chooses to take home and earns Premier Exhibitor, they will lose their sale slot. (In that case second place Premier Exhibitor will not move into that sale slot).

Ties: Exhibitors will complete a tiebreaker station at Skillathon for their respective species. Scoring from the tiebreaker station will only be used to help break ties for the overall rankings of each specie’s Premier Exhibitor.

Awards will be given for 1st place winners of each age group (Age 8/9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), from which, overall 1st through 3rd place winners will be chosen for the Premier Exhibitor Program for each specie.

  • 1st Place Awards for each age group (Age 8/9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) will receive a rosette and coupon to be used at the fair for a free sandwich at the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Food Booth.
  • 1st Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $100 cash award.
  • 2nd Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $75 cash award.
  • 3rd Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $50 cash award.

As printed in the 2025 Fairfield County Junior Fair Book.

Fairfield County 4-H Members participate in Ohio 4-H Groom and Clean Contest!

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Congrats to these Fairfield County 4-H Members who participated in the Ohio 4-H Groom & Clean Contest at the Hartford Fairgrounds earlier this month.

Senior team was Hallie Nicodemus, Riley Cain, and Brianna Downey and they placed 9th.

Junior team was Brenna Neff, Ruby Offenberger, and Bella Champlin and they placed 7th.

The primary objective of the Groom & Clean Contest is to provide an opportunity for youth enrolled in a 4-H horse project to demonstrate their knowledge of horses and equine related subject matter (written test), grooming and team work skills (grooming phase) and their showmanship skills (showing phase) in a competitive yet friendly and relaxed setting.

Junior Horse Results from 2025 Ohio State Fair

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Congratulations to these 4-H/FFA members receiving honors at the 2025 Ohio State Fair Junior Horse Show.

  • Class 19 – Easy Gaited Showmanship – Horse/Pony – 9-18 year olds
    • 3rd Place – Addysenn Cygan
  • Class 25 – Easy Gaited Pleasure – 9-18 year olds
    • 2nd Place – Addysenn Cygan
  • Class 26 – Easy Gaited Western Horsemanship, 9-18 year olds
    • 3rd Place – Addysenn Cygan
  • Class 33 Barrels, 9-12 year olds
    • 4th Place – Cali Stevens
  • Class 37 Barrels, 13-15 year olds
    • 7th Place – Maliyah Enright
  • Class 39 Pole Bending, Pony, 9-12 year olds
    • 3rd Place – Cali Stevens
  • Class 46 Ranch Pleasure – Horse/Pony, 9-10 year olds
    • 2nd Place – Tammy Boughan
    • 4th Place – Ruby Offenberger
  • Class 51 Ranch Horsemanship – Horse/Pony, 9-10 year olds
    • 3rd Place – Ruby Offenberger
  • Class 61 Trail in Hand – Horse/Pony, 14-18 year olds
    • 4th Place – Brianna Downey
  • Class 66 Keyhole Race, Pony – 9-12 year olds
    • 3rd Place – Cali Stevens
  • Class 72 Stakes Race, Pony – 9-12 year olds
    • 3rd Place – Cali Stevens
  • Class 88 Western Showmanship – 9-10 year olds
    • 6th Place – Jorie Kemmerer
    • 7th Place – Layla Smith
  • Class 92 Western Showmanship – 17-18 year olds
    • 1st Place – Beau Cutright
  • Class 94 Western Pleasure – 9-10 yeaer olds
    • 4th Place – Jorie Kemmerer
  • Class 98 Western Plealsure – 17-18 year olds
    • 4th Place – Beau Cutright
  • Class 103 Western Horsemanship – 17-18 year olds
    • 6th Place – Beau Cutright
  • Class 118 Hunter Showmanship – 9-10 year olds
    • 4th Place  – Jorie Kemmerer
    • 7th Place – Layla Smith
  • Class 131 Hunter Under Saddle Grand Championship
    • 10th Place – Ashlyn Carter
  • Class 137 Hunter Under Saddle – 9-10 year olds
    • 5th Place – Jorie Kemmerer
  • Class 140 Hunter Under Saddle – 15-16 year olds
    • 2nd Place – Ashlyn Carter

For a complete list of Ohio State Livestock/Horse Results, click here. If you believe we missed listing your Fairfield County 4-H/FFA member on this list, please contact Leslie Cooksey.

Junior Fair Commodity Ambassador/Representative Online Applications Due September 5th

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Continuing this year, all commodity ambassador/representative applications will be on ONE application. There will be one interview date to make selections for each commodity position. Please select and rank your interested commodity positions. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 5th. Click here to access the application. Commodity Ambassador/Representatives we be selected for Alpaca/Llama, Beef, Canine, Caprine, Dairy, Equine, Lamb & Wool, Poultry, Rabbit, and Swine.

The purpose of the Junior Fair Commodity Ambassador/Ambassador Program is:

  • To inform others and promote 4-H/FFA programs while strengthening the species’ image.
  • To encourage specie projects in the 4-H/FFA programs.
  • To improve knowledge and presentation skills.
  • To build a portfolio of excellence for future reference.

Process:

  • Applications must be submitted to the OSU Extension Office by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025.
  • All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee(s), the top three individuals per specie will be selected for an interview by a panel of judges.
  • Applicants will be notified if they will have the opportunity to interview (or not) the week of September 15th. If selected to interview, the applicant will be able to select an available time on our schedule.
  • Interviews will be conducted in person on the evening of Monday, September 22nd from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Check-in at the Ed Sands Building.  
  • The representative(s) will be selected from individuals interviewed and notified via phone following the completion of all interviews and will be publicly introduced at the Junior Fair Panorama during fair week (exception – Lamb and Wool Queen will be announced at the Guy’s and Gals Lead on Wednesday of fair AND Equine will be announced on Sunday of fair).

Requirements:

  • Applicants must be an active 4-H/FFA member and at least 14 years old as of October 1st of the current year.
  • Applicants must have an active project in the relevant specie for the current year and exhibit this project at the 2025 Fairfield County Junior Fair.
  • Representative will be required to attend the Panorama and speak about the specie represented.
  • Representative will assist with award presentations during the Junior Fair shows related to their specie. Representative should present awards in between showing their own animal(s).
  • Representative will assist with Junior Fair Livestock Sales on Thursday and Friday of fair week.
  • Representative must be available to make guest appearances at community functions on behalf of the specie and fair (i.e. parades, festivals, other fairs, and commodity events).
  • Representatives are strongly encouraged to participate in 4-H Day to promote 4-H project work for their specie (1st Saturday of March).
  • Female applicants can also run for Junior Fair Queen (if they meet those requirements). If selected for both, applicant will serve in commodity role on the day of that specie’s show.

Scheduling for Skillathon is OPEN!

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To exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair, all exhibitors must participate in at least one Skillathon.

Who Must Participate: Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Swine, Sheep, Horse, Goat (Pygmy, Dairy, Meat/Market), Alpaca/Llama, Poultry, Rabbit (Market & Breeding) and Dog Exhibitors who are in 4-H or FFA, or both.

In Person Skillathon Dates:

  • Saturday, September 6, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Beef Feeders and Steers, Meat Goats, Sheep & Swine
  • Sunday, September 21, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Rabbits, Poultry, Horses, Alpacas/Llamas, Pygmy & Dairy Goats, Dogs

Additional Information:

  • See page 24 of the 2025 Junior Fair Book for Skillathon rules and alternate participation options if the in-person dates do not work.
  • Premier Exhibitor Participants
    • Must schedule a Skillathon for each species they wish to participate in the Premier Exhibitor Contest for. See page 25 of the Fair Book for details.
    • Additionally, the exhibitor must complete and turn in their project record book at the species’ scheduled Fairfield County Skillathon to participate in Premier Exhibitor for each respective species.
  • Complete the Ohio State Fair Skillathon or Virtual Skillathons? This satisfies the county Skillathon requirement for exhibition; however, if you wish to compete in Premier Exhibitor for any species, you must also take the Fairfield County in-person Skillathon for that species.
  • Even if your Skillathon requirement is complete, project record books must be turned in by September 19, 2025, to fulfill the project book requirement.
  • We still need adult volunteers to help run Skillathons. If available, please email Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Sign-Up Here:http://go.osu.edu/signup4skillathon

Ohio 4-H Horse Judging Contest Results – Congrats to Fairfield County participants!

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Congratulations to Fairfield County 4-H members completing the Ohio 4-H Horse Judging Contest.

Junior Horse Judging <<GREEN>>Team Members – Brenna Neff, Bella Champlin, Ruby Offenberger, Gracie Weber

  • Special TEAM Achievements:
    • 5th Place in Performance Judging
    • 8th Place in Halter Judging
    • 10th Place in Oral Reasons
    • 7th Place OVERALL Junior Team

Junior Horse Judging <<WHITE>>Team Members – Keyton Champlin, Jorie Kemmerer, Jocelyn Patrick

  • Special TEAM Achievements:
    • 10th Place OVERALL Junior Team

Individual Awards:

  • Jorie Kemmerer – 10th Place Halter Judging – Junior Individual
  • Gracie Weber – 10th Place Performance Judging – Junior Individual

Senior Horse Judging Team Members – Hallie Nicodemus, Riley Cain, Brianna Downey. Also serving on this team was Alaina Baughman from Logan County.

  • 7th Place in Halter Judging
  • 8th Place in Performance Judging
  • 9th Place in Oral Reasons
  • 9th Place OVERALL Senior Team

 

2025 Ohio State Fair Horse Skillathon Results

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Congratulations to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA members completing the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon for Horses.

For a complete list of Ohio State Fair Skillathon Results, visit: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-skillathons

2025 Ohio State Fair In-Person Horse Skillathon Results:

  • 8/9 year olds:
    • 5th Place – Ruby Offenberger
    • 8th Place – Keyton Champlin
  • 10 year olds:
    • 7th Place – Jorie Kemmerer
  • 11 year olds:
    • 1st Place – Brenna Neff      (7th OVERALL JUNIOR SKILLATHON WINNER)
    • 19th Place – Bella Champlin
  • 12 year olds:
    • 10th Place – Maria Hertlein
  • 13 year olds:
    • 13th Place – Gracie Weber
  • 14 year olds:
    • 1st Place – Lydia Hertlein
    • 4th Place – Hallie Nicodemus
  • 15 year olds:
    • 3rd Place – Julia Hertlein
  • 16 year olds:
    • 16th Place – Riley Cain
  • 18 year olds:
    • 5th Place – Brianna Downey

All 2025 Ohio 4-H Horse Skillathon Results

Summer Judging Results – Available Online!

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All results from this past week are/will be posted online. Click here for all results.

Congrats to all 4-H members who completed their projects and participated in judging this week! You all did a great job… keep up the great work!

All award winners will be invited to attend Summerfest to receive their awards. Summerfest will be held on Sunday, August 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the Old General Sherman Building. Emailed invitations will be sent to county award winners in a few weeks.