To Hartford Fair Horse Project Members on behalf of Alisha Tilley, Hartford Fair Horse Department Chair:
The Hartford Fair is just around the corner, as a Fair Board we are excited to bring our fair family together. Our goal is to provide our exhibitors the opportunity to safely compete and have fun at The Hartford Independent Fair.
Pre-Fair Open Arena Dates:
To provide exhibitors an opportunity to practice at the grounds we will hold open arena dates in July. If you plan to attend, please let your advisor know so that they can send an attendance count to Alisha Tilley so they know how many participants to expect.
Dates and Times:
Saturday, July 9, 2022, 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 6:00 to 9:00pm
Sunday, July 24, 2022, 5:00 to 8:00pm
*$5.00 grounds fee applies per horse/rider at each date payable via cash on day of open ride.
*If there is a cancellation please check The Hartford Fair Facebook page.
We have received many great questions in the last month. Outlined below are common questions we wanted to pass along to help you prepare for the 2022 fair. Many of the answers can be found in the rules section of the entry information please review with your members.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are we allowed to decorate our stalls?
Yes, we encourage clubs to decorate their stalls and the ends of barns. Please keep in mind the rules regarding decorating stalls. We ask no stall decorations to be attached with nails or screws. Additionally, we discourage the use of staples and tape.
Stall decorations and tack boxes are permitted to be placed starting Thursday, August 4th.
Keep in mind you are placing tack boxes and all décor at your own risk. We encourage all exhibitors to safely secure their items with locks etc.
When are Stalled horses moving in?
Those who are choosing to stall will move their horse or pony onto the grounds Saturday, August 6th 6:00am to 2:00pm. At this time, Vet check will be held at the stalls at a time to be announced during the Barn meeting.
When is grading?
Grading will be held for stalled horses immediately following the barn meeting on Saturday. Also, grading will take place each morning 8:00-9:00 for exhibitors choosing to haul-in.
Tack Stalls:
We will again try to provide tack stalls to every club to allow for extra storage of tack and equipment. No hay is to be stored in the barns; it is a fire hazard. Tack stalls are storage areas, there is no selling of animals, show clothes or products during the fair out of tack stalls!
Please keep in mind department rules regarding stall usage to ensure the safety of all exhibitors and animals.
Rule 14:
- No Hanging of any air-chairs, hammocks or swings of any kind in the aisles or from the barn. Tack boxes and equipment should NOT block any aisles in barns.
- No Crock pots, fridges or cooking devices to be plugged in tack stall or aisles.
Exhibitor Packets:
Each exhibitor will receive their back number, patterns, and department rules and schedule after they grade.
Wash rack etiquette:
Please clean up after yourself and your horse when you are done using the wash rack; this includes supplies and manure.
Pop-Up Tents:
Two Pop-Up Tents per 4-H Club permitted. Tents must be located against the fence area and not a safety hazard for exhibitors, spectators or horses. Additionally, tents are not to be used for over night camping and left at owner’s risk.
Haul-In Horses/Ponies:
In 2022 haul-in exhibitors will stall with their club. Advisors, please provide how many haul-in stalls you will need each day by July 17, 2022 to Alisha Tilley. In your email please include your club name with your number of haul-in stalls you will need to rotate horses in and out of during the week.
We realize some haul-in exhibitors may not need/want a stall. Please confirm how many haul-in stalls each day you expect to need for those choosing to stall for the day they are showing. For example you have 12 members in your club, 6 of them are stalling, but you will only have 2 exhibitors hauling in each day. We will designate 2 haul in stalls in your block of stalls for your club. Keep in mind your club will be responsible for sanitizing the stalls between exhibitors.
Our goal is to try to meet each clubs desired per day haul-in stall need. Please keep in mind the exhibitors who have requested a stall are first priority. Also, these stalls are going to be haul-in and out same day, this is not an opportunity to stall a second horse.
Rule 14(c) still applies: Only one horse or pony per exhibitor may be stalled at the fair, No switching of horses.
The haul-in rules still apply, horses or ponies are expected to be off the grounds at the conclusion of the show.
Volunteering:
Advisors received a volunteer sign-up sheet by email for grading, trash clean up and gates. We are going to need extra help each day to clean up and put trash cans out for pick up and pull them back into the complex post pick up. Please reach out to your advisor to sign up for a volunteer shift.
Pee Wee and Fun Show: Volunteers are needed for Friday’s events to happen, we encourage clubs to sign up.
Seniors:
We will maintain our senior wall in the front barn for the 2022 fair. Exhibitors who will be graduating out of 4-H this year are welcome to create poster to be hung on the senior wall. Turn in posters to the announcer’s booth during the barn meeting to be hung by the Senior or Junior Fair Board.
Senior Poster Rules:
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- Signs should be constructed on a half poster board sheet (14”X 22”).
- Please laminate or cover with clear contact paper as they will be outside.
- No wooden, metal, or full poster board size signs permitted to allow for enough space for everyone.
Opening Ceremonies:
We will hold opening ceremony to present the colors, showcase our clubs and send off our graduating seniors. Advisors, If your club or senior club members would like to participate in opening ceremonies, please complete the form that you received via email and return to Alisha by August 1, 2022.
Dash for Cash Open Barrel Show:
If my child would like to participate in the open barrel show, do I need to vacate the stall at the scheduled release time?
No, exhibitors entered in Dash for Cash should advise the senior fair board during the barn meeting if they plan to use their stall. All applicable fees will apply as outline in the Dash for Cash rules and entry information.
Again, thank you for all your hard work with your clubs. Please take time to review with your club all the rules. Please feel free to reach out anytime you may have a question.