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Home > Youth Exhibitors > Education Requirements & Opportunities - Animals & Shooting Sports > Horse & Pony Department

Horse & Pony Department



Welcome to all new and returning Dane County 4-H Horse & Pony project members and Non-4H Organization Members. Please carefully review the Horse & Pony educational requirements for the 2023-2024 project year.

  • All youth planning to show at the Dane County Fair must complete and meet at least one of the education requirements listed to the right and submit their education card online by June 15, 2024.
  • NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED
  • Contact the Fair Office at info@danecountyfair.com to receive approval for educational opportunities not listed.
    • If attending a pre-approved event not sponsored by the Dane County Horse & Pony Education Committee, the participant must have the clinician sign the education card.
  • Those in grade 13 are exempt from bringing their horse to a 4-H approved clinic, provided they have fulfilled this requirement for the previous three (3) Fair years. Please contact the Fair office at info@danecountyfair.com by June 15 to request the exemption in order to verify Fair involvement.
  • All horses that will be exhibited at the Dane County Fair must be declared by May 1. (The same horse declared must be the same horse used in the clinics.)
  • Dane County Fair entry forms have a separate process. Please refer to the Department 6 Rules & Regulations and times below for additional information related to Fair deadlines and processes.

Non-4-H organization members

  • Those in grade 13 are exempt from bringing their horse to a 4-H approved clinic, provided they have fulfilled this requirement for the previous three (3) Fair years. Please contact the Fair office at info@danecountyfair.com by June 15 to request the exemption in order to verify Fair involvement.
  • Participants must sign the roster for each Dane County Horse & Pony Education Committee event attended.
  • If attending a pre-approved event not sponsored by the Dane County Horse & Pony Education Committee, the participant must have the clinician sign the education card.


Education Card Submission Information

Horse and Pony Education Requirement Card – Complete all sections of the Education Card and save as LastName.FirstName.Species (e.g.,Smith.Chris.Horse) before uploading to the online portal.

How and when to submit education requirements:

  • To qualify to show at the Dane County Fair with 4-H, FFA, or other Dane County youth organization, youth exhibitors must meet species education requirements and submit proof by June 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM by using the Education Requirement Upload Portal - OPENS IN APRIL
  • If showing in more than one species, youth must complete and submit the requirements for each species.
  • Access to a Google Account is required to upload documents in the portal. This helps keep documents secure. Youth can utilize their school account or utilize a family account. If the youth does not have access to a Google Account, please email info@danecountyfair.com for an alternative option.
  • To upload the education card, please save the document as a JPG, TIFF, or PDF. Youth can take a picture of the education card to upload.
Education Requirement Questions?
Email info@danecountyfair.com.



4-H Horse & Pony Education Committee 4-H Horse & Pony Education Committee

4-H and Non-4H education requirements for Horse and Pony and Horseless Horse members to show at the Dane County Fair

All members Grade 3 or higher are required to attend a Dane County 4-H Horse and Pony Education Safety Orientation and at least one session of education at an approved 4-H Horse and Pony in-person clinic prior to showing at the Dane County Fair. Members who have successfully completed a safety orientation in prior years do not need to repeat the training.

  • 2024 4-H Horse & Pony Education Clinics are listed below with more to come soon. These opportunities are free and available for all Horse & Pony Project Members - 4H and Other Youth Groups. All clinics will be held at the Alliant Energy Center, Pavilion #1, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713.
      • See the list of clinics and registration links below.
      • Review the Dane County Horse & Pony Clinic Reminders before attending a clinic.
      • For those attending 4-H Horse and Pony Education Clinics at the Alliant Energy Center, please note that you should enter through the Main Gate off of Rimrock Road and park vehicles and trailers in the South Lot 2 or Southeast parking lot – map. This is a change from years past.
  • Private lessons, farrier appointments, and vet appointments do not count toward the educational requirement.

More education links are available on the Dane County 4-H Horse & Pony Education Committee Facebook group.




2024 Clinics - Information to come

Hunt Clinic
Hunt Clinic
Information & Registration Form to come
Western Clinic
Western Clinic
Information and Registration Form to come.
Trail Clinic
Trail Clinic
Information and Registration Form to come.
Trail Clinic
Trail Clinic
Information and Registration Form to come.


Safety Clinic at 4-H Office

2024 Horse and Pony Safety Clinic In-Person (humans only, no animals)
2024 Horse and Pony Safety Clinic In-Person (humans only, no animals)
Mar 03, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Dane County 4-H Horse & Pony Safety Clinic (humans only, no animals)
Dane Co 4-H/Extension Office, 5201 Fen Oak Dr, Madison

In order to show at the Dane County Fair (grades 3-13) with a live horse, youth must attend this clinic if new to this project


Safety Clinic ONLINE

2024 Horse and Pony Safety Clinic ONLINE
2024 Horse and Pony Safety Clinic ONLINE
If you missed the in-person Safety Clinic, this is an online alternative. In order to show at the Dane County Fair (grades 3-13) with a live horse, youth must attend the in-person clinic OR the online clinic if new to this project.




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