What is the ESE 4-H Dog Program?
            ESE (commonly known as The Big E) is a regional 4-H dog show usually held during the last weekend of September. The show is held in West Springfield, Massachusetts at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds. All participants MUST compete in Ice Breaker Games, Showmanship, Obedience, and take a mandatory quiz. Participants have the opportunity to participate on a quiz bowl team, in a fun agility class and in other game classes (these events may be required by the state or the show committee and participants must compete in them if requested). Participants may either compete with their dog or go as a steward, without a dog. Delegates who bring their dogs must be prepared to leave their dogs in crates in the Mallary Arena overnight while the participants stay in dorms. Stewards must come prepared to work in the rings on Saturday morning and all day Sunday and stay in the dorms at night.                      Participants are chosen to represent their state by their state’s selection process. Maine’s selection process can be found below. Also found below are pictures of Maine’s 2008 Eastern States Exposition Canine Team. More Information about the 2009 ESE Dog Program and links to test and quiz bowl items should be available by February 2009.

Eastern States Exposition Information & Forms:
2009 ESE Dates: October 2 - 4, 2009
2009 Dog Packet
ESE Dog Intent Form - Word   PDF (for printing) - If you intend to try out for ESE Dog Team you must send this to Donna Flint by May 1, 2009. 
2009 ESE Health Form (ALL participants are required to complete this form)
Morris Scholarship
Other Eastern States Dog Resources

Dog Team Qualifications and Requirements

• In order to be able to complete any of the following steps 4-H members must be at least 12 years old and enrolled in the 4-H Dog Project by December 31, 2008.

• 4-H Members wanting to try out must send an ESE Intent Form by May 1, 2009 to Donna Flint. No exceptions!

• 4-H Members wanting to try out for ESE must participate in BOTH Maine 4-H Days Dog Camp AND the Bangor State Fair 4-H Dog Show because of the educational benefits that both events provide.

• Members wanting to try out must take AND pass an open book quiz and possibly a closed book quiz. A passing open book quiz score is an 80 or better and is required. If a closed book quiz is given, a passing score of a 70 or better is needed. More information about the quizzes will be given once an intent form has been received by the dog representative.

Previous ESE Qualifying Quizzes:
2004: Web Version Word PDF (for printing)
2005: Web Version Word PDF (for printing)

Eastern States Poster Contest:
            You don't have to attend ESE to be part of it!  Complete a poster about your dog project and send it down with a 4-H dog project representative.  Your poster will be judged along with the rest of the posters at ESE.  All posters receive a ribbon which the representative will bring back with them.  Here are the rules to follow to enter the poster contest Online Version Word PDF (for printing). ESE Canine Team members are required to create one of these posters, as it increases the participants overall score

Opening Ceremonies


Novice B Obedience

Some Awards Received by Maine 4-Hers

Steward Showmanship

For more information on educational programs in your area, contact your county Extension office.