Year 2008  

Maine 4-H ESE
horse TRYOUT Packet

Riders and Drivers 

Tryout dates: June 20, 21, 22, 2008 at Skowhegan Fairgrounds

Packet needs to be POSTMARKED by May 10, 2008

Sent to the Knox-Lincoln County Extension Office.

See details inside. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

4-H Member’s Letter
ESE Team Eligibility & Rules
ESE Application & Score Card
4-H Animal Approval Form
Lease Form
Coggins Test Results
Rabies Certificate & Proof of Vaccinations
ESE Rider Registration Form
ESE Groom Registration Form 
4-H Story and why you would be an asset to the ESE team
4-H Resume
Animal Care Reports
Request for Oral Exam

1^st Chair and Tryouts Chair: 
Kate Slattery
348 Bog Road
Gilead, ME  04217
Phone: 207-836-3217
Cell: no cell phone
E-Mail: slattery@megalink.net

2^nd Chair:
Tina Hogan
P O Box 665
Berwick, ME 03901
Phone: 207-247-6521
Cell: 207-252-0430
E-Mail: tina.hogan@navy.mil

Eastern States Exposition Chair
Karen Snyder
425 Weeks Mills Rd
New Sharon, ME 04955
Phone: 778-2234
Cell: 491-4653
E-Mail: stoneyacres@verizon.net

Dear 4-H Horse Project Member, 

            Welcome to the 2008 Maine 4-H Eastern States Exposition Equestrian Team Tryout! We are glad you are trying out this year! Please note that you may download this and add lines if you need more space to write in.

Whether you are attending for the first time or you are a veteran, you will need to read this packet very carefully!  Please read the entire record before you begin to fill it out.  If you have any questions, contact your County Extension Office or the Horse Committee Chairs, names and contact information on preceding page, for answers.

New this year, we will be including drivers. There will be 2 classes offered to these drivers as part of their equitation classes, on  the rail and a pattern class. All horses will be judged in Fitting and Showmanship.

Tryouts will be held at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds in Skowhegan, Maine, June 20, 21, and 22.  All participants will be expected to arrive no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20^nd.  The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. with orientation. NO arrivals before 4:00pm on Friday. This year we will be requiring a cash $10.00 stall fee in order to recoup some of the cost of the ESE tryouts.  There are some scholarships available, contact Kate Slattery for an application. There are many schools getting out close to our tryout dates. Should extra snow days be added to the school calendar, the arrival time might change, check you letter we will send after the packets are scored.

            All rules in packet apply.  Please review these rules carefully.  There are some revised rules and some new rules.  We look forward to seeing you at the Maine ESE Equestrian Team Tryouts!

            Participants (riders, teen leader and grooms) will be required to sleep in the dorms. Please be prepared to sleep in the new barn. It has a concrete floor and 4 foot walls, some might want to pitch a tent or use tarps inside these stalls. We are required to collect camping fees from chaperones staying in campers.  We have been instructed to collect $15 per night from anyone using the water and/or electricity by the Skowhegan Fairground Association. Tent sites with out hook ups are also available.  We want you to be aware of this in advance of attending tryouts.

Sincerely,

The State 4-H Horse Committee

Please note that Teen Leader applicants need to fill out the Teen Leader Packet, which is different from the Rider Packet.

Maine 4-H Eastern States Equestrian Team Tryouts

June 20, 21, 22, 2008

Skowhegan State Fairgrounds

Eligibility and Rules for Maine 4-H Eastern States Equestrian Team Tryouts

1.                  You are required to be currently enrolled in the 4-H horse project. The information you supply in your packet must be for the current 4H year (October 2007 through April 2008). 

2.                  Members must have ownership or lease of horse by April 1, 2008.  Nursing mares are not eligible for Eastern States and therefore are not eligible for tryouts.  The horse used for tryouts and Eastern States, must be your 4-H project horse during the current 4-H year, and must be listed on your 4-H Animal Approval form, which must be signed and dated by your Leader and your County 4-H Staff Person who will emboss it by April 1, 2008 if you intend to tryout.

3.                  Horse brought to tryouts must be your current 4-H project horse and be recorded on your Animal Approval Form, filed with your County Extension Office no later than April 1, 2008.  With State 4-H Office approval, a substitute horse may be brought to tryouts provided the animal is a 4-H project registered with the county 4-H Office by April 1, 2008, and you present a Veterinarian's Certificate stating the reasons the original animal cannot participate in the tryouts.  Apply for State 4-H Office approval immediately in case of a substitute. 

4.                  Please Note:  If your 4-H project involves more than one horse, you are encouraged to list all of your 4-H project horses on the Animal Approval Form.  Only horses listed on Animal Approval Forms filed in the County 4-H office by April 1 may be brought to tryouts or exhibited at the Eastern States Exposition.

5.                  All horses brought to tryouts are required to have been annually vaccinated for rabies on or before June 8, 2008 to be current.  All Maine horses must have had a Coggins Test valid between June 20, 2005 and June 23, 2008.  Out-of-state Horses must have had a Coggins Test between December 20, 2007 and June 21, 2008.  (See vaccination page) If you make the team, you will need a Coggins valid no earlier than 6 months before we return from ESE.

6.                  The following shots are required or highly recommended:

This is the 2008 Equine Vaccination Statement from the State 4-H Office:

"4-Hers attending 4-H horse events in 2008 must provide proof of current, annual vaccination for
Rabies as well as a current Coggins test done by a veterinarian. EVH-1 and Equine Influenza are
also required, and administered within six months of your last 4-H horse event of the season.
Horse owners may, however, administer their own EVH-1 and Equine Influenza inoculations and a
sales receipt will be sufficient evidence for proof of vaccination.”

7.                  Maine 4-H members may attend Eastern States in up to, but no more than, two commodities for which they qualify, in any given year, as long as their participation in two commodities does not prevent the participation of another 4-H member who would be attending in only one commodity and if the two commodity programs at the Eastern States Exposition do not conflict or overlap during the Exposition.

8.                  Whatever seat you try out for and make the team in (i.e. driving, hunt, saddle, or stock), you must participate at ESE in that same seat.  You are not allowed to change seats after tryouts. Should you need your substitute horse at tryouts, and you ride your substitute horse in another seat, but this is the horse and seat you will show at ESE if you make the team.

9.                  Members trying out for team riders must have passed their 12^th birthday but not have turned 19 years of age on or before January 1^st of the current year.

10.              Following are the procedures that will be taken for discipline and or elimination from tryouts:

a.      Verbal warning

b.      Sent home & eliminated from trying out

11.              Judge's decisions are final.  Written concerns should be sent to: Michaele Bailey, UMaine State 4-H Office, 5741 Libby Hall, Orono, Maine 04469-5741; post marked no later than five days after Eastern States Tryouts.  No complaints will be examined after 5 days.  The New England 4-H Horseshow Rules and Guidelines book will be used. The USEF rulebook will govern areas not covered in that book, must be current edition.

12.              Members who have questions or emergencies that will make them late for tryouts, must call and give reason(s) to the current horse committee chair (name and number are found on the Table of Contents page).  Attendance at another horse event will not be accepted as a reason for lateness.

13.              A tie for last member on the Team will be broken by knowledge test.  The records score will be second tiebreaker.

14.              The Maine 4-H Eastern States Exposition Equestrian Team will consist of no more than 20 Riders or Drivers, 4 Teen Leader positions, and 3 Alternate Rider positions.

15.              Due to safety issues, all horses must be groomed and saddled in your stalls at tryouts.  No grooming or preparation of horses will be done in the barn aisles. You must have barn manager approval for all horse movement.

16.              Barn curfew will be same as at Eastern States Exposition. No barn entry before 6 am or after 10 p.m.

17.              Please note that we attempt to have the ESE tryout experience similar to the actual event. This will include no lunging time, no horse bathing time, no extra riding time, and no one except designated 4Hers or committee members to attend to the horses. Any changes will be at the discretion of the barn manager.

18.               We are planning a meal plan at tryouts, details to follow in your tryout confirmation letter to be sent after packets are judged.

19.              Eastern States Horse Team Tryouts will be held on June 20, 21, and 22, 2008.  Team orientation will be held June 22, 2008. Please plan to arrive no later than 6:00 p.m. on June 20^th.  Further details will be sent to you after the packets are scored.

20.                All riders, all seats must wear an ASTM/SEI approved hardhat with chin harness properly fastened whenever mounted. The original ASTM/SEI seal must be in the helmet.  There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.  All riders and parents must sign the New England helmet waiver.

21.              No riding in tank tops or spaghetti straps, for safety and modesty.

22.              ***There will be dorms available for both guys and gals.  All 4Hers will be expected to sleep in the dorms, the new barns. Chaperones, there will be charge for using water and or electricity of $15.00 per night, and tenting space available. There is no charge for tenting space as long as you are not using electricity or water.

23.              Quiet time for all at tryouts is 11 p.m. – 6 a.m.

24.              No cell phones or CD players. (There are 3 public phones available on the grounds). Cell phones will be returned at the end of tryouts.

The State 4-H Horse Committee will arrange for team and horse transportation to Eastern States Exposition for 2008.  All team members must use this transportation provided by the State 4-H Horse Committee. Cost per participant (no more than $250.00 for riders and $35.00 for teen leaders) will be announced at tryouts and checks will be accepted at Tryouts or can be mailed to:

Karen Snyder

425 Weeks Mills Rd

New Sharon, ME 04955

Checks should be made out to:  Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation and received no later than September 1, 2008.

2008 MAINE 4-H EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION

EQUESTRIAN TEAM TRYOUTS

APPLICATION AND SCORE CARD

The Maine State 4-H Horse Animal Science Committee will score the Entry Application Packets.  If not POSTMARKED by May 10, 2008, it will not be scored, and the member will not be eligible to tryout.

Members must fill out records and forms.  (Neatness and creativity may add to your score) Information may be typed, handwritten in ink, or done on a computer, provided that they follow the same format as the original.

Please send your completed Packet to:          

Knox-Lincoln County Extension Office

377 Manktown Road,
Waldoboro, ME 04572
Phone: (207) 832-0343 or 800-244-2104

The Entry Application Packet should be placed in a loose-leaf or 3 ring notebook. The following is allowed:

a.  Decoration may be added to the cover provided it does not interfere with handling.

b.  Dividers may be used between sections.

c.  Clear protective covers may be used for all pages. 

d.  Up to six (6) photographs may be included but only one (1) photo of the applicant is required.

e.   Photocopy pages as needed.

1.         RIDER’S APPLICATION PACKET…………………………………...………………. 50 Points

Items included in your Entry Application Packet Must Be Submitted In The Following Order:

(Points will be deducted as follows for the following problems. Three (3) points will be deducted if not in correct order.)

TOTAL POINT VALUE OF EACH SECTION

5 points            A.  EMBOSSED ANIMAL APPROVAL FORM (Photocopy and embossed.  Original must be on file at your county 4-H Office.)  IF NOT IN PACKET- YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM TRYOUTS.  ANY ERRORS IN THE PACKET, AND ALL 5 POINTS WILL BE FOREITED.

5 points            B.  PROOF OF OWNERSHIP/ LEASE FORM / bill of sale. Use lease form included in this packet, which must be dated on or before April 1 of the current year. A bill of sale or registration form in the 4Hers name is acceptable. All dates need to match what is on your approval form.  ……………………….…2 points deducted if signatures missing

……………… 2 points deducted if dates DO NOT match approval form

…………….…1 points deducted if not in name of member

5  points           C.  COGGINS / RABIES CERTIFICATE/ VACCINATIONS  (rabies and coggins are state requirements and must be in packet. No exceptions.EVH-1 and Equine Influenza vaccines ****)

…………………...NO COGGINS- DISQUALIFIED FROM TRYOUTS

………………… ..NO RABIES- DISQUALIFIED FROM TRYOUTS

…...………………Up to 5 points deducted if any portion does not correspond to other documentation in the packet such as names, dates. (judge’s discretion)

5 points            E. RIDER REGISTRATION FORM- must include all appropriate signatures

                                          ……………………1 point deducted if missing information/signature

……………………5 points deducted if not in packet

2 points            F.  GROOM FORM (you are not required to have a groom)

…………..…………1 point deducted if missing information/groom form

…………..…………1 point deducted if you fail to indicate on form if you have no                         

                                                                                  groom (such as mark N/A).

5 points                        G.  4-H STORY

……………….…..5 points deducted if not in packet

…...……………….. 3 points deducted if 4-H story format not followed

5 points                        H.  4H             RESUME

                                      ……………………….           5 points deducted IF NOT IN PACKET

                                        ……………………… points are awarded on completion, not content

15 points            I.  ANIMAL CARE FORMS

                                          ……………………  5 points for missing information

                                           ……………………15 points deducted if missing from packet

3 points             J.  PHOTO OF MEMBER (Preferably 3x5 color)

……………………3 points deducted if not in packet

…...……………….1  point deducted if photo is not labeled with name

no points          K.  REQUEST FOR ORAL EXAM

50 points total

Bonus point system for packet can include in addition to the 50 points at the discretion of each judge

3 points added for neatness

3 points added for creativity

THE FINAL SCORE IS AN AVERAGE OF THE THREE JUDGE’S SCORES.

2.         KNOWLEDGE TEST                                                                                                100 Points

3.         FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP                                                                100 Points

Appearance of Animal:

                                    Condition                                                         15 points

                                    Grooming                                                        15 points

                                    Trimming/Braiding/Banding

  (If appropriate for seat and breed)                  5 points

                                    Fitting of Halter & Bridle                                   5 points

                        Appearance of Exhibitor:                                            10 points

                        Showing Animal in the Ring:

                                    Leading                                                            15 points

                                    Posing                                                              15 points

                                    Showing Animal to Best Advantage                 10 points

                                    Poise, Alertness, Attitude of exhibitor             10 points

            Placing:            Blue (90-100)

                                    Red (80-89)

                                    White (79 and below)

4.         EQUITATION CLASS (riders and drivers)    Rail work                                100 Points

5.         EQUITATION CLASS (riders and drivers)    Pattern work                          100 Points

6.         STABLE MANAGEMENT                                                                              50 Points

                                    Overall Management                                        15 points

                                    Stall Management                                            10 points

                                    Practical Horse Care                                        10 points

                                    Tack Room, & Tack                                        10 points

                                    Sportsmanship                                                   5 points

7.         HORSE JUDGING (two classes)                                                                   100 Points

                                                            Total Points    600 Points

KNOWLEDGE TEST

Questions on Maine’s knowledge test are taken from the 4H Horse Science and 4H Horse and Horsemanship books and Maine publication of Equine Facts:

Please focus on the chapters relating to Reproduction, Tack and Breeds.

There will also be questions from the University of Maine Extension’s publications:

 “Basic Horse Nutrition” (#1005) This can be downloaded at http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs or http://www.extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu, go to the agriculture publications

Check your county office for copies or order from below.

TO ORDER THE 4H Horse Science and 4H Horse and Horsemanship books:

http://www.4-hmall.org/ and go to educational resources. Order numbers are CO 200 and CO 201 and each cost $3.95 plus shipping. Or order by mail: National 4-H Supply Service, National 4-H Council
7100 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815-4999   Phone: (301) 961-2934

 CO 201                       CO 200

Insert a copy of your

EMBOSSED

animal approval

(signed and dated by april 1)

Form here

LEASE FORM

IF YOUR HORSE IS LEASED OR LOANED TO YOU, THE FOLLOWING FORM MUST BE FILLED OUT AND DATED ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1, 2008.

I, ________________________, have leased my horse or horses (circle one) to

          (Owner of horse)

to __________________________________ on  _________________________

          (4H Exhibitor)                                           (Date of Lease)

for the use as his/her 4H project. I understand that the horse must be in complete

care of the exhibitor for the duration of the 4-H activity. I agree not to force the

exhibitor to break any of the Maine 4-H rules.

_________________________________

(Signature of 4-H exhibitor)               

_________________________________

(Signature of owner of horse)

________________________________

(Phone number of owner)

________________________________

(Signature of exhibtor’s parent)

Name of Horse(s): ________________________________________________________