State Contests and Awards

Idaho Horsemanship Award

The Idaho Horsemanship Award tests knowledge and skills in horsemanship. It honors the most talented youth riders in Idaho. The award sets high goals for youths and recognizes citizenship and leadership.

Any youth enrolled in an organized horse program who is age 14 by Jan. 1 and not more than age 19 during the calendar year may apply. We recommend having participated in the 4-H Horsemanship program or other organized groups such as Scouts, breed associations or pony clubs.

State 4-H Shooting Sports Contest

Please visit the Idaho 4-H Shooting Sports Contests and Events page for further information.

Horse Contests

Are you ready to advance your skills in Judging, Hippology, Horse Bowl and Oral Presentations? Eligible 4-H horse project members may compete in state level events held annually in July. 

All contests will be held in accordance with the Idaho Youth Contest Horse Procedures and Rules.

For contest dates, registration links and guidelines, please visit Idaho's 4-H Horse Program contest page. 

Livestock Skill-A-Thon Contest

The Livestock Skill-A-Thon is an opportunity for young people to blend knowledge and skills from livestock judging, demonstrations, care and exhibition of animals into one activity. It provides teens with no opportunity for livestock ownership to learn about the importance of livestock and their products to the environment, expanding their knowledge and participation. In addition, it is an opportunity to recognize members for their total involvement in and comprehension in the livestock industry, instilling ethical values, good sportsmanship and evaluation skills.

The 2025 contest will be held in Jerome on Jan. 18 at the Jerome County Fairgrounds. The registration and payment deadline is Jan. 6. No late entries will be accepted. Please review the Livestock Skill-A-Thon Contest Rules (PDF) for rules, guidelines and contest format.

For questions or additional information please contact Scott Nash at snash@uidaho.edu

State Livestock Judging Contest

This contest provides an opportunity for youth to put their livestock evaluation and oral reasons skills to work. The contest is held annually on the Saturday after Labor Day during the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot.

Youth must qualify as a team in a county qualifying event. Open to all youth ages 8-18. Youth participate in age divisions.

Winners in the senior division will be eligible to represent Idaho at the Western National Roundup in Denver, Colorado in January.

Review the rules to help get a team ready to compete.

State Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest

This contest provides an opportunity for youth to put their livestock knowledge to work. The objectives of this contest are:

• Stimulate learning
• Reward 4-H members for knowledge gained
• Provide a competitive setting where friendliness and fairness prevails
• Develop teamwork, self-confidence and decision-making skills

The Livestock Quiz Bowl has one division. Each county in Idaho is invited to enter up to three teams. A team consists of four individuals and one alternate (if desired). Contestants must be current, enrolled 4-H members through ZSuite and approved by their UI Extension office.

Contestants must already have reached their 8th birthday, and must not have reached their 19th birthday, by January 1 of the contest year.  If a team has one or more members who are under 14 years of age, that team is NOT eligible to represent Idaho at the Western National Roundup in Denver, Colorado.

Review the rules to help get a team ready to compete.

Save the Dates — The 2024 State Livestock Quiz Bowl contest will be held July 2, 2024 at the Gooding County Extension Office, 233 Lucy Lane, Gooding, ID.  If you have questions or need further information regarding the State Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest please contact Scott Nash at snash@uidaho.edu.

Idaho 4-H State Dairy Judging Contest

This contest provides an opportunity for youth to put their dairy evaluation and oral reasons skills to work. The contest will be held annually in the Treasure Valley, during the month of June. The 2024 Idaho 4-H Dairy Judging Contest will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Solid Rock Ranch, 6623 Sunrise Ave., Nampa, ID.

Youth may enter teams as a county or join together with multiple counties to form a team in order to be eligible to compete. The contest is open to all youth ages 8-18. Teams will participate in either junior or senior age divisions. 

There will also be a showmanship contest for junior and senior age divisions.

Winners in the senior division of both contests will be eligible to represent Idaho at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI, in October.

Super Shopper

The EISF 4-H Super Shopper Contest is a competitive state level event. 4-H’ers practice making decisions based on information about a situation and four available marketplace options.

Participants compare personal decisions with the decisions from a panel of judges who are knowledgeable about today’s marketplace and its various goods and services.

For more information, contact Lance Hansen at 208-359-6297 or lancehansen@uidaho.edu.

Idaho 4-H Key Award

The Idaho 4-H Key Award recognizes 4-H members who achieve significant leadership in their 4-H club and county. The award encourages project growth, a broad program of 4-H activities over the years, and the development of outstanding citizens. 

County awards committees review the applications to determine awards. UI Extension county staff members submit the names of the Key Award winners to the state 4-H Youth Development office. There is no due date, so names may be submitted at any time.

Each recipient is presented a key lapel pin and certificate at a countywide event. The wearer of the Idaho 4-H Key can be proud of his or her contribution to club and community.

Idaho 4-H Rangeland Skill-a-thon

The Idaho 4-H Rangeland Resource Commission partners with UI 4-H Youth Development, Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Adams Soil Conservation District to host this annual event.

Topics covered include rangeland plant identification, soil identification, animals on the range, wildfire and rangeland stewardship challenges.