UMD 4-H Horse Program

📣 PATTERNS ARE HERE! 🐴✨

The wait is over—the 2026 Maryland State 4-H Horse & Pony Show patterns have officially been posted!

A huge thank you to Dr. Duane Stutzman for designing this year's outstanding patterns. We appreciate the time and expertise he put into creating patterns that will challenge and showcase our exhibitors.

📋 Be sure to review the attached patterns, practice them ahead of time, and, if possible, have them memorized before arriving at the show. Being familiar with your pattern can help build confidence and set you up for success in the arena!

We can't wait to see everyone in the ring. Happy practicing, and we'll see you at the Maryland State Fair! 🍀🐎

🌟 Meet the Judge! 🌟

We're excited to welcome Dr. Duane Stutzman as a judge for the 2026 Maryland State 4-H Horse & Pony Show! 🐴

With a lifelong passion for horses and decades of experience in the equine industry, Dr. Stutzman brings a wealth of knowledge to this year's show.

Dr. Duane Stutzman has been involved with horses his entire life and has successfully shown a wide variety of breeds in all-around events, as well as driving and dressage. He has competed at the local, state, and national levels throughout the United States, including the AHR Nationals, AMHR Nationals, ASPC Congress, and the Gypsy Vanner Congress, where he has earned multiple championships, most recently in Pleasure Driving.

An internationally recognized horse judge, he has officiated at numerous championship shows throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and New Zealand. He has judged for organizations including AMHA, AMHR, ASPC, AHR, GVHS, NMDA, POAC, and multiple state 4-H programs. In addition, he has served as an evaluator for both the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and the American Haflinger Registry, has presented at numerous judges’ clinics, and served on licensed officials committees. In addition, he has developed judges training materials, score sheets for pattern classes, and educational training videos for several equine organizations.

A former 4-H and FFA member, he remains deeply committed to youth development and has also officiated numerous 4-H Hippology, Quiz Bowl, and Communications competitions, as well as the Eastern National 4-H Roundup Horse Judging Competition. He has also managed the Ohio FFA Horse Judging Contest and has served on the Ohio 4-H Horse Judges Committee.

Outside the show ring, he is the owner of Buckeye Equestrian Events, a horse show management company that produces and manages a variety of breed shows across the United States. Professionally, he serves as a Dean at Zane State College and previously taught Anatomy & Physiology. In his spare time, he enjoys farming alongside his brother.

Please join us in giving Dr. Stutzman a warm Maryland 4-H welcome! We look forward to an outstanding week of competition and learning with him at the 2026 Maryland State 4-H Horse & Pony Show. 🍀💚

Support Awards for the Maryland State Fair Horse Show!
We are requesting support for the Maryland State Fair 4-H Horse Shows. To help us recognize the class champions from each show, we are seeking additional support from you! https://go.umd.edu/4Hhorseshowawards

Important Maryland State Fair Equine Health Requirements:
Maryland equids must have verification of a veterinary - client - patient relationship (VCPR). This can be either a current CVI or EECVI (recommended), however, a completed VCPR form is acceptable. Please visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture website at https://mda.maryland.gov/AnimalHealth/pages/fairs-shows.aspx to access the VCPR form and get more information on these important health requirement changes for fairs and shows.

Note: Maryland CVI's are now valid for only 60 days.

The last day to register 4-H/FFA Horse and Pony entries for the Maryland State Fair is July 15th, 2026 @ 11:59PM. To register please visit https://marylandstatefair.com/4hffa/ We can't wait to see you at the Maryland State Fair!

10 Days left to enter in the 4-H Equine Visual Arts Contest! Youth contestants will submit their art and/or photography pieces via 4-H Online when they register for the event. We look forward to seeing what you create!

State Fair Senior Hunter Jump Height Clarification: It was brought to our attention that the Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA Horse & Pony Premium Book listed jump heights for the Senior Hunter Division classes were not in alignment with the Maryland 4-H Horse Show Rulebook. The Senior Hunter Division jump heights are now corrected to 2'0" for ponies and 2'6" for horses.

Please share this correction with current and prospective participants in the Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA Horse & Pony Show within your groups. Please be reminded that entries close on July 15th for the Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA Horse & Pony Show.

Thank you for your understanding as we correct this error. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA Horse & Pony Show, please feel free to contact me or any of the Horse Show Superintendents.

Please note the travel requirements currently in place!

Due to the current Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) multi-state outbreak, Maryland is instituting the following actions.

Effective immediately:

1. The use of EECVI's is suspended until further notice.

2. Interstate certificates of veterinary inspection (ICVIs) for equids originating from all states are required.

3. In addition, an intrastate certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all equine events within Maryland.

4. Equids originating from states with confirmed positive EHV-1 cases will need a CVI to be issued within 5 days of travel.

5. The following statement must be included on all equid CVI's: “The equine(s) listed on this CVI have, during the 21 days prior to the shipment date, not originated from a premises under EHV-1 quarantine, not been exposed to an EHV-1 positive equine, and not attended any event where an EHV-1 positive equine has been confirmed or suspected.”

These actions supersede the current animal import regulations on the website. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in regulatory or legal action.

Please be aware that many states are changing their entry requirements for equids. You will need to contact the state of destination for the most current requirements.

There are lots of ways to support the National Contests! Baskets and Good Luck ads help to offset the costs to put on this big event!

Calling all 4-H supporters! 🐴 The Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup is just around the corner, and we're looking for your help to make it a success!

Show your support by:
✨ Donating to our Silent Auction (items or themed baskets welcome!)
🍀 Submitting a "Good Luck Ad" for participants!

Your contributions directly help keep costs down for our amazing 4-H members. All Good Luck Ads must be received by Oct 15, 2025!

Learn more and get involved: www.4hroundup.com/contest-info or contact Anna Draeger at [email protected].

Sr English Show

2025 4-H Senior English Horse Show- Maryland State Fair- 08.24.2025 · Sunday, Aug 24 📸 Shared album · Tap to view!