What is Hippology? - Hippology is a Greek word, with the word root "hippo" meaning horse and "ology" meaning the study of.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the Hippology Contest are to provide, in a friendly but competitive setting:
the opportunity to blend equine science and husbandry with horse judging and public speaking into one activity where 4-Hers can apply their acquired knowledge and skill;
to encourage youth to continue expanding their horse knowledge and participation in various equine events;
to recognize youth for their comprehension of the many facets of the horse industry; and
to teach good sportsmanship and encourage leadership.
Contestants and Eligibility
All contestants will enter as Individuals. Counties may designate up to four (4) individuals to compete for team awards
Each county may send up to eight seniors and eight intermediates to the contest.
Each contestant may compete individually or as a team
Individuals may combine from different counties to form a team
Team Make Up
Of the individuals entered about, each county may designate members to form one senior and one intermediate team Teams will consist of at least three (3) members but not more than four (4) members per team.
On teams on which there are four (4) members, all will participate, but the member receiving the lowest overall score will be automatically declared the alternate. The alternate is still eligible for individual awards.
Counties may send complete teams or combine to form an intermediate and/or senior team (if an individual enters without a team, the contest coordinator will attempt to form teams for purposes of the team problem solving phase)
Contestants may be selected by any means appropriate to the county they represent. Contestants must enter in either the intermediate or senior division. Intermediates are those individuals in 6th through 8th grade as of October 1st of the current year. Seniors are 4-Hers in the 9th grade and above, as of October 1st of the current year, but have not passed their 19th birthday by January 1 of the current year. All contestants must be enrolled in 4-H during the current year and eligibility must be certified by a county 4-H staff person.
The senior winning Hippology Team at the state contest will be invited to represent Washington in the Eastern National 4-H Round-Up in Louisville, KY. They will be ineligible to compete in future Washington State Hippology contests. In the event that any team members become ineligible, or decline to compete at the Eastern National 4-H Roundup, the next highest ranking individuals will be offered a place on the team.
Contestants (including team alternates) on the state winning senior team that goes on to the national contest cannot participate again in the state hippology contest. All intermediate teams may return.
Other eligibility requirements will be detailed in the entry form to be made available prior to the contest, including but not limited to fees involved or deadlines.
Reference Materials
All the information covered in this contest must be found in one or more of the following publications.
Equine Science: Basic Knowledge for Horse People of All Ages by Jean T. Griffiths; http://www.horsebooksetc.com/ or 1-800-952-5813; or ISBN # 978-1-929164-42-4 to order from your local bookstore. (new in 2009)
The Horse (2nd edition) by Evans, Borton, Hintz, VanVleck., W. H. Freeman and Company, 660 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94104; 415/391-5870.
Horse Industry Handbook, American Youth Horse Council, 4093 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511-8434; 800/879-2942 or 606/259-2742.
American Youth Horse Council Youth Leader's Handbook, By the American Youth Horse Council. American Youth Horse Council, 4093 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511-8434; 800/879-2942 or 606/259-2742.
Feeding and Care of the Horse (2nd Edition), by Lon Lewis, 456 pages. Williams and Wilkins, P.O. Box 1496, Baltimore, MD 21298-9724; 800/638-0672.
The Coloring Anatomy of the Horse, Robert Kainer and Thomas McCracken, Alpine Publications Inc., P.O. Box 7027, Loveland, CO 80537; 800/777-7257.
Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms, New Horizons Education Center, Inc. Alpine Publications, PO Box 7027, Loveland, CO., 80537; 800/777-7257, FAX 970/667-9157.
Any grains, forages and feed preparations used in this contest will be representative of feeds utilized in horse rations.
Dover Saddlery - Apparel, tack and horse care items, for the English rider To request a free catalog please visit www.DoverSaddlery.com or call toll free 1 888 234 6942
Smith Brothers - Apparel, tack and horse care items, for the Western rider. To request a free catalog please visit www.SmithBrothers.com or toll free 1- 888 677 0450
All Washington State 4-H Horse Project publications, as listed in the current EM2778, 4-H Projects & Publications. It is understood that this reference source will not be used at national level contests.
It is further understood that topics covered in the above reference materials may be expanded upon in the Identification Station phase (i.e., an Identification Station may be titled Harness Driving Carts and may exhibit pictures of carts that may not be specifically mentioned by name in an above source, however, harness driving is discussed in detail).
The Contest
Examination Phase - 200 points maximum per individual, 600 points maximum per team. This phase of the contest may include:
a written examination (or exams) regarding any number of horse topics.
projected slides may be used and shown to the group to be identified as to breed, color, color pattern, activity, proper appointments, etc.
The written exam will have a time limit. A typical exam is 50 questions which can be multiple choice, true or false, matching or fill in the blanks. When the exam consists of 50 questions, the time limit will be 20 minutes. For exams with more or fewer questions, the time limit will be adjusted accordingly.
If slides are used, the slide will be projected for 25 seconds. The typical slide show will project 50 images.
Identification Station Phase - 200 points maximum per individual, 600 points maximum per team. This phase will consist of a series of 10 stations or tables where all contestants will individually respond to the requirements of the station writing their answers on a score sheet. All contestants will be provided with a multiple-choice card at each station that contains all of the correct answers for the station. Not all answers will always be used, but only those choices on the multiple-choice card will be counted as correct answers. The time allowed at each station will be two (2) minutes. Contestants will start at any station and work their way individually through each station at the direction of the timekeeper until all 10 stations are completed.
Examples of stations which may be used include, but are not limited to the following.
Various types of saddles (actual or pictured) and parts of saddles.
Grains, feeds and forages used in equine rations including various supplements.
Internal and external parasites based on actual samples, pictures, life cycle charts, damage caused.
Disease processes; signs, symptoms and prognosis.
Vaccinations and/or medications and usage of same.
Blemishes and unsoundnesses; conformation anomalies.
Ages of equines based on teeth and identification of types of teeth
Common weeds and poisonous plants identification. Symptoms of poisoning.
Measurements, such as--but not limited to--wither height, shoe size, girth, collar size, gullet width, seat length of saddle, length and capacity of body parts, and western games arena equipment dimensions, etc., may be required.
Identify and/or describe the purpose of organ systems within the horse.
Riding discipline information, particular information about harness driving, western games, dressage, equitation over fences, etc.
Identification of colors, breeds and types of horses.
Judging Phase - 200 points maximum per individual, 600 points maximum per team. Contestants will be required to place a total of four (4) classes. No written or oral reasons are required. Classes may include any of the following.
Conformation classes.
Performance classes.
Examples of classes for both conformation and performance could be StockType Halter, Saddle Type Mares, Western Pleasure and Huntseat Equitation.
Classes of feeds.
Classes of tack or appointments.
In the event of an emergency where live classes cannot be scheduled, photographs or videos may be substituted.
Individual Problem Solving (Impromptu)– 50 points. Will be used as part of the team score and individual score. Each individual will be presented with a question or an item to demonstrate/discuss. The answer is meant to be presented in an extemporaneous manner.
An example of a question could be: “What is your favorite color of a horse”. The individual would be given approximately 30 seconds to begin their answer. It is expected that an answer will take approximately 30 seconds to deliver. Significant variations of time will be penalized.
An example of an item to demonstrate may be: “Show the judge how to tie a safety knot”. During the demonstration, it would be expected that the individual would verbally describe what they are doing, why it is important, what the item is used for, etc. The time allowed for a demonstration will be commensurate with the task assigned.
An example of an item to discuss could be: “On the table is several horse products, pick a horse product and describe its usage.” The individual would be given approximately 30 seconds to begin their answer. It is expected that an answer will take approximately 30 seconds to deliver. Significant variations of time will be penalized.
Team Problem Solving - 150 points; All teams will be presented with the same problem. Each team will have 10 minutes to discuss the problem among themselves, making notes as appropriate on their team problem worksheets. Teams will not have access to the team problem worksheet until the timekeeper is able to start their 10 minute time limit. No other written materials are allowed in the team problem solving preparation area. Notes may be used during the presentation but points will be deducted for excessive use. Prior to presentation the team's individual worksheets will be turned into the judge. The team will then present an oral solution or series of suggested procedures relative to the problem. Each member of each team will contribute to the oral presentation. The oral presentation should not last longer than six (6) minutes. Evaluation will be based on the overall presentation of the team, their understanding of the problem, the completeness of the response, the probability of success of the solution or procedures, and the logic used in making the oral response. The official(s) may ask questions of any or all of the team members to clarify the presentation. No other person may ask questions. Questions from the official(s) do not impact the six (6) minute time limit. All teams will be judged by the same judge or team of judges.
Examples of possible team problems might include the following.
Balancing a horse's ration.
Farm management recommendations for specific, (i.e., breeding, training, boarding, nursery, lay-up, etc.) horse operations. Considerations for the establishment of a new horse facility (stable to be used for a specific purpose).
Recommendations for selecting, locating and purchasing horses for specific uses.
Behavior problems - causes, management of, and corrections.
Training and conditioning programs - equipment, schedules, methods, nutrition, problem avoidance.
Breeding and/or leasing contracts - specific clauses for insurance, liability, payments, care, termination, transport, etc.
Demonstrate skill or ability to use specific equipment, i.e. assembling a harness.
Design a course to be used for equitation over fences, eventing or trail.
How to rehabilitate a neglected or abused horse.
Individual Scores
The individual score will be the sum of the written exam, identification, judging and individual problem solving.
Team Scores
The team score will be the sum of the top three individual on the team (drop the lowest score for teams with four members) plus the Team Problem Solving Score.
Tie Breaking
All ties overall, individual and team, will be broken using the following sequence:
Examination scores
Identification Station scores
Judging scores
Individual Problem Solving
Team Problem Solving scores (team only)
Awards
The top ten (10) overall individual scores, per senior and intermediate divisions, will be awarded rosettes. In addition, the top three individuals will be awarded medals, gold for top score, silver for second, and bronze for third.
The top ten individuals in each phase will be announced but no awards will be presented.
Each member of the top five (5) teams, per senior and intermediate division, will be recognized with rosette ribbons.
Adopted December 2011
Contact Us, Toll Free: 866-458-0196; Pullman Office: 509-335-2981; Puyallup Office: 253-445-4550
WSU Extension State 4-H Office, P.O. Box 646248, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6248 USA