Youth Educational Contests

This is a comprehensive knowledge-based competition in which teams of three to four youths complete an exam, stations, slides, and judging covering all aspects of the horse industry. The competition is divided into three divisions (Junior, Junior High, and Senior), with age-appropriate information included in each division. Regional qualifying contests are held in January. The state competition is held in February, and the winning team will represent Tennessee at the National 4-H Horse Bowl in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

A comprehensive resource list to prepare for the competition can be found at UTHorse.

Regional Hippology Contest

January 18, 2025

State Hippology Contest

February 14-15, 2025

A Jeopardy-style competition in which teams of three to four youths answer questions related to the horse industry. The competition is divided into three divisions (Junior, Junior High, and Senior), with age-appropriate information included in each division. Regional qualifying contests are held in January. The state competition is held in February, and the winning team will represent Tennessee at the National 4-H Horse Bowl in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

A comprehensive resource list to prepare for the competition can be found at UTHorse.

Regional Hippology Contest

January 18, 2025

State Hippology Contest

February 14-15, 2025

Public speaking contests where youth compete in individual demonstration, team demonstration, and individual public speaking events using a topic from their horse project. The state competition is held in the spring with the winners of the three events representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Horse Communications Contest in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

A comprehensive resource list to prepare for the competition can be found at UTHorse.

Teams of three to four youth evaluate horses based on conformation, performance, and other relevant traits. They also present oral reasons. Regional qualifying contests are held in May. The state competition is held in June at the state 4-H Horse Show with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Horse Judging Contest in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

A comprehensive resource list to prepare for the competition can be found at UTHorse.

Regional Horse Judging Contest

April 10, 2025

State Horse Judging Contest

Jeopardy-style competition where teams of three to four youth answer questions related to the beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goat industries. The state competition is held in January with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

Link to the Quiz Bowl Rules

State Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest

February 8, 2025

Teams of three to four youth evaluate eight classes of beef cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats based on structure, muscle, volume, and other production traits. They also present four sets of oral reasons and answer questions on two classes. Regional qualifying contests are held in April and May. The state competition is held the first Tuesday of June with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

2023 State 4-H Livestock Judging Results

Link to the Livestock Judging Rules

Regional Horse Judging Contest

November 7, 2024

November 6, 2025

Teams of three to four youth evaluate and identify poultry meat cuts, poultry parts, eggs, and live birds. They also present oral reasons. The state competition is held in September or October with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

Fall Judging Day (October) at Brehm Animal Science in Knoxville

Activities:

  • Judging (Post Production Hens)
  • Oral Reasons (1 set)
  • RTC Broiler Carcass Quality (10 carcasses)
  • Chicken Parts ID (10 parts)
  • Egg Candling – Interior Quality (15 eggs)
  • Exterior Quality Eggs (15 eggs)
  • Broken Out Egg Quality (10 eggs)
  • RTC Parts Quality (10 Parts)
  • Further Processed Products (10 products)
  • For more information view the National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest Manual

Senior Division

National Trips – First place team goes to National 4-H (Louisville, KY)

View the National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest Manual

View the Chicken Barbecue National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest Manual

View the Turkey Barbecue National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest Manual

View the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Contest

Regional Poultry Judging Contest

April 29, 2025