Livestock Show Rules
- A 4-Her must be nine years of age (or have turned nine) during the current 4-H year (October 1 – September 30) to be eligible to show. Cloverbuds (5-8 year olds) are not allowed to participate in the 4-H Livestock Show.
- Market and non-market 4-H Animal Science Projects must have completed their project book to show in the Wayne County Fair. The project will serve as the still exhibit which will be placed in the Exhibit Hall.
- 4-H Animal Science Projects must be declared by February 1, 2022 to be eligible to show in the 2022 Wayne County Fair. All exhibitors must have a 4-H enrollment card on file with the WVU Wayne County Extension Office by this date as well.
- 4-H Exhibitors must own or lease in some form, feed, care for, and house their animal at a designated and approved location when the animal is not kept at the primary residence. If the animal is housed at a location other than the exhibitor’s primary address, this should be noted on the 4-H Animal Science Project Declaration Form.
- Adults assisting with preparing animals for the show and on show day are encouraged to involve the exhibitor in the animal preparation thus providing a ‘learning by doing’ experience. Adults should serve as mentors and share equally the preparation.
- 4-H Exhibitors are required to place their animals in their designated cage/ stall and leave them there for the duration of the day. This is for safety of the animal and the public visiting the fair.
- 4-H Exhibitors must provide bedding, food, water and other essential supplies for the care of the animal during the fair. Exhibitors will be notified if cages (poultry/ rabbit) and stalls will be needed.
- All animals entered in the show must be shown by the exhibitor. If emergency circumstances prevent the exhibitor from showing their animal, the 4-H Livestock Committee must be notified at check-in who may designate another 4-Her to show the animal.
- 4-H Exhibitors must wear hard, closed-toe shoes or boots. Exhibitors are strongly discouraged from wearing sneakers, tennis shoes or sandals.
- All animals exhibited must conform to the state of WV Department of Agriculture health regulations for livestock. The 4-H Livestock Committee will review health papers for all animals before your animal is unloaded at the fair. All livestock must be gentle, halter broke, trained and ready to show.
- All 4-H Exhibitors are required to participate in showmanship for their respective classes (Example – in order to receive premium monies for Goat, the exhibitor must have participated in the Goat Showmanship class).
- All 4-H Exhibitors will be assigned an entry number which must be displayed in the ring when showing.
- The National Code of Show Ring Ethics will govern the 4-H Livestock Show. Showing livestock at a Fair must adhere to animal requirements outlined by the WV Department of Agriculture.
For more information, contact Lisa Bell, 4-H Extension Agent at (304) 272-6839.