4-H Fitting Contests

The Nebraska State Fair and Nebraska 4-H are excited to offer new 4-H Fitting Contests in 2023. 

• When: Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. CST
• Where: Five Points Bank Arena
• Who: 4-H exhibitors with eligible 4-H livestock entries at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair

Registration

• Deadline: Thursday, August 10 at 8:00 p.m. CST
• Fee: $30 per team
• Cap: 20 teams per species

Note: Registration must be completed by local Extension offices.

Regulations

The contest will be open to the first 20 registered teams. Teams will be registered through their local Extension office through an online form. All teams must consist of exhibitors with eligible 4-H livestock entries at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair. Each team must be comprised of the following:

• Each team member must be from the same or adjacent county to complete a team.
• Each team must be comprised of two members.
• Each team must have at least one member 13 and under (Intermediate division at the Nebraska State Fair).
• One team member must provide the animal used in the contest (see animal guidelines below). The other team member is not required to be goat exhibitor. 

Rules

1. The goat fitting contest will be 30 minutes in length. A 10-minute warning will be given. At the end of the 30-minute allotted time, clippers down and work stopped.
2. The team must provide the animal–an eligible goat entry at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair 4-H Show. The animal must also be owned by one of the team members.
3. Each animal must be completely clean and dry.
4. Limit of two plug-in outlets per team.
5. Students will be judged based on the following criteria:
   1. Quality of workmanship
   2. Team Skills – Compatibility & Organization
   3. Compatibility of the use of various types of grooming equipment and supplies.
6. Exhibits will be evaluated based on a three-judge system. The neatness of individuals and the area will be in consideration.
7. Prizes won in the fitting contest MAY NOT be returned to the product sponsor for a different product.
8. Contestants will be required to attend a mandatory meeting before the contest.
9. Contestants must have their equipment (including stand) set up 30 minutes before the contest.
10. When the time is up, one team member will present their animal before the judges. The judges will make comments and announce awards.

NOTE: In case of a power outage for one or more stands, a horn will be sounded, and all work halts on all teams.

Regulations

The contest will be open to the first 20 registered teams. Teams will be registered through their local County Extension Office through an online form. All teams must consist of exhibitors with eligible entries at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair 4-H Show. Each team must be comprised of the following regulations:

• Each team member must be from the same or adjacent county to complete a team.
• Each team must be comprised of three members.
• Each team must have at least one member 13 years and under (Intermediate division at the NSF).
• One team member must provide the animal used in the contest (see animal guidelines below). Other team members are not required to be beef exhibitors.

Rules

1. The beef fitting contest will be 40 minutes in length. A 10-minute warning will be given. At the end of the 40-minute allotted time, clippers down, and work stopped.
2. The team must provide the animal–an eligible beef entry at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair 4-H Show. The animal must also be owned by one of the team members.
3. Each animal must be completely clean and dry.
4. Limit of two plug-in outlets per team.
5. Students will be judged based on the following criteria:
   1. Quality of workmanship
   2. Team Skills – Compatibility & Organization
   3. Compatibility of the use of various types of grooming equipment and supplies.
6. Exhibits will be evaluated based on a three-judge system. The neatness of individuals and the area will be in consideration.
7. Prizes won in the fitting contest MAY NOT be returned to the product sponsor for a different product.
8. Contestants will be required to attend a mandatory meeting before the contest.
9. Contestants must have their equipment (including chute) set up 30 minutes before the contest.
10. When the time is up, one team member will present their animal before the judges. The judges will make comments and announce awards.

NOTE: In case of a power outage for one or more chutes, a horn will be sounded, and all work halts on all teams.