The Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse Project is a heritage-based program designed to pass down traditional livestock handling practices from horseback to today’s youth. This is not a rodeo project, but a practical and exciting opportunity to learn essential skills for handling, sorting, and moving cattle. Participants will also learn mounted roping as a humane and useful livestock tool, along with branding techniques, and the care and housing of both cattle and horses.
 
In addition to horsemanship, members will develop leadership and responsibility, core values of 4-H. As ranching becomes increasingly automated, many traditional skills are being lost. The 4-H Working Ranch Horse Program aims to preserve these age-old practices while equipping youth with skills for the future.

 

Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse Show

Photo Credit: Tom Aldrich

2025 Working Ranch Horse Finals Dates- September 12-14, 2025 at 406 Arena, Vaughn, MT 

Registration Details:

Cancellation Form: https://forms.office.com/r/peSAzfTJTP

Online Payment: https://ecommerce.montana.edu/4h_wrhf/

Please include your invoice number(s) and the registered participant(s) when paying online.

  • $100 non-refundable fee
  • 4-H Working Ranch Horse Level: $70
  • 4-H Colt & Green Horse Classes: $40
  • Versatility Ranch Horse: $70
  • Additional Versatility Ranch Horse: $45

There is a $100 non-refundable fee, and the 3% credit/debit card fee is also non-refundable.

All cancellations and class drops must be documented before August 29, 2025, to receive a full refund. Refund requests must be submitted using the cancellation form.

All refunds will be processed after the event. Credit/debit card refunds will be issued within 2–3 business days, while check refunds may take up to two weeks.

After August 29, refund requests will only be considered in extreme cases.

Preferred method of payment is by credit/debit card.

Checks will be accepted, but need to be mailed by August 18 to ensure its received before the event.

Payments for registration WILL NOT be accepted at the event unless adding a class. 

For online payment, please make sure to include your invoice number when checking out and the name of the registered participant

  1. Media Release Form (for each exhibitor from Z-Suite)
  2. Medical Form (for each exhibitor from Z-Suite)
  3. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (for each horse) https://www.montana.edu/extension/4h/projects/animal_science/horse_docs/2020%20MT4H%20Vet%20Inspection%20Form.pdf

You must bring these completed forms to Check-In, email in advance to Sadie Woller, sadie.woller@montana.edu, or upload them in FairEntry in order to compete. Horses without a valid CVI will not be allowed on the premises.

  1. Login Fair Entry, if it is your first time you will need to create a new login.

  2. Register a new exhibitor. You will be asked in the "Questions" segment what division you are entering; 4-H Working Ranch Horse, 4-H Colt to Maturity/Green Horse, Versatility Ranch Horse, or Versatility Colts. Please select which division you would like to enter.

  3. After you enter your Exhibitor, you add entries by clicking the green ADD ENTRY button. Classes are separated by divisions, please make sure to SELECT ALL CLASSES within the division.

  4. Make sure to add your horse to all your divisions. You can add a horse by clicking the blue "Add Horse" button on the left and filling out the required information.

  5. If you need to register another participant, go back to the Exhibitor tab and click "Add Exhibitor"
  6. PLEASE WRITE DOWN YOUR INVOICE NUMBER BEFORE PAYMENT. You will be redirected to a MSU Website for payment which will ask for your FairEntry invoice number and the name of the registered member.
  7. After completing registration, please pay by using a credit/debit card. The State will approve all registrations. IF changes need to be made to the registration by the State (entered wrong class, entered wrong level, etc.) refunds will be processed.

Friday, September 12th 

9:00AM 

  

  

Facility Open for Arrivals 

Contestant Check In 

Common Room on West End of Barn 

10:00AM-12:00PM 

 

Trail Course Open for Practice 

Large and Small Arenas Open for Riding 

12:30PM 

 

Trail Team Challenge (optional fun activity) 

Trail Course 

2:00PM  

 

  

Opening Ceremony with Pledges and Group Photo  

& Exhibitors Meeting 

Bleachers 

2:30PM 

 

Large and Small Arenas Open for Warm Up 

2:30PM 

 WRH 

Sorting (Begin with Colts followed by Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 then Level 4) 

Medium Arena 

Knowledge Test (open at will, but must be completed by conclusion of sorting) 

Great Room on the West End of the Barn 

6:00 PM 

WRH 

Level 1 & 2 Roping 

Medium Arena  

WRH Colt Patterns followed by Levels 3 & 4 Patterns with Cow Work 

Large Arena 

  

  

  

 

Saturday, September 13th 

 

6:00AM 

  

Large and Small Arenas Open for Warm Up 

7:30AM 

  

Office Opens 

8:30AM 

WRH 

Levels 3 & 4 Roping  

Medium Arena 

Levels 1 & 2 Patterns  

Large Arena 

1:00 PM  

VRH 

Reining/Cow Work (Senior, Intermediate, Junior, Colts 2/3, Colts 4/5) 

Large Arena  

Trail Open (Open at Will Until 5 pm) 

Outdoor Trail Course 

6:00PM 

  

Dinner for Competitors/Families (must have purchased ticket) 

Great Room on the West End of the Barn 

7:00PM 

 

WRH Awards Ceremony 

Great Room on the West End of the Barn 

  

  

  

 

Sunday, September 14th 

 

7:00AM 

  

Large and Small Arenas Open for Warm Up 

7:30AM 

 

Office Opens 

8:30AM 

 

Show Starts 

 

8:30AM 

VRH 

Ranch Riding (Senior, Intermediate, Junior, Colts) 

Large Arena 

Trail Open (Open at will until conclusion of Ranch Riding) 

Outdoor Trail Course 

At conclusion of show 

 

VRH Awards Ceremony 

 

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities 

  • We couldn’t do this without each of you! Please review the various assignments in the following sign up and select times/tasks you are able.
  • Not sure what is needed? We provide you with all the info you need. There isn't a single task that requires special skills. Every single one of our wonderful parents and leaders are perfectly qualified!
  • Please note that we expect someone from each family to register for a volunteer assignment.

Volunteer Sign-Up Form: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BA8A72CAAF4C43-58177750-2025#/

Youth Team Challenge

Back for the second year! Get ready for added excitement, energy, and teamwork at the Youth Team Tournament Challenge — happening during the Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse State Finals!

This all-in-good-fun team competition is designed to build camaraderie and sportsmanship across counties and age divisions. All participants entered in the State Finals are automatically entered into the Team Challenge — no extra sign-up needed!

6–10 teams total, with 10 youth per team

Teams will be randomly assigned ahead of time to create a mix of counties, levels, and experience

Each rider earns points through their regular class placings in Knowledge Test, Sorting, Ranch Trail, Heading & Healing Roping, and Reined Cow Horse.

All individual scores contribute to a combined team total

Top three teams will be recognized with prizes and awards

This tournament is about more than ribbons — it's about team spirit, leadership, and building friendships. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned rider, everyone plays a valuable role in helping their team succeed.

Team champions will be announced at the final awards ceremony, with special prizes and recognition for the highest scoring teams.

2025 Stall Sign Contest

We’re excited to introduce a Stall Sign Contest at this year’s Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse Finals!

All participants—regardless of whether you have a stall—are invited to enter. During the show, attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite stall sign, and the top three entries will receive prizes.

Please review the guidelines and requirements below before participating.

Sign Requirements:

  • Size: Signs must be 8.5" x 11"

  • Material: Must be made entirely out of paper

    • No wood, metal, stall decorations, or 3D structures outside of paper

Acceptable Techniques:

  • Origami

  • Scrapbookingng

  • Paper Marbling

  • Quillingng

  • Paper Flowers

  • Collage

  • Decoupage

Acceptable Materials:

  • Paper

  • Paint

  • Markers

  • Colored Pencils

  • Crayons

  • Glue

  • Photos

  • Magazines

2025 Photo Contest

We’re excited to announce a Photo Contest at this year’s event!

Participants will have the opportunity to take photos during the show and post them to social media using a special event hashtag, which will be announced at the show.

Once the hashtag is live, participants and attendees can vote by liking their favorite photos. The top three most-liked photos will win prizes!

Additional Details:

  • Participants may use a family member’s or friend’s social media account to submit their photo if needed.

  • Photos must be taken during the event and posted using the official hashtag.

Hotel Accomadations

The Crystal Inn Hotel in Great Falls is offering discounted rates for all families, friends, and participants of the Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse Finals. The Crystal Inn offers easy high access, trailer parking, hot breakfast, a pool, and is pet friendly (pet fee applies).

Call to make your reservation and mention MT 4-H Horse Show to get the discounted rate!

The Crystal Inn is located at 3701 31st St SW, Great Falls, MT 59404.

(406) 727-7788

https://www.crystalinngreatfalls.com/

2025 Patterns & Draw

2025 Working Ranch Horse Show Patterns 

 

Draw Coming Soon