About this event
The event starts with the Horse Knowledge Test on iCEV (60 points); its question count and time are not printed. Students then place eight halter and performance classes, about 12 to 15 minutes each (400 points), and two video Cull/Keep classes where they keep the best 4 of 8 runs (100 points). Next come four oral reasons, two halter and two performance (200 points). The team then does two hands-on practical activities, such as hay selection or lameness, with up to 10 minutes each (100 points), and a written scenario with 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to present, plus judges' questions (100 points). Team size is not printed, but the points show four members, and all four scores count: 760 points per student and 3,240 per team. Open to grades 7-12 under the general rules. FFA Official Dress is highly recommended; black slacks and black boots are fine for selection and reasons. Bring two sharpened No. 2 pencils. FFA supplies a clipboard, paper and an AQHA score sheet, and no pre-printed materials are allowed. Cull/Keep classes rotate by year; odd years use Working Cow Horse and Hunter Hack. State winners advance to the national event held with the 100th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct 27 to 30, 2027, in Indianapolis.
FormatTest + Skills
DurationKnowledge test not stated, 8 selection classes about 12 to 15 min each, Cull/Keep and oral reasons not stated, 2 practicals up to 10 min each, team scenario 10 min prep plus 10 min presentation
Solo or teamTeam of 4
CategoryAnimal Systems
Your plan
How to study
Built from the official handbook. Take the check and read every lesson here with no account; a free account keeps your progress and opens flashcards, practice and full exams.
Find your weakest area
Take the 8-question check below: one question from each of the 8 biggest areas. It tells you where to start.
Start the checkLearn every area
Every area of the official handbook is below. Each has a short lesson, flashcards and practice, plus free reading.
See the areasPractice until every bar is full
Practice gives you one question at a time and leans toward the areas you miss. Your readiness meter fills as you get them right in every area.
PracticeTake a full-length exam
50 questions, a practice length. Your readiness meter counts your last 3 full exams from the past 30 days, and 90% fills each one.
Take a practice examRehearse the presentation
Type or say your presentation. The judge scores it on the official scorecard and times you against the 10-minute limit.
Get judged on your presentation
The areas of the exam
Equine Industry
Equine Diseases
Breed Identification
Equine Management
Anatomy & Physiology
Halter class placing
Performance class placing
Cull/Keep video classes
Oral reasons
Practical activities (hay, injections, lameness, shoeing tools)
Team scenario problem solving
Start here
Find your weakest area
8 questions, one from each of the 8 biggest areas of the Horse Evaluation exam. Each one is graded the moment you answer, with the reason, and the last screen tells you which area to study first. No account needed.
Judging
What judges score
Team scenario, organization and content
- Introduction of team members5
- Overview of scenario5
- Presentation of key components10
- Solution is relevant to the scenario10
- Presentation contains accurate information10
- Conclusion summarizes the presentation10
- Questions and answers10
Team scenario, presentation
- Spoke articulately without hesitation5
- Extremely well-poised5
- Eye contact with the judge5
- Confident body language5
Team scenario, teamwork
- Each member contributed to the presentation10
- Members supported each other10
Exam day
What to expect
The written exam
Official format: Knowledge test not stated, 8 selection classes about 12 to 15 min each, Cull/Keep and oral reasons not stated, 2 practicals up to 10 min each, team scenario 10 min prep plus 10 min presentation.
Written from the handbook
The exam covers the areas the event's handbook lists, from the references it names. Practice questions here are drawn from the same areas.
How you advance
How many advance from districts to states and on to the National FFA Convention & Expo (National Convention) depends on your association's rules. Study the official handbook: it lists every part of the event and how each is scored.
Exam format
- TeamTeam of 4
Competition levels: District Career Development Events, then State Career Development Events, then National FFA Convention & Expo
Official reference books
Listed in the official FFA handbook. Your school or public library may have them.
- The HORSE, current edition, by J. Warren Evans, Anthony Borton, Harold F. Hintz and L. Dale Van Vleck, W. H. Freeman and Company (paid book)
- Competitive Horse Judging, First Edition, by James C. Heird and The American Quarter Horse Association, The American Quarter Horse Association, 1990
- Black Hawk Horse Judging Manual, Black Hawk College bookstore (paid book)
- Official judging guides and audiovisuals from the breed associations
Guidelines and resources
Bookmark to saveCurated by ChapterPrep. Free unless noted. External links open in a new tab.