2023 MDHT Starter Horse Trials Series

GREAT PRIZES FOR STARTER SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP!!

Championship: For the Starter Series, there will be a Championship on the final Starter weekend. There will be a Championship division and regular divisions for each level. In order to qualify for a Championship division, the same horse/rider combination must place 1st - 6th in at least 2 of the prior Starters, at the same level. The level the rider qualifies at will be their Championship level. Combined Tests do not count towards qualifying placings.

Team Competition: Form teams of 3 or 4 horse and rider combinations to compete for prizes and medals to be awarded following the final Starter competition. Points from the three highest scoring team members will be added together to determine the total number of points at each event. Teams can be made up of horse and rider combinations from various levels. Points awarded for top 8 placings as follows:

1st place = 10 points; 2nd place = 8 points; 3rd place = 6 points; 4th place = 5 points; 5th place = 4 points; 6th place = 3 points; 7th place = 2 points; 8th place = 1 point

See complete Team rules on the Team Competition page: https://www.themarylandhorsetrials.com/starter-horse-trials/986-team-competitions-at-starter-trials

Judges: TBD

Starter Trials: The Starter Horse Trials consists of all three phases (dressage, show jumping, cross country) in an unrecognized/starter format. The trials have opening and closing dates, just like the USEF/USEA Recognized Horse Trials. The table below lists the necessary dates for the Starter Horse Trials.

* Final Starter (11/4-11/5) Competition will run championship divisions along with regular divisions for each level. Championship division schedule will be announced closer to the event.

Saturday Divisions: Preliminary-Modified (3’7” Stadium, 3’5” XC) Modified (3’5”), Training (3’3”), Novice (2’11”), Beginner Novice (2’7”)

Sunday Divisions: Novice (2’11”), Beginner Novice (2’7”), Elem (2’ – 2’3”), Intro (18” – 2’)

Horse Trials and CT Dressage Tests (note NEW USDF Intro test and NEW USEA Starter Test!):

Intro: USDF 2023 Introductory Test A - small arena (20m x 40m) (Walk, Trot)

Elementary: USEA 2022 Starter Test - small arena (20m x 40m) (Walk, Trot, and Canter)

Beginner Novice: USEF 2022 BN Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Novice: USEF 2022 Novice Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Training: USEF 2022 Training Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Modified: USEF 2022 Modified Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Preliminary: USEF 2022 Preliminary Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

**Combined tests must ride the test listed for the level. No substitutions.**

ENTRY PROCEDURES:

Entries will be accepted ONLY through Compete Easy. No paper or emailed entries.

• You can enter, scratch, change horse, rider or level until the closing date for free, without having to contact the secretary.
• After the early-bird closing date, you will contact the secretary to make changes.  Changes are $25 for horse or rider; changing levels is free.
• All early bird and final closing dates will be posted on Compete Easy.
• Compete Easy does not allow unpaid or incomplete entries. You must pay in full, submit a current coggins and digitally sign your Loch Moy Farm waiver at the time of entry.

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS

Watch a video about how to enter here: Enter an Event

Watch our whole video series about how to enter, scratch or make changes to your entry: Compete Easy Videos

FEE SCHEDULE:

• Payment: All payments must be completed on Compete Easy. No checks, no cash, no website or Venmo payment.
• Horse Trial: $150 (early-bird fee before closing date is $125);
• Combined Test: $75 (must ride the test listed for the level. No substitutions). CTs are pinned if there are 3 or more starters at a level; otherwise HC (no ribbon).
• Dressage Test of Choice (Small Arena Only): $40
• Dressage Fix-A-Test (Small Arena Only): $70
• Stabling:  $50 per night. Shavings $12/bag (no free bag included). Muck deposit of $25 per stall, returned if stall is stripped and swept clean. Please check out at secretary’s stand. All deposit refunds are done through Compete Easy.
• Included with Stabling: Come early the day before the event and hack along the river, or school the schooling course for no additional fee when stabling. Applies only to horses entered in the event.
• Shavings: $12/bag
• Show Change Fee: N/A - we are no longer able to move entries to future dates.
• Office Fee: $25/entry (nonrefundable, included in cost of entry)
• Non-Compete Horse Fee: $25 per horse. Include Coggins of non-compete horse with entry. Bridle number will be issued and must be worn while horse is on grounds. (Bring a used or universal bridle number tag! We will not give out bridle numbers).
• Camping: $50 per night for electric hook-up. (LQ trailer or camper, no extra trailer). All trailers must be parked in designated satellite lot unless otherwise instructed.

REFUND POLICY:

• Refunds: Scratch through the early-bird close date with a refund less $25 office fee. AFTER THE FINAL CLOSING DATE, NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS WILL BE ISSUED.
• Wait list: If there is a wait list, a refund or credit less the $25 office fee will be issued to any scratch whose spot can be filled off the wait list. Entries may not be transferred or sold to others if there is a wait list.
• Show cancellation: If for any reason the show is cancelled, there is no refund. Credits may be issued as circumstances allow.

OTHER RULES and NOTES

• You must print two copies of your pinny number based on what is assigned to you with the ride times. The number will also be emailed to you. Bring your numbers and pinny holder with you! Use an old bridle number or buy a universal bridle number. No bridle numbers will be given out at the show.
• Don’t wait until closing date to enter! We fill early. The number of spaces left will be shown in the event details on Compete Easy.
• Scheduling requests must be submitted with your entry. Not all requests can be fulfilled. Put your requests in your Compete Easy entry!
• Enter Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) numbers, series team names, and requests for accommodation where specified. All other notes and requests should go in the Notes field.
• Ride times will be posted on the THURSDAY before the show on the homepage at themarylandhorsetrials.com.
• Vet and farrier will be on call. Numbers will be posted at stabling and on the scoreboard. Inquire for number at office if help is needed.
• No unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind allowed on course or near dressage area.
• NO unleashed dogs. Unleashed dogs will incur $100 fine and competitor elimination.