About the Bred to Event Classic Qualifiers & Championship
The Bred to Event Classic provides a structured pathway for the development and evaluation of young event horses.
Aligned with the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation’s mission to support the future of the sport, the program invests in both breeders and young horses, providing a platform to showcase the quality and potential of horses from yearlings through five-year-olds.
Following the conclusion of the USEA Future Event Horse program, the Bred to Event Classic was created to help fill an important gap, offering a meaningful and competitive pathway for young horse development. The program was shaped with the guidance of respected horsemen and women, including Robin Walker, Peter Gray, Chris Ryan, and Susan Graham-White.
The series includes two qualifiers and a Championship, with the final qualifier held in conjunction with the Championship, creating a progressive and competitive structure for developing horses.
Divisions are offered for yearlings, two-, three-, four-, and five-year-olds, with awards recognizing Maryland-bred, Thoroughbred, and U.S.-bred horses. Prize money is distributed among breeders, owners, and riders.
The Bred to Event Classic is supported by title sponsor Horse Sport MD.
Calendar
August 2026
October 2026
Sport horses bred in Maryland compete successfully at the highest levels of every equestrian sport discipline — English and Western, mounted and in-hand – and at every level of competition – from local schooling shows to the Paris Olympics. HSM’s mission includes promoting Maryland Sport Horses to competitors and trainers, maintaining the Maryland Sport Horse Registry, and encouraging professional training and continuing education.
Rules & Guidelines
- All horses must be registered with a breed association and must provide proper identifying papers to verify age.
- Due to the time constraints of required performances, there is a limit of 15 entrants in each division.
- Entrants will be chosen based on their timestamped entry form.
- If certain divisions are not filled, there may be potential to take more horses in other divisions.
- Entry information is listed under each calendar date.
Bred To Event score sheets are unique to this series. Individual scoresheets will be provided to competitors after the competition, and a comparative scoresheet showing scores for all the horses in the competition will be posted on the scoreboard. For each age group Championships, the top two horses from each age will be named as Champion and Reserve Champion. The horse that scored the highest percentage in his/her original class will be named the Champion; the horse that scored the second highest percentage in his/her original class will be named Reserve Champion. If there are two (or more) horses with the same score—i.e. “tied scores” then yearlings and 2-year-olds ties will be broken by highest general impression score and 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds will use highest jumping score. If there is still a tie, the judge will decide the winner.
- All payments must be completed on Compete Easy.
- No checks, no cash, no website or Venmo payment.
- Refunds: Scratch through the final close date with a refund less $25 office/scratch fee. AFTER THE FINAL CLOSING DATE, NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS WILL BE ISSUED – NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Wait List: If there is a wait list, a refund or credit less the $25 office/scratch 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.
- Use standard bio security practices:
- Don’t let horses touch or share equipment, drink out of the same bucket, etc.
- If your horse has a fever, don’t come.
- Don’t touch other people’s horses.
- Wash your hands frequently if you must touch other horses e.g. a trainer with multiple students who don’t board in the same barn.
- The EDCC recommends a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for out of state horses and a health declaration for all. We encourage people to take temps and do a self assessment. Safety for all. One wash stall open.
- Check for the most recent outbreak reports at: equinediseasecc.org/alerts
- NO unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind on course or near dressage
- NO unleashed dogs. $100 fine if violated.
Announcements
There are no new announcements.
Class Descriptions & Schedule
Class 1: Yearling In Hand Qualifier
Class 2: Two-Year-Old In Hand Qualifier
Class 3: Three-Year-Old In Hand Qualifier
Horses will be judged in hand for their conformation and walk, then turned loosed in the jump chute to judge the trot and canter.
Championship Eligibility: Must score at least a 7.5 in conformation
Class 4: Yearling In Hand Championships
Top 10 from each Qualifier to qualify
Horses will be judged by two championship judges on movement using the same format as the qualifier. The conformation score will carry over from their qualifier and scores added to place the winner.
Class 5: Two-Year-Olds In Hand Championships
Top 10 from each Qualifier to qualify
Horses will be judged by two championship judges on movement using the same format as the qualifier. The conformation score will carry over from their qualifier and scores added to place the winner.
Class 6: Three-Year-Old Championships
Top 10 from each Qualifier to qualify
Horses will show themselves over the jumps in the jump chute (see rules for jumping specifications). The previous Qualifier’s movement and conformation scores will carry over and added to the jumping score to determine the winner.
Class 7A: Four-Year-Old Qualifier A
For 4-year-olds that are not ready to do XC jumps. Their Championship day jumping will be free schooled in the jump chute.
Horses will be shown under saddle in small groups for basic gaits. At the end of the class, they will remove the tack and be judged for conformation.
Championship Eligibility: Must score at least a 7.5 in conformation
Class 7B: Four Year Old Qualifier B
For 4-year-olds who have more experience in jumping under saddle.
Horses will be ridden in small groups Under Saddle to show basic gaits and then be judged on conformation at end of class. Afterwards, they will jump a short Derby course.
Championship Eligibility: Must score at least a 7.5 in conformation.
Class 8: Five-Year-Olds Qualifier
Horses will be ridden in small groups Under Saddle to show basic gaits and then be judged on conformation at end of class. Afterwards, they will jump a short Derby course.
Championship Eligibility: Must score at least a 7.5 in conformation
Class 9A: Four-Year-Old Championship A
Top 10 from Class 7A to qualify
Horses will be judged by two Championship judges over fences in the Jump Chute. The previous Qualifiers movement and conformation scores will carry over and added to the jumping score to determine the winner.
Class 9B: Four-Year-Old Championship B
Top 10 from Class 7B, who jumped the short Derby course on Saturday
Horses will do a short dressage test, and then do a Derby course, with an Open Gallop at the end of the course.
Class 10: Five-Year-Old Championship
Top 10 from Class 8
Horses will do a short dressage test, and then do a Derby course, with an Open Gallop at the end of the course.
Documents/Score Sheets
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