MDHT Highland Series HT

• We do abide by the USEA Eventing Rules for everything else, so please familiarize yourself with them. Here is the link for your convenience: Rules – USEA, United States Eventing Association, Inc. (R) US National Combined Training, Horse Trials: Dressage, Cross Country, Show Jumping | United States Eventing Association® (useventing.com)

  THERE IS NO COACHING ALLOWED while your student is
  competing!  If you are coaching, your rider will risk being eliminated
  from the competition.

• For the Highland Series, there will be a Championship on the November weekend.

• There will be a Championship division and regular divisions for each level. To run a Championship division at the Championships, there must be at least 3 qualified entries.

• Championship schedule to be determined.

• 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.

• Each qualifying score MUST equal 60.00 or fewer penalty points.

• The level the rider qualifies at will be their Championship level.

• Combined Tests do not count towards qualifying placings.

• Form teams of 3 or 4 horse and rider combinations to compete for prizes and a team trophy 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 all 4 rider/horse combinations entered in full Horse Trials. The points of top 3 riders on a team will be used to determine the team’s final score. The 4th team member’s points with the lowest score will be dropped.  CTs will not be counted. All 4 team members will be eligible for year end awards.
• 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
• Teams should be registered before the start of the first MDHT Highland Series HT of the year.  We will accept new teams until the week before the May Highland Series HT.  If adding a new rider or new team, points will not be added for previous placings. If you are planning on competing in the Fall Highland Series Horse Trials please form your teams before the May Highland Series.

MDHT Highland Series Horse Trials Instructors Recognition Program (IRP): Trainers are the teachers sharing the love of this sport. To recognize trainers’ hard work, we are offering a year end award to the top placing trainer at our events. Trainers must submit all their horse and rider combinations attending each event to our email [email protected]. Each horse and rider combination’s final placing at each show will be converted into points using the following scale:

• 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

Horse and Rider combinations that compete in the Championship Division at the final show will receive double points for the above placings. At the conclusion of the final horse trial in November, we will total all students’ points together to give the trainer one final score. The trainer with the highest score will be our 2025 Top Trainer

Just as our trainers do, our cherished lesson horses impart the passion for the sport to the next generation. To honor this, the owner’s name must be included on the entry form, and only lesson horses owned by a legitimate riding school or lesson program will qualify for this award.

1. At each event, the score of the eligible lesson horse will be recorded.

2. If a horse competes twice in a single event, the lower of the two final scores will be used.

3. Scores will accumulate throughout the Highland series, and the horse with the lowest cumulative score at the end of the final event will be named our 2025 Lesson Horse of the Year.

It is important to note that if a horse’s name changes during the year, its scores may become ineligible.

• All payments must be completed on Compete Easy.
• No checks, no cash, no website or Venmo payment.
• Certificate/vouchers holders, email the show office at [email protected] for entry instructions.

• 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.

• You must print 2 copies of your pinny number based on what is assigned to you with the ride times. Bring your numbers and pinny holder with you! Use an old bridle number or buy a universal bridle number.
• Don’t wait until closing date to enter! We fill early. 
• Scheduling requests must be submitted with your entry. Not all requests can be fulfilled. All scheduling requests should be emailed to [email protected]
• Enter Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) numbers, series team names, and requests for accommodation where specified. 
• Ride times will be posted on the THURSDAY before the show at www.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.

• 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

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