XDerby Series

The MDHT XDerby will follow USEF rules for Cross Country dress and tack. You must wear ASTM/SEI approved helmet, protective vests, and a medical armband. Willful delay will be enforced. You may enter more than one level but would be expected not to enter your horses less than one level below which they are currently competing. You may enter the same level twice, but only the first course will be judged.  No coaching during competition, but highly encouraged in our schooling sessions.

There will be an audible signal to start. Fall of horse or rider during jumping phase is immediate elimination and you must leave the course.

• Knock Down – 10 points
• 1st Refusal – 10 points
• 2nd Refusal – 20 points
• 3rd refusal – 30 points
• Fall of Competitor or Horse – Elimination
• 4 Refusals on Whole Course – Elimination
• Skipping or missing a fence – Elimination
• Willful Delay, as defined by USEF rules – 8 points
• A circle between fences will count as a refusal. A circle before Fence 1 after crossing the flags is allowed but will count against time. Crossing start flags a second time in this instance only is permitted if space is required.
• Exceeding time limit – Elimination
• Leaving course (arena) – Elimination
• Not going through start or finish flags – Elimination
• Unauthorized assistance – Elimination
• Combinations numbered “AB” will be as per Stadium Rules, i.e., if “B” is refused, “A” must be re-jumped on second presentation.

• Optimum time (OPT) and course length will be posted for each division.
• Time starts/ends when horse and rider go through the start/finish flags.
• Any actions/events involving horse, rider or other persons not laid out herein are understood to be governed by the 2025 USEF eventing rules.
• We schedule at 2-minute intervals but please be ready before your time in case we move along faster.
• 8 Ribbons per division 
• Scoring: Jumping penalties are added to the time penalties to determine placing for each division. Closest to optimum time with lowest jump and time penalties wins. Ties are broken by lowest jump penalties or, if jump penalties are equal, by being closest to optimum time without going over.

Please note – unsportsmanlike conduct directed towards anyone (horse or human) at any time will result in removal from the competition and show grounds. This applies to competitors, parents/guardians, and coaches.

• Compete as part of a team for a chance to win additional prizes.
• Teams are made up of three or four riders.
• If three riders, all scores count toward the team score.
• If four riders, the lowest score is dropped.
• Riders may ride multiple horses for one team (limit of 2).
• Horse substitutions are allowed in the event of lameness, sale, etc. Notify Secretary in advance for permission to change ([email protected]).
• A rider’s elimination does not eliminate the team.
• The top team gets prizes, including your names engraved on a perpetual trophy.
• Team must participate in at least two XDerbies.
• Lowest cumulative score wins.
• Logs & Crossrails Division is not eligible for team points.
• Email [email protected] with Rider names, Horse names and Team name.
• Team members must be declared before the January XDerby.

• 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 least 3 days prior to closing date at [email protected] for entry instructions.

• XDerby Refund Policy: Through closing date – full refund, less $25 office fee. After late closing date – no refunds, credits or transfers. If there is a wait list, full refunds (minus $25 office fee) will be issued to any scratch whose spot can be filled off the wait list.

• Any returned check for extra rounds or other activities will be subject to a $50 returned check fee – no exceptions.

• We must RECEIVE your entry and payment by the final closing date. If space is available, entries submitted/paid for after the final closing date, will pay a $50 late fee. Compete Easy does not allow you to submit incomplete entries. However, anyone with a rejected coggins will be charged a $25 late paperwork fee if the coggins has not been approved by the late closing date. PLEASE check your email frequently!

• In the interest of horse and rider welfare and safety, the weather forecast will be taken into account after the final closing date. A sufficiently unfavorable forecast will cancel OR postpone the event. If we cancel the event, a full refund will be given minus a $25 office fee through Compete Easy.

• LIMITED SPACE available. Sign up early! Our XDerbies frequently fill BEFORE the closing date!
  • We will be restricting the sizes for each schooling and division.
• A schooling period will be offered before each division. There will only be a short arena familiarization before the Logs & Crossrails division.
• No unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind allowed on course.
• Print pinny numbers from Compete Easy app. Please bring a pinny holder.
• Ride times will be posted through the Compete Easy app and online. You will also be emailed a schedule with schooling sessions.
• Vet and Farrier will be on call.
• Current Negative Coggins required with entry form. We do not keep coggins on file. All entries with a missing or invalid coggins after the late closing date will incur a $25 late paperwork fee. Failure to provide a valid coggins by the show date will cancel your entry with no refund.
• NO unleashed dogs. Unleashed dogs will incur $100 fine and competitor elimination

• 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