Denise Connelly and Snip Winner of the MDHT Spring 09 Short Course Series!!
 

 

The Maryland Horse Trials, LLC SHORT COURSE EVENT SERIES: 2009

2009 Fall Series begins Sept. 12, 2009

(You may fax entries to 301-874-0968)

 

Short Course Eventing/Event Derby compliments the sport of Horse Trials. It is a variation of the Combined Test concept by including Stadium Jumps in the Cross Country Course. Riders begin with a Dressage Test, followed by the combined jumping course. Jumping begins with Stadium fences on our grass Cross Country Course, then without stopping, continues out over solid cross country jumps, and back to finish over more Stadium fences.

The Maryland Horse Trials Short Course offers four levels of competition each increasing in distance and difficulty: Elementary (for Riders or Horse new to the sport of Eventing this year), Beginner Novice, Novice and Training Levels. Jumping efforts listed below are Stadium and Cross Country combined. You may enter multiple divisions, i.e., Beg. Novice and Novice for the same horse and rider.

Individual jumping rounds and dressage tests are also available.
 

Level

Max Height

Jumping Efforts

Dressage
Test
Elementary Cross Rail/Oxer & Vertical/Small log 2 ft. 6-10 Beg Novice A
Beginner Novice 2 feet 7 inches 8-12 Beg Novice B
Novice 2 feet 11 inches 10-14 Novice A
Training 3 feet 3 inches 12-16 Training A

Scoring and Rules

Dressage Phase:  Dressage tests will be the current tests published in the 2009 USEA Omnibus. Jump heights and dimensions as per current event levels.  Times will be assigned for Dressage tests. Readers for dressage tests will be permitted. Dressage is scored by a penalty point system.  Any exit of the arena during the test will result in elimination.

Jumping Phase:  There will be an audible signal to start.  No salute is required. No schooling of course permitted on day of event. Circles on course will be scored as refusals, EXCEPT at the Elementary or BN level, you may circle in the open to slow, but not once you have approached a fence. Fall of horse during jumping phase is immediate elimination and you must leave the course. Fall of rider while jumping (during approach or landing of a fence) is elimination and you must leave the course.

  • Knock Down -- 4 points
  • 1st Refusal -- 20 points
  • 2nd Refusal at same fence -- 40 points
  • 3rd refusal same fence {E}
  • Fall of Horse {E}
  • 4 Refusals in Whole Course {E}
  • Riders must wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet and body protector.
  • A medical armband is recommended.

Combinations numbered "AB" will be as per Stadium Rules, i.e., if "B" is refused, "A" must be re-jumped on second presentation.

Scoring:  Penalties in jumping are added to Dressage Penalty Score to determine placing for each division. Lowest Score wins.  Ties will be broken by the better score in Jumping Phase. If still tied, the better score in the Rider Section of the Dressage Phase will break tie.

Tack and Dress:  Tack and dress will be as per the USEA Horse Trial rules with the following changes:

Jumping Phase:  Show coats optional for dressage and jumping.  Shirts must have sleeves and collars (no T-shirts or sleeveless shirts). Boots and breeches are to be worn, no chaps of any kind. There are no tack checks, however, an official can inspect tack if one is suspect of illegal equipment with elimination as a potential penalty.

All horses must have a current negative coggins submitted with entry.
NEW RULE:  Competing in Elementary division is for first year only, horse or rider. You may show in Elementary more than one year, but may not qualify for year-end awards.

For Our Winner: 
Our winner will receive the beautiful silver plated tray engraved with the wording, "MDHT Short Course Series Champion". 

This beautiful trophy will be awarded to the participant who achieves the lowest combined penalty score of all three shows in a series, one given at the end of the 3rd Spring event and another one given at the end of the 3rd Late Summer/Fall event. (Again), this competitor must have participated in all three shows of a series to be eligible to win.

The first six place competitors of each division will receive a ribbon.

General: A farrier and vet will be on call for each of these Events.

Follow-up information on all of the above can be requested through a phone call (301-514-0111), or our Contact Us page on this website.