Starter HT & CT

March 2021 Notes from the Course Designer

All courses for the first starter of the year will be open and inviting using mainly the more natural fences and logs.

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MDHT Starter Horse Trials Series

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 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 your own 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 Entry Form.

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 (10/30-10/31) 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:

Intro: USDF 2019 Introductory Test A - small arena (20m x 40m) (Walk, Trot)

Elementary: USDF 2019 Introductory Test C - small arena (20m x 40m) (Walk, Trot, and Canter)

Beginner Novice: USEF 2018 BN Eventing Test A- small arena (20m x 40m)

Novice: USEF 2018 Novice Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Training: USEF 2018 Training Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Modified: USEF 2018 Modified Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Preliminary: USEF 2018 Preliminary Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

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

NEW ENTRY PROCEDURES:

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

(View Compete Easy Tutorials for changes & scratches, etc)

• You can enter, scratch, change horse, rider or level until the final closing date, without having to contact the secretary. There is a $25 scratch fee. There is no change fee until after closing.
• After the final closing date, you will contact the secretary to make changes. Changes are $25 for horse, rider or moving up a level; dropping down a level 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.

COMPETE EASY TUTORIALS

how to use Compete Easy

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 $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).
• Stabling: $50 per night. Initial bag of shavings included. Additional $10/bag. 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: $10/bag
• Change Fee: No charge until final closing date. $25/change after final closing date (dropping down a level is free).
• Office+Scratch Fee: $25/entry (nonrefundable, included in cost of entry).
• Non-Compete Horse Fee: $60 per horse. Include Coggins of non-compete horse with 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).
• Returned Check Fee: $50
• Camping: $50 per night for electric hook-up.

REFUND POLICY:

• 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.

OTHER RULES and NOTES

• You must print two 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 The number of spaces left will be shown in the event details on Compete Easy.
• Scheduling requests must be submitted AT LEAST one week before event. Not all requests can be fulfilled. Put your requests in the Notes field on 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 at com and on Compete Easy.
• Vet and farrier will be on Inquire for number at office if not posted on Compete Easy or with course maps.
• No unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind allowed on course or near dressage
• NO unleashed dogs. Unleashed dogs will incur $100 fine and competitor

EVENT CONTACT INFORMATION

• Location: Loch Moy Farm, 1235 Park Mills Road, Adamstown, MD 21710
• Email: mdhorsetrials@gmail.com
• Phone: 301-514-0111
• Website: themarylandhorsetrials.com

Enter at:

Compete Easy

Team Competitions at Starter Trials

Form your own teams of 3 or 4 different horse and rider combinations to compete for prizes and medals to be awarded following the October 30-October 31 Championship 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

Additional Rules:

• Each team must have 3 or 4 different riders. We can no longer accept teams with one rider on two horses. (A rider can ride different horses for different teams. Reach out and make new friends to form a second team!)
• Each rider should keep the same horse for the whole One (1) horse change per rider will be allowed in the event of lameness, illness, sale, etc. Email secretary to declare horse change before the horse’s first competition as part of the team.
• Elimination of one rider at an event does not eliminate the team.
• A rider/horse combination is eligible for points at a given event even if the rest of the team does not participate in that event
• Combined Tests, Dressage Only and Fix-A-Tests do not count toward team standings or participation.