Holmes Horse Show Management

2025 ACADEMY SCHEDULE & RULES

(as of 01/01/25)

 

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Show Management reserves the right to refuse, accept conditionally or cancel any entries of any exhibitor at its discretion and require horses and entrants to vacate the premises at its discretion and without liability.  

 

Academy entries are to follow all horse show entry rules; i.e., they are due at the same time as performance entries. 

 

The following rules MUST be followed.  If violations are determined by Show Management, ALL ENTRIES from the offending barn will be disqualified and required to vacate the showgrounds.  

 

Safety is of the utmost importance!  Unruly, out of control or disruptive horses will be excused. 

 

It is strongly suggested that handlers/headers are sixteen (16) years of age or older.

 

Trainers, with multiple riders in a class that competes collectively who require/need a header, must provide multiple leaders/headers.

 

                           Horses are NOT to be led into the show ring with a lead shank attached to the bit.

Riders

• Riders are to be enrolled in a professionally run lesson program.

• Once riders show in regular performance classes, they are no longer eligible to show in Academy classes. 

        However, returning riders are eligible for WTC Academy classes after a 10-year absence from the show ring.

• Riders who have shown in a regular division, or in a suit/coat, are no longer eligible to show in Academy classes, with the exception of Show Rider classes. 

• Riders who have shown/been judged in WTC classes are no longer eligible to return to WT classes. 

• Riders who have shown/been judged in WT classes are no longer eligible to show in Lead Line. 

• Riders may not show in any performance division at the same show (except driving or in hand classes), with the exception of Show Riders. 

• Age of the rider is determined by their age as of December 1 of the previous year.

• NO earpieces allowed on riders in the show ring.   If rider is hearing impaired, medical documentation must be produced for Show Management.

• Riders who show in “elite” classes at other shows must enter the Show Rider classes since they are considered advanced riders.  

Horses

• Horses must be regularly used as lesson horses. 

• While it is preferred that horses are owned by instructors, horses may be owned or leased by riders IF they are used regularly by others as a lesson/school horse. 

• Horses shown in Academy classes cannot be in show training with a professional.  This includes horses on consignment.  Horses should not have been professionally trained within 60 days of show.

• Horses should be plain shod. (Exception may be made if corrective shoeing is needed, one pad and/or wedge is allowed for the comfort of the horse.)  The definition of “show package” will be determined by Show Management, with help from Show Farrier if needed.

• Hoof blacking is optional; no ribbon braiding allowed. 

• School horses may cross enter regular show classes at the same show. 

• Academy classes are open to mares and geldings of any breed.

Tack

• Horses are to be tacked with saddle consistent with style of riding (saddle seat, hunt seat, western). 

• Full or Pelham bridles or snaffle bridle with martingale. A martingale on a leverage bit is prohibited.

• Wraps, splint boots, bell boots are permitted if needed for the safety of the horse and in driving classes.      No blinkers allowed in under saddle classes.

Attire

• To be appropriate for the style of riding/driving. 

• Jodhpurs, breeches, dark pants, long sleeve shirt, with collar, tie, gloves, vest (sweater permissible in very cold weather) Riding suits and jackets are prohibited. Chaps and western hats are prohibited.

• Roweled spurs are not permitted. 

• All riders 17 years of age & under MUST wear protective headgear that meets or exceeds ASTM/SEI standards.  However, all riders are encouraged to wear protective headgear.

Judging

• Exhibitors are to be judged on their skill to effectively control the horse and to show the horse to its best advantage. 

• Horsemanship/Showmanship classes are judged on the rider’s performance ability – how well they show the horse and utilize the ring including correct diagonals and leads. Diagonals will count, no backing.  Rider’s ability to show is paramount.

• Equitation classes are to be judged on a rider’s basic equitation skills – riding on correct leads and diagonals, conveying the impression of effective and easy control. 

• Horses are not to back, perform an extended trot, or a hand gallop. 

• Headers are permitted in the line-up for the 10 & under riders; no towels or whips allowed. 

• The horse IS NOT to be judged.

Descriptions

• Pattern Classes – No rail work, entries to work the pattern individually.

• Novice Rider Classes – open to Academy riders who have not won 3 classes in their respective divisions (WT & WTC).  This will be on the “Honor System” as winter tournaments/barn show results are not recorded.

• Green Rider Classes – open to Academy riders in their 1st year of cantering.  

• Show Rider Classes – for advanced Academy riders or amateur/junior exhibitor riders with prior show ring experience.  A Show Rider may not return to regular Academy classes.

• Academy Driving Showmanship/Reinsmanship Classes – Open to any amateur or junior exhibitor.  Drivers may not cross enter into other driving classes at the same show but may cross enter into under saddle performance classes or other Academy classes.  Academy driver may be accompanied in the cart by an experienced adult who is not allowed to coach. Only a 2-wheel cart/buggy is permitted in driving classes.

• WT Lead Line (8 & Under) – Riders will be led in at the walk and worked each way of the ring.  They will trot individually past the judge.  Riders are expected to post but correct diagonals are not required.  Class will be judged.

Class Splits

Should class splits be necessary, the rider’s age and classification (A-Advanced, B-Beginner, C-Intermediate) must be listed on the entry form.  Entries made without split information will automatically be entered into the Advanced sections.  

• Classes should have no more than 15 entries. 

• 10 & Under WT/8 & Under WT will split at 10 entries.

• 6 & Under WT will split at 6 entries.

Class List

1. Academy Showmanship Driving

2. Academy Reinsmanship Driving (Figure 8 to be performed after rail work)

3. Show Rider Showmanship WTC

4. Show Rider Equitation WTC

5. Academy Equitation WTC, 18 & Over

6. Academy Showmanship WTC, 18 & Over 

7. Academy Equitation WTC, 14-17 

8. Academy Showmanship WTC, 14-17 

9. Academy Equitation WTC, 13 & Under

10. Academy Showmanship WTC, 13 & Under

11. Green Rider Academy Equitation WTC, All Ages 

12. Rider Academy Showmanship WTC, All Ages

13. Novice Rider Academy Equitation WTC, All Ages 

14. Novice Rider Academy Showmanship WTC, All Ages 

15. Academy Hunt Seat Equitation WTC

16. Academy Hunt Seat Showmanship WTC

17. Academy Hunt Seat Equitation WT

18. Academy Hunt Seat Showmanship WT

19. Lead Line – 8 & Under WT Equitation 

20. Lead Line – 8 & Under WT Showmanship

21. Show Rider Showmanship WT

22. Show Rider Equitation WT

222   Academy Equitation WT, 30 & Over

1.   Academy Showmanship WT, 30 & Over

2.   Academy Equitation WT, 14 & Over 

3.   Academy Showmanship WT, 14 & Over

4.   Academy Equitation WT, 11-13

5.   Academy Showmanship WT, 11-13

6.   Academy Equitation WT, 9 & 10

7.   Academy Showmanship WT, 9 & 10

8.   Academy Equitation WT, 7 &8

9.   Academy Showmanship WT, 7 & 8

10.   Academy Equitation WT, 6 & Under 

11.   Academy Showmanship WT, 6 & Under

12.   Green Rider Academy Equitation WT, All Ages 

13.   Green Rider Academy Showmanship WT, All Ages

14.   Novice Rider Academy Equitation WT, All Ages 

15.   Novice Rider Academy Showmanship WT, All Ages 

16.   Pattern Class WTC, All Ages  (no rail work)

17.   Pattern Class, WT, All Ages  (no rail work)

Academy WTC Pattern Options (class 238) – copies of patterns available in office

WTC PATTERN #1

1. On the rail to your right, trot on your right diagonal to the center of the far end of the ring and continue to trot a circle.  Halt.

2. Reverse.  Canter a circle on your right lead and continue to canter to the halfway point of the rail.

3. Show a transition to a trot on the left diagonal and exit the ring.

WTC PATTERN #2

1. On the quarter line to the right, trot to the middle of the ring on the right diagonal.  Halt.  Pivot left.

2. Canter a diagonal line to the center of the turn on the right lead.  Halt.  Pivot left.

3. Trot a circle to the left on the right diagonal.  Halt.

4. Canter to the mid-point of the opposite rail on the left lead.  Halt.

5. Trot down the remainder of the rail on the right diagonal and exit the ring.

Academy WT Pattern Options (class 239) – copies of patterns available in office

WT PATTERN #1

1. Trot down the right hand straightaway on the right diagonal to the center point of a figure eight facing the rail.

2. Continue trotting and perform a figure eight.  Trot the 1st circle to the left on the right diagonal.  Trot the 2nd circle to the right on the left diagonal.

3. Change diagonal and continue trotting from the center point of the figure eight to the left around the turn and continue trotting down the straightaway, exit the ring.

WT PATTERN #2

1. On the rail to your left, trot to the midpoint of the rail on the right diagonal.  Halt.

2. Trot to the center of the turn on the left diagonal and continue trotting a circle to the right.  Halt.

3. Trot down the next rail showing 2 diagonal changes, starting on the left diagonal.

4. Halt in the corner and exit the ring.