2026 Dover Saddlery MDHT Highland Series Horse Trials Presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS)

MDHT's Official Un-Recognized Horse Trial Series

GREAT PRIZES FOR HIGHLAND SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP!!

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION DAYS

SATURDAY - Modified, Training & Novice

SUNDAY - Beginner Novice, Starter & Introductory

Championship:  In order to qualify for a Championship division, the same horse/rider combination must place 1st - 6th in at least 2 of the 2026 Highland events (March 21-October 11), 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.

NOTE - A minimum of three entries are needed to hold a Championship Division. Junior and Adult/Open divisions may be combined based on entries.

Judges: TBD

Highland Horse Trials Days

SAUTRDAY  - Intro through Modified

SUNDAY - Intro through Novice

Combine Test Days

Saturday ONLY!  - We will only be offering combined tests on Saturday (October 31). 

NO DRESSAGE ONLY OPTION

Costume Contest!

Costumes encourged for this event in all divisions! Judging will take place during the dressage phase (NOTE - dressage rules still apply in terms of no bell boots or leg wraps?). One prize per level each day for Best Costume (Leadline through Modified)!

Additional Information

Dressage Tests for Highland Horse Trials Divisions

Green Rider (Leadline): 2023 Leadline Walk Trot Test A  (20m x 40m) (Walk, Trot)

Intro: USDF 2023 Introductory Test A - small arena (20m x 40m) (Walk, Trot)

Starter: 2022 USEA Starter Test - small arena (20m x 40m) (Walk, Trot, and Canter)

Beginner Novice: USEF 2022 BN Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Novice: USEF 2022 Novice Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Training: USEF 2022 Training Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Modified: USEF 2022 Modified Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

Preliminary: USEF 2022 Preliminary Eventing Test A - small arena (20m x 40m)

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

Championships Divisions!

All Dressage tests for the championships divisions will be the 'B' test (with the exception of the Starter division) Please view the links below.

Intro Championships: USDF 2023 Introductory Test B - small arena (20m x 40m)

Starter Championships:  2022 USEA Starter Test - small arena (20m x 40m)

Beginner Novice Championships: USEF 2022 BN Eventing Test B - small arena (20m x 40m)

Novice Championships: USEF 2022 Novice Eventing Test B - small arena (20m x 40m)

Training Championships: USEF 2022 Training Eventing Test B - small arena (20m x 40m)

Modified Championships: USEF 2022 Modified Eventing Test B - small arena (20m x 40m)

Jump Heights:

Preliminary-Modified: 3'7" Stadium, 3'5" Cross Country

Modified: Max 3'5"

Training: Max 3'3"

Novice: Max 2'11"

Beginner Novice: Max 2'7"

Starter: 2' - 2'3"

Intro: 18" - 2'

Green Riders: small logs and cross rails ONLY

Cross-Country

All division jump heights will remain the same as the normal horse trials. Cross country for the Championships divisions may have additional "Championships only" fences. Please make sure you review the correct cross country map.  

Championship Schedule

Championships divisions will compete in an alternate show format. All championships riders will complete dressage first, followed by cross country, and finish with showjumping. This will allow our riders to participate in an awards ceremony, podium, and victory lap in the competition arena.

ENTRY PROCEDURES:

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

• You can enter, scratch, change horse, rider or level until the closing date for free, without having to contact the secretary.
• After the early-bird closing date, you will contact the secretary to make changes. Changes are $25 for horse or rider; changing to lower levels 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.

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS

Watch a video about how to enter here: Enter an Event

Watch our whole video series about how to enter, scratch or make changes to your entry: Compete Easy Videos

FEE SCHEDULE:

• Payment: All payments must be completed on Compete Easy. No checks, no cash, no website or Venmo payment.
• Horse Trial: $175 (early-bird fee before closing date is $150); Entries after the final closing date will be assessed a $50 late fee if we can fit the entry!!
• Championship Divisions: $220 (early-bird fee before closing date is $195); Entries after the final closing date will be assessed a $50 late fee if we can fit the entry!!
• Leadline Division: $120
• Combined Test: $100 CTs are pinned if there are 3 or more starters at a level; otherwise HC (no ribbon).
• Stabling:  $60 per night. Shavings $12/bag (no free bag included). Muck deposit of $25 per stall, returned if stall is stripped and swept clean. Please check out at the 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: $12/bag
• Show Change Fee: N/A - we are not able to move entries to future dates.
• Office Fee: $25/entry (nonrefundable, included in cost of entry)
• Non-Compete Horse Fee: $50 per horse. Include Coggins of non-compete horse with entry. Bridle number will be issued and must be worn while the horse is on grounds. (Bring a used or universal bridle number tag! We will not give out bridle numbers).
• Camping: $75 per night for electric hook-up. (LQ trailer or camper, no extra trailer). All trailers must be parked in designated satellite lot unless otherwise instructed.
• Late Coggins: $25 per horse. late fee assessed for all paperwork not received by the late closing date. You will not be able to ride until all fees are paid and all paperwork is received. Ride times will be withheld from any rider that fails to provide both payment and a current Coggins by Wednesday night prior to the event.
• Entries submitted via Email after late closing: any entry received after the late closing date will be assessed a $50 late fee for ANY class. Paperwork must be received to create the entry. The show secretary reserves the right to deny any late entries that do not provide all up to date information, paperwork, or payment. Entries after late closing are not guaranteed if they cannot seamlessly fit into the schedule.
• Returned Check Fee: $50

REFUND POLICY:

• Refunds: Scratch through the early-bird close date with a refund less $25 office fee. AFTER THE FINAL CLOSING DATE, NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS WILL BE ISSUED.
• Wait list: If there is a wait list, a refund or credit less the $25 office 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.
• 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

• Mandatory Printed Pinny Numbers – To ensure safety, clear identification, and accurate scoring for our jump judges, volunteers, and photographers, printed pinny numbers are required for all Highland Series competitions. Handwritten numbers are often difficult to read at speed and from a distance, which can impact scoring and coverage. In addition, this policy supports our valued pinny sponsor, Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS), whose partnership helps make the Highland Series possible. Handwritten pinny numbers will not be permitted in any phase (dressage, show jumping, or cross-country).

  What you need to know:
  • Riders must print their pinny numbers before arriving on grounds, or
  • Arrive early enough to stop by the show office to have numbers printed. Printed numbers will be available in the office for $5
  • Riders may choose to use a bridle number (provided by the rider) for the dressage phase only.
  • Thank you for helping us keep the competition running safely, smoothly, and professionally—we appreciate your cooperation and support.

• Don’t wait until the closing date to enter! We fill early. The number of spaces left will be shown in the event details on Compete Easy.
• Scheduling requests must be submitted with your entry. Not all requests can be fulfilled. Put your requests in your Compete Easy entry!
• Riders may enter up to two horses into the event. If a rider would like to enter more than two horses, please email the show secretary. If a rider is competing more than one horse in a single day, we recommend that they bring a groom. Not all multi-entries may fit in a schedule if classes do not fill. If a rider enters more than two horses for the same competition day without secretary approval they will NOT be entitled to a refund. 
• Enter Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) numbers, series team names, and requests for accommodation where specified. TIP must be done in advance of closing date. All other notes and requests should go in the Notes field.
• Ride times will be posted on the THURSDAY before the show on the homepage at themarylandhorsetrials.com.
• Vet and farrier will be on call. Numbers will be posted at stabling and on the scoreboard. Inquire for number at the office if help is needed.
• We follow the USEF/USEA Rules for Recognized Horse Trials throughout the competition. This includes an inquiry period following the initial posting of the scores. A Technical Delegate will be available to discuss your scores. 
• Erin Gilmore Photography is our official event photographer for the Highland series. No other professional photography is permitted. 
• No unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind (including e-bikes) are allowed on course or near dressage area.
• NO unleashed dogs. Unleashed dogs will incur $100 fine and competitor elimination.