The American Tradition Of Excellence Equitation Challenge, Presented by Whitethorne

NOT TO COUNT TOWARDS USEF / USHJA HOTY OR ZONE AWARDS

June 17-19, 2024, at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano, CA

Judges: Frank Madden (Wellington, FL) and Missy Clark (Warren, VT)

CLASS #800 – THE AMERICAN TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE EQUITATION CHALLENGE, presented by Whitethorne LLC: Three phase event, to be held during Blenheim June Classic 2 in the Grand Prix Ring • ENTRY & ELIGIBILITY:  Open to all Junior and Amateur riders who are current members of PCHA; Riders who have won a National Equitation Final at 3’6” or greater are not eligible (USEF Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay Finals, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, WIHS Championships); Entry Fee: $325 payable to Blenheim EquiSports • COURSES:  Fences 3’3″; • SCHOOLING:  USHJA Equitation Task Force Schooling Rules apply 30 mins prior to the start & throughout each jumping phase; the same horse must be used in both phases.

CLASS #701 WARM-UP – MONDAY AT 1:30 p.m.: Open to all registered riders and trainers of the Eq Challenge – riders may compete more than one horse, however must declare which horse they are competing by the end of the warm-up class; Proper attire required; Posted order; 90 seconds; Must jump designated course of fences 3’3”; 3 refusals eliminates rider; must use designated warm-up area; $75.00

MANDATORY RIDER/TRAINER MEETING – TUESDAY AT 9:00, after course walk – location TBA

PHASE ONE – TUESDAY AT 10:30 a.m.: Over fences format using open numerical scoring system; two judges delivering one score; course to consist of Equitation Type Course using fences and track similar to a National Final with fences set at 3’3″. Judges are paired with a scribe who keeps track of Judges’ comments on a comment card given to competitor prior to the evening Forum. Order of Go – Random Draw;

PHASE TWO – TUESDAY AT 5:45 p.m., Doors Open @ 5 p.m.: Mandatory participation by riders and trainers for an evening social & video presentation followed by a Q&A between the judges, trainers, and riders. Presentation by Mental Skills Coach also included. Location: The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

PHASE THREE – WEDNESDAY AT 8 a.m.: All riders from Phase One who received a score are invited to compete in Phase Three (second over fences round) – upon reverse order of score. Should a rider who was eliminated in PHASE ONE wish to compete they will be eligible to ride at the beginning of the start order however will not be considered for an award. Over fences format using open numerical scoring system; two Judges delivering one score. Course to consist of Equitation Type Course using fences and track similar to a National Final with fences set at 3’3″. Judges are paired with a scribe who keeps track of Judges’ comments on a comment card which will be given to competitor upon completion of the Final Phase. Phase One and Phase Three (second over fences round) Scores added together for final score; Ties are broken by the score received in Phase Three; Additional Testing of the Top 6; Work-off scored using a numerical scoring system, however not to be announced – only noted along with Judges’ comments on comment card and will be added to the Phase One and Phase Three scores for a total final score.  Ribbons and Awards to Tenth; Winning Trainer to receive $10,000; Winning Rider to receive a Butet Saddle.  Additional Awards will be presented.  Press Conference will follow.