Riders | Appalachian Trainer

Approved Riders for Rider Wars

Riders:

Riders gather points from the start of the competition.

Final scoring from Judges during the ATFO, either in person or virtually, is August 21st.

Winners will receive an award package and all riders who finish the full program receive 5% a portion off adoption fees (winners receive a higher discount of 10%) of adoptable horses at Heart of Phoenix.

Riders must meet the same MENTOR (unless schedule conflicts prevent it) 4 times withint the competition. RIDERS cover their costs and the lesson fees. MENTOR fees will be uniform across all of those taking part and shared before the event starts. Riders do not have to own a horse, but they must be able to take lessons at least twice a month with a lesson provider they find locally.

2026

1) Amanda Fanger
2) Daniel Allen
3) Sarah Jo Huffman
4) Dawn Holland
5) Jessica McClung
6) Jami S

Deadlines and Details for 2026

*Select mentor, contact and confirm they can accept you. You do pay mentors a session fee, unless they waive it. Plan for 1.5-2 hours.

* May 19th, 8 p.m.

Scored riding video based on pattern

* Share your t-shirt link once is up

* Meet 30/60/90/110 day (starting may 1st, and you have 1-7 days from those deadlines to post including "required post" when you share it. Do try to share a lot of your journey!

* June 1st

First mentor session logged

*July 1st

Second mentor session logged

*August 1st

Third mentor session logged

*Before August 20th

Fourth mentor session logged

Mentor sessions can be done early, too, but try to space at least 2 weeks between

*Maintain at least 2 lessons with your regular lesson provider monthly (they will need to verify these)

*Complete quiz between Aug 1-15th

Extras: online clinics, classes and in person audits and clinics count for extra points (will link below in comments for this)

*You must make at least the 4 required posts with video (2-10 minutes), ideally with video or a paragraph or more of what you’re working on, struggling with or excelling.

You need to focus on what the mentors advised when you film these videos

You cannot film and share TOO many videos. The more you post, the more valuable feedback you get.

50% of your BASE score will be from your in-person competition score.

Competition is Friday, August 21 at Winfield. You source the horse you ride on your own this year. You will be responsible for stall fee and transport.

This event is about Horsemanship and improving it, and in order to ride well, you must understand saddle fit, feet, body, ground work and presence, as well as a horse’s varying emotional compass. The person is always the issue. If this aren’t going well with the horse – look in the mirror.

You MUST continue in your current lesson program (you must be in a lesson program, we must verify lessons at the end of the event, at least twice a month, and the lesson provider cannot be your mentor).

You have signed this code of conduct and signed the waiver
https://form.jotform.com/251266141857055

If you do not meet deadlines, you CANNOT, no matter the reason, receive full points. If you miss ANY video submissions, you cannot take part in the in person competition.

You agree to abide by all HOP decisions on which events, clinics and clinicians we approve for scoring.

Riders must be no more than 20% of the horses’ body weight with tack for all videos and the competition

Rider Wars Scoring Framework:

Event Performance: 100 Points