74th Highland County Fair Horse Show
Chairpersons: Allison Ruleman & Gary Crigler
August 23, 2025
386 Myers Moon Road
Monterey, VA
Gates to Open at 7:00AM
$15 Entry Fee Day Of Show. $10 Per Class if Pre-Registered by August 16
Paybacks:1st $30, 2nd $15, 3rd $10, 4th $5
Open Judge: Tracy Garland
Hunter Judge: Lucy Gordon Cyrus
!Negative Coggins Required For Entry!
A Special “Thank You!” to our 2025 Gold Sponsors!
Blue Grass Mercantile ~ Doe Hill Veterinary Services
ProHealth Veterinary Chiropractic
American Connemara Pony Society
Erin Nolan: Burghley Bloodstock
Bar Vision ~ Winbrooke Farm ~ Melissa Dowd
Augusta Co-Op Farm Bureau
Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
Charlie Obaugh Chevrolet GMC
A Special “Thank You!” to our 2025 Gold Sponsors!
Blue Grass Mercantile
Doe Hill Veterinary Services
ProHealth Veterinary Chiropractic
American Connemara Pony Society
Erin Nolan: Burghley Bloodstock
Bar Vision
Winbrooke Farm
Melissa Dowd
Augusta Co-Op Farm Bureau
Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
Charlie Obaugh Chevrolet GMC
General Information
- Pre-Entries will open July 16 and close August 16 at midnight.
- Show management reserves the right to combine, cancel, and split classes as it deems necessary for the betterment of the competition. Classes require a minimum of 3 entries.
- Show management reserves the right to dismiss any horse for any reason including but not limited to: lameness, abuse, body condition, poor sportsmanship.
- Highland County Fair, its staff, horse show workers, and officials, will not be held responsible for any accident, illness,or loss which may occur to any exhibitor, spectator, groom, or animal at the show.-
- Six ribbons will be awarded in each class. Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons will be awarded for morning hunter divisions.
- All exhibitors must wear ASTM approved headgear at all times when showing or schooling over fences.
- The show office will be located near the ingate and will open at 8:00 AM the day of the show.
- Blue Grass Ruritan will have concessions available.
PAYMENT BY CHECK OR CASH ONLY
- $15.00/ Class Day Of
- $10.00 Pre-Registered by August 16
- PAYBACKS: 1st $30, 2nd $15, 3rd $10, 4th $5
MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO CLASS ORDER IF NECESSARY TO BENEFIT THE OVERALL SHOW.
SCHOOLING:
- Schooling will be permitted prior to the start of the show on the day of competition ending promptly at 8:30 AM.
- Any non-showing horses must show a negative coggins.
Rules
- An open check or exact cash must be left with registration to pick up number.
- $35 for all returned checks
- Add/ Scratch must be completed 2 classes in advance or forfeit fee.
- Tack Changes have 4 min. between and must inform the ring steward.
- Each horse must have its own entry form, even if same rider.
- Riders under 16 must have adults accompany them for any add/scratch.
- Age of exhibitors based on age the day of the show.
- Jumping classes are open to all breeds.
- Rail classes with 20 or more entries will be split.
- In walk/trot classes horses are restricted to these gaits. Horses who break to canter may be excused from the arena at shows discretion.
- Saddles MUST be used in all classes except in-hand and costume.
- Horses PROHIBITED on carnival grounds.
- No dogs allowed. (Except service dogs.)
- Alcohol prohibited anywhere on grounds.
- In order for the reduced fee available via early registration entry must be COMPLETE including coggins! If incomplete no reduced fee will apply.
- A paper coggins MUST be presented to gain entry to the grounds. Should you arrive without these documents you will be asked to leave the grounds.
- Any attendee engaged in inappropriate behavior as determined by the show committee will be asked to leave.
- All participants and or guardians must sign an equine liability waiver which adheres to Assumption of Risk that participants and spectators. assume the inherent risk associated with equine activities while on the fairgrounds.
Class Description
Beginner Rider– Open to riders 12 years of age and under. Cross Rails not to exceed 18”. Simple changes will not be penalized. May not cross enter into any division over 18”.
Hopeful Hunter– Open to any horse or rider in their first or second year of showing, mounted on horses or ponies, excluding the Beginner Rider division. Fences 2’0”. Once a rider shows over fences 2’3” or higher they are no longer eligible for the Hopeful Hunter Division. To be judged on performance, manners, and way of going. The rider may not jump higher than 2’0″ at the same horse show.
Low Hunter – Open to all. Judged on performance, manners, and way of going. Fences 2’3”.
Open Equitation On The Flat- Open to All. To be shown at a walk, trot, and canter both ways of the ring and judged on position, control, and guidance. USEF tests 1- 19 may be used, excluding those requiring work over fences. Three entries are necessary to fill this class. Riders must stay within
their age group if classes are split by age.
Knock Down And Out -Starts at 2’9 and raises. Knocked Rail is eliminated until the highest clear jump wins.
Costume – Open to All.
Mini Showmanship– Open to all minis, performed in-hand
Open Showmanship– Open to all, performed in-hand
Leadline – Children 10 & Under. May not cross enter any Beginner Division.
Beginner Youth– All tack. Ages 12 and under. Walk Only. Coaching Allowed. May not cross enter any division that includes trot or canter.
Open Beginner– All tack. All Ages. May not cross enter into any class with canter or lope.
All Day Pleasure Walking– Gaited only. All ages. Walk, Trail Walk, and Pleasure Gait.
Youth Hunter– Age 18 and Under. English Tack Only. Walk Trot Canter.
Country Pleasure Walking– Gaited only. Flat walk, running walk.
Youth Western All Day– Age 18 and Under. Western Only. Walk, jog, lope.
Show Pleasure Walking– Gaited only. Show walk/ show gate.
Open Hunter Under Saddle– English Tack. Walk, Trot, Canter.
Open Ranch Rail- All breeds. All ages. Walk, jog, lope. May include tests at judges discretion.
Highland Resident All Day– Resident of Highland Only. Walk, trot, jog, pleasure gait.
Gaited Command Class– Gaited Only. All Tack. Perform Test on Command.
Open Western– All ages. Walk, jog, lope.
Open Pair– All tack. All ages. Walk, trot, jog, pleasure gait.
Family Class– All tack. Walk, trot, jog, pleasure gait.
Break N’ Out Command– All Tack. All Ages. Walk, trot, lope, canter. Various tests at judges discretion.
Open Schooling 7AM - 8:30 AM
9:00 AM - Hunter Over Fences - 3 Divisions
- Beginner Rider – Course A – (cross rails 18” no cross entering)
- Beginner Rider – Course B – (cross rails 18”/no cross entering)
- Beginner Rider Undersaddle – (walk/trot/no cantering)
- Hopeful Hunter – Course A – (fences not to exceed 2’0)
- Hopeful Hunter – Course B- (fences not to exceed 2’0)
- Hopeful Hunter – Undersaddle – ( walk/trot/canter)
- Low Hunter – Course A – (fences not to exceed 2’3)
- Low Hunter – Course B – (fences not to exceed 2’3)
- Low Hunter Undersaddle – (walk/trot/canter)
- Open Equitation on the Flat – (walk/trot/canter, judge may choose from usef flat equitation tests)
- Knock Down and Out – (starts at 2’9, $100 winner takes all)
- Costume Class – (horses may be ridden or led)
Open Show - Not to Start Before 12:00 Noon
*Schooling Break to Occur Before Start of Open Show*
- Mini Equine Showmanship – (open to all mini equines)
- Open Showmanship – (all ages)
- Leadline – (children 10 and under/ all tack/ prizes for all entries, no payback)
- Beginner Youth – (all tack/ ages 12 and under/ walk only)
- Egg & Spoon – (all ages,all breeds, w/t/j/pleasure gait/canter, dropping the egg is elimination)
- Open Beginner Go As You Please – (walk/trot/jog)
- Open Beginner Pleasure – (walk/trot/jog)
- Open Beginner Equitation/Horsemanship – (walk/trot/jog)
- All Day Pleasure Walking – (walk/ trail walk/pleasure gait)
- Youth Hunter All Day – (walk/trot)
- Youth Hunter Pleasure – (walk/trot/canter)
- Youth Hunter Equitation – (walk/trot/canter)
- Country Pleasure Walking – (flat walk/running walk)
- Youth Western All Day – (walk/jog)
- Youth Western Pleasure – (walk/jog/lope)
- Youth Western Horsemanship Pattern – (walk/jog/lope)
- Show Pleasure Walking – (show walk/show gait)
- Open Hunter Under Saddle – (walk/trot)
- Open Hunter Under Saddle Pleasure – (walk/trot/canter)
- Open Hunter Equitation Pattern – (walk/trot/canter)
- Open Ranch Rail – (walk/trot/lope)
- Highland Residents All Day – (walk/trot/jog/pleasure gait)
- Gaited Command Class – (all tack, gaited only, perform test on command)
- Open Western All Day – (walk/jog)
- 37. Open Western Pleasure – (walk/jog/lope)
- Open Western Horsemanship Pattern – (walk/jog/lope)
- Open Pair – (all tack/ all ages/ walk/trot/jog/pleasure gait)
- Family Class – (all tack/ all ages, walk/trot/jog/pleasure gait)
- Break N Out Command – (all tack/ all age/w/j/t/c,lope/various tests at judges discretion)
Mission Statement
To preserve, maintain, and execute the Highland County Fair Horse Show by honoring its history, promoting friendly and safe competition, and showcasing local horses and riders for the community.
A huge THANKS to ALL the volunteers, friends, parents, trainers, and sponsors who work tirelessly to ensure this show remains a highlight for equestrians throughout the community!