Equine Sports Council is excited to announce that we have developed a tiered certification program for horse show Judges, ensuring they demonstrate expertise through annual credential submissions, ESC Rule Book examinations, industry involvement, and continuing education. ESC Judges will be certified annually based on their officiating experience, overall industry involvement and ability to demonstrate ongoing personal development. Applicants will attest to their officiating history and that information will be verified using publicly available data such as Saddle Horse Report’s “Judge’s Search” or horse show management software programs.  After registration and completing the rule book quiz, officials will be Leveled Up as follows: Standard Judges – Those individuals who have officiated fewer…

Following ESC Foundation’s initial sponsorship of two lesson horses for DeVote Performance Horses in Winston Salem, NC and Trinity Farm in Clayton, IN, a gracious sponsor came forward to allow for two more lesson programs to be assisted. Suzanne Schnetzler has operated Rocking S Stables for over 20 years in Helena, Alabama. She and one assistant instructor teach an average of 75 students a week, with a growing Beginner rider segment. Her “babysitter” mount has been diagnosed with ringbone and will soon be retired at the farm. This grant will assist Suzanne in replacing him so that she can continue to introduce new people to the world of horseback riding.…

ESC Foundation received over two dozen applications for our Lesson Horse Grant. Topping the list were two emerging stables that will each receive a sponsored lesson horse to add to their growing programs. Mallory Giebink of DeVote Performance Horses in Winston Salem, NC has been teaching for 15 years, and her current program has been in operation about 5 years. What started as a small 5 stall barn with 3-4 lessons a week after her regular 9-5 job, has grown to a full time job teaching 35 lesson a week, with the new addition of a covered riding arena. Mallory recently retired her beginner horse and needed to replace him…

In January, ESC will begin Certifying Judges annually based on their judging experience, overall industry involvement, and ability to demonstrate ongoing personal development. We have researched the number of horse shows judged using Saddle Horse Report’s Judge’s Search data. The levels of certification are as follows: Standard Judge – Individuals with trotting breed experience who have judged less than 10 shows. Standard level applicants will be required to attend an ESC in-person Judges Clinic, or demonstrate that they have attended another recognized governing body’s clinic in the past 5 years. They are qualified to judge ESC events with less than 250 entries. All judges must complete a brief Virtual Webinar and take a…

Equine Sports Council Foundation is pleased to be able to provide sponsorship support for this historic horse show that is home to the American Saddle Horse Breeder’s Futurity of Kansas and Oklahoma. With the Futurity at risk if the show was cancelled, ESC Foundation partnered with area breeders to raise $2500 in sponsorship funds. The show is under new management with Kelly Smith at the helm, and she is working hard to ensure the longevity of the event. The ONLY American Saddlebred show in Kansas, it is held at Kenwood Park in the Agricultural Hall, an arena that was built in 1929. Twenty years ago the Kansas Saddle Horse Association…

The World’s Championship Horse Show will be upon us shortly and Equine Sports Council is preparing for another successful year at the Kentucky State Fair. The ESC Mobile App has been updated and is available as a download @ https://equinesportscouncil.org/mobilehub/.   You’ll find quick access to the ESC Rulebook, Medication Report Form, a Quick Reference Guide for Common Medications and the searchable Medication Database. Pony Measurements will take place at the WCHS on Saturday afternoon 8/16 at 1pm and Sunday morning 8/17 at 9am at the equine entrance to the North Wing.  Handlers will access the Pony Measurement Form via the Mobile Hub with a smartphone or tablet, and may pre-fill…

Administration of the Bill Wise American Saddlebred Sweepstakes has officially been transferred from the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeder’s Association to Equine Sports Council Foundation.  To mark this new beginning, ESC Foundation is pleased to announce a new website designed to honor the history of the Sweepstakes and the vision of the late Bill Wise, as well as to promote the program.  SaddlebredSweepstakes.com is up and running, with additional information being added daily. Sponsors have graciously stepped forward to reinvigorate the program, with special awards and rose garlands for the winners at all three shows showcasing the Sweepstakes classes.  A reception celebrating the legacy of the Bill Wise Sweepstakes Program…