2026 · Version 7.3 · Effective March 2026
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ESC Participant Code of Conduct
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Forward This document is a comprehensive reference guide for participants and officials in the ESC Network of sanctioned horse shows. We are dedicated to promoting fairness, safety, and excellence in all facets of equine competition. An ope…
DF100 - ESC Organization Equine Sports Council is a non-member, private Alabama Corporation dedicated to the support and growth of the horse show industry by creating a network of horse shows that all use the same standardized set of rules …
DF100.1 ESC Horse Show Network Horse shows within ESC’s network are committed to providing a competition environment that promotes good sportsmanship, fair competition, and the highest standards of horsemanship. The welfare of the horse and…
DF100.2 Recommended Document Use This document is developed for the shows within the ESC Network and is subject to ongoing updates and customization based on the class types offered at ESC Network horse shows. Federal or State Provincial la…
DF101 Age of Individual Is determined by their age as of December 1 and will be maintained throughout the show year.
DF102 Adult/Master An Adult is an individual who has reached his/her 18th birthday, and a Master is an individual who has reached their 50th birthday.
DF103 Juvenile Exhibitor An individual who has not reached his/her 18th birthday.
DF104 Youth An individual between the ages of 16 - 21, who, if 18 years or older, competes as an Amateur as defined by DF107.
DF105 Family For show purposes, the term family includes husband, wife, common law husband/wife, same/opposite gender partners, parent, step-parent, child, brother, step-child, sister, half brother and sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, gr…
DF106 Trainer (PRO) 1. Any person who has “agent responsibility” for the care, training, custody or performance of a horse. 2. The trainer must be designated on, and must sign the entry blank. 3. If a minor exhibitor has no trainer, a paren…
DF107 Amateur (non-PRO) A person competing in ESC Amateur or non-PRO classes must adhere to the following practices: 1. An amateur may accept financial compensation for judging, instruction of academy/lesson riders under the direction of a …
DF108 Amateur Owner Trainer (AOT) 1. Entries must be registered under the competitor's name or a family member's name. Leased entries are ineligible. 2. Joint ownership is prohibited unless all owners are from the same family. 3. Horses may…
DF109 Coach Any adult who provides riding, driving or handling instruction for non academy riders, drivers or handlers.
DF110 Agent Any person who acts on behalf of an exhibitor, owner or lessee of a horse, trainer, rider, driver or handler at or in connection with a show.
DF111 “Client” Shall Include: 1. Any person who has received or who has a member of his/her family who has received horse training, instruction in riding, driving, or showing in-hand/halter from the official or from an official’s employee; …
