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Competitive Rider Program

Related Forms

VHF Rider Emergency Medical Information Form

Venturing Hills offers a comprehensive competition program for several levels. We focus on local, regional, as well as 'away' overnight competitions, including at the more advanced levels, several trips a year to the US or the Toronto area. We specialize in Eventing and Jumper at the upper levels and can also prepare riders for  hunter, equitation, and dressage. For a more complete breakdown of Coaching Fees please see Lessons/Coaching.

Local 1 Day Competitions: Schooling, Bronze/Silver Level Shows, & Horse Trials

• Memberships: Provincial, Equine Canada Bronze, Canadian Eventing
• Average Cost: per show w/horse transport & coaching $200-300

Local & Regional 2-4 day Competitions: Gold/A Level Shows &  Horse Trials

• Memberships: Provincial; Equine Canada Silver/Gold, Canadian Eventing
• Local - Average Cost: per show w/horse transport & coaching $300-500
• Regional - Average Cost: per show w/horse transport & coaching $300-800

Regional & Away 2-5 Day Competitions: Gold/A Shows/Horse Trials & International Events

• Memberships: Provincial, Equine Canada Platinum, FEI Horse & FEI Rider, Canadian Eventing
• Shows/Horse Trials: Average Cost: per show w/horse transport & coaching $500-$800+

It is important that riders have the following items in place to go to a competition with VHF:

Memberships:All memberships are required w/photocopies of their membership cards for the competition secretary to accompany the entries, as well as the actual membership cards on the day of the competition

Clothing: Appropriate clothing for showing: shirts, neck wear, jacket, boots, riding pants, spurs, gloves helmet, hair net, rain coat, warm over jacket, body protector and T2 air vest for eventers, casual clothing and footwear. Second hand and borrowed items can be found for significant savings.

Equipment: Appropriate equipment: all personal clothing, and horse equipment has to be contained in trunks or hockey bags, for order and to avoid loss during transport; nothing should be left loose. Our VHF Competition Check List of special supplies and equipment for one or multiple day competitions can be obtained from VHF coaches or reviewed on our Forms page under Activities.

Currency: For local & regional competitions, we request that riders under 18 years of age who are not accompanied by a parent or guardian should have the following for  for lunches, snacks and special needs like replacement equipment, farrier or veterinary emergencies:

• $40 cash/Debit card
• Credit card
• Cheque for entry fees

Accommodation: For 'Away" shows, we prefer that riders stay in shared hotel rooms, although horse trailers and/or tents can be a big savings it is hard for riders to guarantee a good sleep, warmth and staying dry.

Assistance/Groom/Helper: all riders under the age of 18 years should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or helper in order to act as a groom -  especially to hold the animal for course walks and during tacking up/dressing, untacking/bandaging/undressing. If a helper is not available, the rider must notify the VHF coach well in advance of the show day in order to secure one;  costs vary for paid help from $20 shared fee to $100/day.

Transport: The following are transport options and costs for horses and ponies;

VHF/Professional Transport:;

• Local shows within 100km: approx $130 return
• Regional & 'Away' - variable, please contact Coach for details

Travel Friend: (shared trailer with vehicle owner)

• Shared gas (either split two ways or total cost assumed for long distances)
• Pre-agreed rate – variable, please contact Coach for details