Information for Youth & Volunteer Trainers

Before  applying to compete in the MS Horses Challenge, please read ALL of this  information. Submission of your Trainer Application as a potential  competitor implies that you have read this information and agree to  comply with the guidelines set forth below:

Mississippi Horses Rescue (MHR) is working in conjunction with the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge to offer Youth and Volunteer Trainer Divisions.. The horses used for these Challenge Divisions will be from equines currently in the MHR system, and will be matched to the trainers by MHR based upon the abilities of the trainers and the temperament and suitability of the equine to be partnered with that trainer. The training period will not be restricted to 120 days, and the horses involved will still be available for adoption at any time.. If an adoption is pending before the finals on May 15-17,  the Challenge Team will be judged as it would be in the classes at the HoH Expo & Trainers Challenge in May, and the scores for that team will be included in the final standings in May. In these instances, the trainer then has the option to be matched with another MHR horse, and can continue the Challenge training as a new team. It is therefore possible for one trainer to be entered in the final Challenge standings as more than one team. Any Youth or Volunteer Challenge teams that are still working together at the time of the HoH finals may show in their division classes.  Trainer participants must employ humane, natural horsemanship  methods in line with MHR established training techniques and must desire to become the best trainer/equestrian they  can be. 

• Youth and Volunteer Trainer Applications will be accepted up until February 15, 2025.
• Selection  of participating trainers will be based on quality of application  determined by a panel of judges within and outside of Mississippi Horses  Rescue. 
• Trainers selected for the competition will be notified via email within 30 days of the receipt of application. Subsequent information and instructions will also be delivered via email.

Initial Trainer Meeting and Pick up of horses:

Participating  trainers will attend a mandatory meeting at Twelve Oaks in Canton, MS, by appointment. During this meeting, competitors will meet their designated Challenge horse, sign  their Trainer Agreements and  a Foster to Train agreement before taking their challenge  horse home. (Parent or Adult Legal Guardian must also sign Foster to Train agreement for any trainer under the age of 19)

How fostering a horse in training works:

All  challenge horses will be current on vaccinations and will have a  current Coggins. Most of the horses will also have had their teeth done  and feet trimmed. MHR will cover routine vet and farrier expenses while  the challenge horse is in training. If a trainer wants their challenge  horse to be seen by a specialist, they should discuss it with MHR in  advance if they wish to be reimbursed. The trainer/foster will cover  daily care/feed expenses. It is encouraged for you to solicit sponsors to cover your  feed, grooming supplies, supplements and travel expenses. If you solicit  sponsors to cover specific tack or equipment for your challenge horse,  those items should go with the horse if it is adopted while in your training. Each Challenge horse/trainer team will  have their profile on the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge website and will be  promoted on social media to create interest in each horse/trainer team.

Clinics Offered:

There  will be several clinics offered by recognized clinicians  from September through April. The dates/locations of these clinics will be announced on the HoH Website and on Facebook. All Challenge trainers are invited and encouraged to attend these clinics (with or  without their Challenge horses). The public clinics will require a participation fee, but you may audit  at no charge. Youth and Volunteer Trainers are encouraged to simultaneously compete in Carter Ranch Plan 4 Progress online challenges and  to participate in the Train the Trainer Clinics that will be offered monthly January through April, 2025. Both of these programs are offered at no charge to participating Challenge Trainers..  These clinics are intended  to enrich and expand your training knowledge and techniques, and may  provide insights to solving any particular problems or “sticking points”  you may encounter during your journey with your equine  Challenge partner.

Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge Finals:

Volunteer and Youth Trainers  that plan to compete at the finals are required to check in at the State Fairgrounds by 7 pm on Wednesday, May 14th. Health & Ground Manners classes will be judged the afternoon of Thursday, May 15th.,  Horsemanship and Trail classes will be judged on Friday, May 16th. Winners of the Youth and Volunteer Divisions will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May  17th. All Youth and Volunteer horses that have not been adopted by the close of the Awards Ceremony will be returned to MHR custody unless prior arrangements have been made to extend your Foster to Train agreement.

Other Basic Requirements:

You will be responsible for the care and maintenance (feeding, watering and cleaning the stall) of your challenge horse from the time you arrive on the Fairgrounds on Wednesday until the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony on Saturday. 

We  ask that you be very honest and candid about which of the  divisions you qualify for to make the selection process smoother during  our screening.

Youth Division Information:  Youth horses will be trained and shown in hand only. No youth trainer is to ride their Challenge horse without permission and supervision of MHR staff or MHR approved mentor. There will be no under saddle classes offered in the Youth Division. 

Youth Trainer Requirements:

• Must have experience handling horses, and at least some prior experience in training.
• Age requirement is 12 - 18. Some exceptions to the minimum age will be made if the youth has prior experience with training or has participated in training clinics.
• All Youth trainers are required to work under the supervision of a mentor/trainer approved by the MHR selection committee for the entirety of the challenge training period. The mentor/trainer may instruct or advise the youth trainer, but may not actually handle, train, or demonstrate with the challenge horse.
• Horses for the Youth division will be mostly ponies or small horses, are at least halter trained, and may have had some prior training. They will be pointed, through assessment by our team, to even the playing field.
• Youth will compete using the same training techniques used by MHR.

Volunteer Division Information:  Volunteer Trainers may choose to train/compete in hand only, or in-hand and riding. If an applicant plans to compete under saddle, they must indicate such at the time of application. However, the decision to switch to in-hand only for competition purposes is permittable at any time. 

Volunteer Trainer Requirements:

• Must have experience handling horses, and at least some prior experience in training.
• Age requirement is 19 or older. Exceptions to the minimum age will be made if the volunteer has prior experience with training under saddle or has participated in training clinics.
• All Volunteer trainers are required to work under the supervision of a mentor/trainer approved by the MHR selection committee for the entirety of the challenge training period. The mentor/trainer may instruct or advise the volunteer trainer, but may not actually handle, train, or demonstrate with the challenge horse.
• Horses for the Volunteer division may be ponies or horses, are at least halter trained, and may have had some prior training. They will be pointed, through assessment by our team, to even the playing field.
• Volunteers will compete using the same training techniques used by MHR.

How to apply for participation as a MHR Challenge Trainer Competitor:

Applicants for both divisions should fill out this on-line application - MS Horses Challenge Trainer Application

As  instructed in the application, there are photo and possible video requirements to be emailed to the selection committee. Those  items must be received in order for your application to be considered. Photos are to be emailed to mshorsesapplications@gmail.com