important Trainer Information

Before  applying to compete in the 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:

The  Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge is a 120 day training competition  seeking trainers separated into Professional and Amateur divisions. Trainer participants must employ humane, natural horsemanship  techniques and must desire to become the best trainer/equestrian they  can be. 

• Trainer Applications will be accepted from August 15 – October 31, 2024. 
• Selection  of participating trainers will be based on quality of application  determined by a panel of judges within and outside of Mississippi Horses  Rescue and the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge Committee. 
• Trainers selected for the competition will be announced in social media the weekend of November 16th. Selected trainers will also be notified via email. Subsequent information and instructions will also be delivered via email.

Initial Trainer Meeting and Selection/Pick up of horses:

Participating  trainers will attend a mandatory two day meeting on January 18 &  19, 2025 at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, MS. Competitors will sign  their Trainer Agreements and have the opportunity to inspect the  challenge horses on Sat., Jan. 18th. Trainers will draw number lots to  determine the order of selection privilege. Challenge Horses will be exhibited Saturday morning. Selections will begin on  Sat. afternoon and will conclude Sun. morning if necessary. Specific time schedule of events and meetings during the two days will be  provided by email after trainer selections are announced. Trainers  will sign a Foster to Train agreement before taking their challenge  horse home. Health certificates will be written on any horses chosen by  out of state trainers before they depart.

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. HOH 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 HOH in  advance if they wish to be reimbursed. The trainer/foster will cover  daily care/feed expenses (we are trying to negotiate a feed sponsorship  to help with those expenses, but those plans are not solidified at this  writing). 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 at the Heart of  the Horse Expo adoption event. Each Challenge horse/trainer team will  have their own page/link on the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge website and will be  promoted on social media to create interest in each horse/trainer team.  It will be a great tool to promote sponsors.

What is the cost for clinics:

There  will be several clinics offered by recognized clinicians during the 120  day training period. The dates/locations of these clinics will be given  in the Trainer Information Packets. All Challenge trainers are invited and encouraged to attend these clinics (with or  without their Challenge horses) at no charge. 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 120 day journey with your equine  Challenge partner.

Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge Finals

Trainers  are required to check in at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, MS on  Wednesday, May 14, 2025, and be available to meet and interview potential  adopters that afternoon to early evening. Health & Ground Manners classes will be judged the afternoon of Thursday, May 15th,  with additional interviews of potential adopters possible that  morning or evening. Horsemanship and Trail classes will be judged on Friday, May 16th. Freestyle classes will be judged on Saturday, May  17th. All of the challenge horses  will be available for adoption to approved bidders in a the HoH Safe Horse  Auction that will begin after final awards the on May 17th.  Trainers must also be available to meet with the adopter either on Saturday evening or on Sunday morning, May 18th. All meetings will conclude before noon on Sunday, which is the deadline for picking up horses.

Other Basic Requirements:

Challenge  trainers must be willing to commit to consistent video and photo  updates of your horse’s progress during the 120 day training period.  Plan to work to market your training horse. Schedule meetings with  potential adopters and offer discounted lessons after adoption to the adopters to encourage a lasting partnership. In order to place a bid in  the HOH Auction, potential adopters must have already met with the trainer and the horse in a scheduled viewing/try out. Those  appointments can be made either at your facility, or scheduled on May 15th or 16th when you come to the finals competition in Jackson. You will be asked  for your assessment of potential adopters and will have the authority to  disqualify a bidder if you feel they are not an appropriate match for  your challenge horse. 

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.

Professional Division requirements:

• You  must earn a substantial amount of your income from training. A few  exceptions may be made for individuals who do not train full time, but  do meet all other professional division requirements and have an  established reputation within the equine community.
• Have a business website or business social media presence.
• The skill set of a professional as determined by the selection committee.
• Age  requirement is 23 and up. Exception for lower age (no less than 20) may  be made if the applicant meets all other requirements of this division  and/or has trained for MHR or competed in a previous  trainer  challenge.
• Provide a 5 minute (unedited) training video and a 5 minute video including ground work, mounting and ridden W/T/C footage.
• Horses  for the Professional Division may be unhandled/feral in type. Some will  likely not be able to be haltered. Therefore, participants are advised  to use stock or enclosed trailers that can safely haul a loose horse  when picking up.
• Descriptions  of horses will be posted on the web site and participants will be able  to choose horses grouped by division and in the order of draw.

Amateur Division Requirements:

This  division is for adult trainers (19 yrs. or older) who do not advertise their services as a trainer, and do not rely on training fees as regular income. Accepting occasional monetary compensation for training horses for friends or family will not disqualify a trainer for Amateur status as long as said compensation does not exceed 15% of gross annual income.   Exception for lower age  may  be made if the applicant meets all other requirements of this division  and/or has trained for MHR or competed in a previous  trainer  challenge.

• You  must have at least two years of verifiable training experience with  either your own horses or as a volunteer to your local equine community.
•  A  solid list compromised of show history, mentor and/or peer references  to create a portfolio to establish your skill as a trainer
• You must have horsemanship skills beyond that of just a good rider.
• You  must have knowledge of ground work and under saddle training, and the  ability to develop those skills in your challenge horse.
• Provide a 5 minute (unedited) training video and a 5 minute video including ground work, mounting and ridden W/T/C footage. 
• Horses  for the Amateur division will be at least halter trained, and may have  had some training at one time. They will be pointed, through assessment  from our team, to even the playing field.
• Descriptions  of horses will be posted on the web site and participants will be able  to choose horses grouped by division and in the order of draw.
• Amateur  trainers are permitted (and encouraged) to train under the periodic  supervision of a more experienced mentor and/or clinicians. The mentor may instruct or  advise the amateur trainer, but may not actually handle, train, or  demonstrate with the challenge horse..

How to apply for participation as a Trainer Competitor:

Applicants for both divisions should fill out this on-line application -  Heart of the Horse Trainer Application

As  instructed in the application, there are several video and/or photo  requirements to be emailed to the selection committee. All of those  items must be received no later than October 31st in order for your application to be considered. Photos and videos are to be emailed to hohchallenge@gmail.com

What if you are not selected to compete in the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge?

There  are a limited number of slots available for participation in the  Trainers Challenge. If you are not selected to compete, please inquire  about participating in Mississippi Horses'  Diamond Horse program