Good Trainers Wanted
Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge endorses the use of natural horsemanship methods (as used by T. Dorrance, R. Hunt, C. Anderson, P. Parelli, C. Cox, etc.) that promote mutual communication, respect and understanding between horse and handler. We understand all trainers have their own way of training and we do not expect a trainer chosen to participate in our events or programs to change their training methods, but do expect them to train our challenge horses to have basic ground manners, and to perform in-hand maneuvers and basic round pen exercises in response to basic natural horsemanship communication methods in addition to riding and/or driving skills.
We are currently recruiting trainer applications for Professional and Amateur Divisions for the 2027 Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge.
The Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge is a 120 day competition offering over $15,000 in cash and prizes! This event involves the intensive training of horses between the ages of 3 – 12 yrs. of age that are sound and healthy, but are totally or mostly untrained.
Pick up of the Challenge Horses is Saturday, January 16, 2027 at 4600 Old Sligo Road, Lagrange Kentucky. The Heart of the Horse final competition is May 14-16, 2027 at the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center, Nesbit, MS. For further information, see 2027 Trainer Prizes & Benefits and 2027 Heart of the Horse Trainer Information.
Each horse entered in the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge will remain the legal property of the owner identified in the Horse Entry Agreement. The legal owner may be Heart of the Horse Limited, a participating rescue organization, an Approved HoH Farm, or the individual who entered the horse and holds clear legal title. Ownership will remain with that party until it is transferred in accordance with the adoption contract.
All equines will be available for adoption only to approved homes that meet Heart of the Horse screening requirements. Adoption fees will be established individually based on each horse’s age, training, temperament, abilities and overall suitability. The portion of the adoption fee paid to the trainer will be determined by the commission structure established for the trainer’s division—Professional or Amateur.
