Equine Sports Council

03/27/2026

$25,000 worth of Giveback Grant checks are on the way to horse shows that were sanctioned by ESC in 2025 and who have registered with us again in 2026. This sponsorship money may be used at the show's discretion to improve or promote their event, whether that be hospitality, awards, promotional items or marketing. If your show would like to learn more about how ESC supports our Network and get in on this payback program, visit us @ https://equinesportscouncil.org/showregistration/

03/12/2026

There is still time to register for the ESC Judges' Clinic, being held at Spring Premier horse show in Lexington April 1-3. The two day clinic (Wednesday and Thursday) will have a 2 hour classroom session each morning from 9-11am, then ringside and in-ring learner judging during the afternoon session of the horse show. YOU MAY PARTICIPATE AT THE SHOW AS WELL AS ATTEND THE CLINIC! Friday will be reserved as a make-up day for anyone who was unable to get their learner judging done Wednesday and Thursday due to their show schedule. This is an opportunity for people who have never attended a Judges Clinic or held a Judge's License to get certified affordably - and get your clinic and learner judging done AT THE SAME TIME. Cost is $175. Visit https://equinesportscouncil.org/certifiedofficials/ to register.

ESC Officials Register CredentialsJudges’ ClinicRoster & CertificationOfficials InsuranceCertification Council Certification Levels & Officials Roster ESC Judges and Stewards are certified annually based on their officiating experience, overall industry involvement and ability to demonstrate ongoi...

02/19/2026

ESC supports ONE DAY SHOWS with reduced affiliation fees and sponsorships. Grassroots shows like this one are critical to our industry’s growth and we hope you’ll join us!

June 6 2026 plan for a fun day at the Tri-State this show will also be a KY State Fair qualifier

02/18/2026

The Kentucky State Fair Board met in late January and approved the following additions for the World’s Championship Horse Show.

02/09/2026

Equine Sports Council is excited to announce that we have developed a tiered certification program for horse show Judges, ensuring they demonstrate expertise through annual credential submissions, ESC Rule Book examinations, industry involvement, and continuing education.

ESC Judges will be certified annually based on their officiating experience, overall industry involvement and ability to demonstrate ongoing personal development. Applicants will attest to their officiating history and that information will be verified using publicly available data such as Saddle Horse Report’s “Judge’s Search” or horse show management software programs. After registration and completing the rule book quiz, officials will be Leveled Up as follows:

Standard Judges – Those individuals who have officiated fewer than 10 shows. Standard applicants must attend an ESC In-Person Judge’s Clinic or show they have attended a similar clinic in the last 5 years. They will be certified to officiate ESC sanctioned events with fewer than 250 entries, or may serve on a three-judge panel, and must complete a short online webinar and a rule book quiz each year.

Premier Judges – Those who have officiated 10 to 30 verified multi-day shows. They may officiate all competition levels and must complete the annual online webinar and rule book quiz.

Elite Judges – Those who have officiated more than 30 verified multi-day shows. They may officiate all ESC sanctioned shows and will complete an annual online webinar and rule book quiz.

“The ESC Judges Certification Program is a well thought out and innovative approach to adding more Judges to the judging pool,” stated Susi Day, Chairperson of the ESC Certification Council. “ESC has worked exceptionally hard to make this process efficient, educational and cost effective. I am thrilled to be a part of this effort to educate and employ future officials. I look forward to seeing many new Judges standing in center ring!”

To apply for certification, visit https://equinesportscouncil.org/certifiedofficials/ The certification fee is $100 through February 2026, then increases to $150 on March 1.

ESC Certified Judges will be covered under the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) insurance policy, which provides up to $6 million per occurrence, with a per policy aggregate of $14 million for claims against the insured for bodily injury, property damage and personal injury at horse shows that are organized by recognized sports organizations and where ESC rules are followed. Coverage also extends to seminars, conferences, camps and clinics. This policy is included in the annual certification fee.

Standard Judge Applicants, or anyone interested in learning more about the judging process, are invited to attend an In-Person Judge’s Clinic at the Spring Premier Horse Show, April 1-3, 2026 at the KY Horse Park in Lexington. Visit https://equinesportscouncil.org/judgesclinics/ for more information, the clinic schedule, and to register. Clinic attendees may also participate as trainers/exhibitors at the show.

01/31/2026

BILL WISE WCHS SWEEPSTAKES UPDATE & NOMINATION INFORMATION

Published: August 19, 2025
Updated: January 30, 2026

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (January 30, 2026) – The Kentucky State Fair Board voted to add the Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes classes to the schedule for the World’s Championship Horse Show taking place August 22-29, 2026. The approval will add six Bill Wise Sweepstakes classes to the lineup and will include:

Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Two-Year-Old Fine Harness
Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Two-year-Old Park
Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Three-Year-Old Fine Harness
Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited
Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Three-Year-Old Park Pleasure
Bill Wise WCHS Sweepstakes Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited

The Bill Wise Sweepstakes nomination and payment deadlines are as follows:

Yearling: March 15, 2026, of horse’s Yearling year
Two-Year-Old: March 15, 2026, of horse’s Two-Year-Old year
Three-Year-Old: March 15, 2026, of horse’s Three-Year-Old year
Four-Year-Old: March 15, 2026, of horse’s Four-Year- Old year
For the 2026 program, there will be a one-time buy-in option available for all of the classes. These payments will be due to the Fair Board by May 1, 2026 for eligibility in the 2026 Sweepstakes classes. The amounts for each of the buy-ins are:

2-year-old Sweepstakes $3,000
3-year-old Sweepstakes $4,000
4-year-old Sweepstakes $5,000

The buy-in is not necessary for horses who have already had their regular nomination fees paid. The regular schedule of nomination fees would not change, with one exception. The initial nomination of 2-year-olds for 2026 (originally set for 9/15/2025) will be extended to March 15, 2026.



For nomination forms and more information, visit https://wchorseshow.com/bill-wise-american-saddlebred-sweepstakes.

01/30/2026

Following ESC Foundation’s initial sponsorship of two lesson horses for DeVote Performance Horses in Winston Salem, NC and Trinity Farm in Clayton, IN, a gracious sponsor came forward to allow for two more lesson programs to be assisted.

Suzanne Schnetzler has operated Rocking S Stables for over 20 years in Helena, Alabama. She and one assistant instructor teach an average of 75 students a week, with a growing Beginner rider segment. Her “babysitter” mount has been diagnosed with ringbone and will soon be retired at the farm. This grant will assist Suzanne in replacing him so that she can continue to introduce new people to the world of horseback riding.

Jennifer King of Sovereign Stables in Dayton, Minnesota is our fourth and final lesson horse grant recipient this year. She’s been in the business for 18 years, with her current lesson program operating for 8 years. She, along with a few part-time assistants, teach 50+ lessons a week, with many of those being adult riders returning to horseback riding. Her program has generated 14 new American Saddlebred owners in the past 4 years, yet she feels like she is always turning business away due to the need for another intermediate lesson horse. We can fix that.

The horses to fill these vacancies will be sourced by the Instructors from approved rescue organizations and the adoption and transportation fees paid by Equine Sports Council Foundation. ESCF is the educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of ESC. The ESC Foundation’s mission is to educate, raise awareness, and advocate for the trotting breed show horse industry. The Foundation is funded by donations from ESC Corporation and private individuals.

“We are thrilled to offer this program, which supports grassroots lesson programs AND rescue organizations,” said Jackie Hale. If you are interested in learning more about ESC Foundation or being a co-sponsor with naming rights for this program in 2027, call 1-855-Equine1 (855-378-4631) or email [email protected].

01/30/2026

Welcome Back FASH! We hope you have a huge comeback year!

We look forward to seeing you May 7-10!

01/13/2026

ESC Foundation received over two dozen applications for our Lesson Horse Grant. Topping the list were two emerging stables that will each receive a sponsored lesson horse to add to their growing programs.

Mallory Giebink of DeVote Performance Horses in Winston Salem, NC has been teaching for 15 years, and her current program has been in operation about 5 years. What started as a small 5 stall barn with 3-4 lessons a week after her regular 9-5 job, has grown to a full time job teaching 35 lesson a week, with the new addition of a covered riding arena. Mallory recently retired her beginner horse and needed to replace him so that she can continue to introduce saddle seat to new riders.

Mary Lynn Foster of Trinity Farm in Clayton, Indiana has been in business for 20 years and, together with a part time assistant instructor, they teach 40 lessons a week. She recently lost her “very beginner” lesson horse and needed another one to teach “the littles.” Trinity Farms has an active Youth Program and an all saddle seat drill team. The stable hosts and supports local tournaments, attends regular performance shows in Indiana and Kentucky, and even made the trip to Monarch National Championship in 2025.

The horses to fill these vacancies will be sourced by the Instructors from approved rescue organizations and the adoption and transportation fees paid by Equine Sports Council Foundation. ESCF is the educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of ESC. The ESC Foundation’s mission is to educate, raise awareness, and advocate for the trotting breed show horse industry. The Foundation is funded by donations from ESC Corporation and private individuals.

“If supporting grassroots lesson programs AND rescue organizations is something near and dear to your heart, please contact us about how you can help sponsor additional lesson horses,” said Jackie Hale. “We received many more qualified, growing programs that need assistance and I wish we could grant a dozen horses.” If you are interested in being a co-sponsor with naming rights for this program, call 1-855-Equine1 (855-378-4631) or email [email protected].

01/12/2026

ESC proudly sanctions this Show of the Year! Congratulations to the hard working show committee on receiving this designation.

We are so excited Rock Creek Horse Show has been named Show Horse Magazine’s HORSE SHOW OF THE YEAR 💚⭐️ thank you to our board members, exhibitors, trainers, owners, vendors, partners, and sponsors for a wonderful 2025.

See you in June 2-6 for Rock Creek Horse Show 2026 in Louisville, KY!

01/07/2026

We couldn't be prouder to call Tate Bennett a trusted friend and advisor! Congratulations on your appointment as USDA's Principal Deputy Chief of Staff.

Tate Bennett serves as Principal Deputy Chief of Staff. During President Trump’s first term, Tate held various policy and engagement roles where she worked tirelessly to advance the President’s agenda. Specifically, Tate served as Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade, and Food Assistance at the White House National Economic Council, as well as both the Agriculture Advisor to the Administrator and the Associate Administrator for the Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most recently, Tate served as the Director of Rural Policy at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). She has earlier private sector and federal experience, including having worked in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Tate grew up on her parents’ horse farm in Shelbyville, Kentucky, an upbringing that has heavily shaped her commitment to rural America.