Horses

Local Hunter - This is a local class, entries must come from a radius of 20 miles of Melplash Church. Novice Hunters must not have won a prize of £10 or over before the closing date of entries. Exhibitors to state on entry form if Hunter is eligible to compete for additional Novice Rosette. Riders of Novice Hunters to provide own white arm bands to assist the judge. The highest placed horse not exceeding 158cms to come forward to the championship for the H18 trophy Horses need not be registered with any society.

Open Hunter mare or gelding, 4 years old or over, exceeding 153cms, riders to have attained their 16th birthday by 1st January of the current year. The highest placed horse not exceeding 158cms to come forward to the championship for the H18 trophy. Horses need not be registered with any society.

Novice Working Hunter, Open to All, Mare, gelding or stallion (competing stallions must have a red, white and blue ribbon displayed in their tail) 15.0hh and over. 4 years old and over. Not to have won a total of £200 excluding championship money, in prize money in working hunter classes, or more than 25 British Eventing Points or £200 British Show Jumping at home or abroad before 1st January of the current year. (Fences not to exceed 2'9.) Horses need not be registered with any society.

Open Working Hunter, for Working Hunters, any weight, mares, geldings or stallion (competing stallions must have a red, white and blue ribbon displayed in their tail) four years old and over, exceeding 148cms, to be ridden. Grade A show-jumpers and advanced event horses not eligible to compete in Working Hunter classes. (Fences to not exceed 3'3). This class will be judged in two parts. Part one (jumping) will be judged first, without a jump-off. All clear rounds and any other horses the judges may require will go forward to the next part. Horses need not be registered with any society.

Mare or gelding, 4 years old and over, exceeding 148cms. The highest placed unqualified SMALL RIDING HORSE and LARGE RIDING HORSE will qualify for the LIHS BSHA Rising Star Supreme Small or Large Riding Horse Supreme Final at the LIHS in December. In addition, two highest placed unqualified horses, regardless of section, will qualify for the Rising Star Associate Finals at the BSHA National Championship Show in September.

Mare or gelding, 4 years old or over exceeding 158cms, (small hunter not to exceed exceeding 158cms). Capable of carrying up to 79.5kgs (12 stone 7lbs). The highest placed unqualified in the top 5 will qualify for the LIHS BSHA Rising Star Small/Lightweight Hunter Supreme Final at the LIHS in December. In addition two highest placed unqualified horses will qualify for the Rising Star Associate Finals at the BSHA National Championship Show in September.

Mare or gelding, 4 years old or over, exceeding 158cms. Capable of carrying over 89kgs (14 stone). The highest placed unqualified in the top 5 will qualify for the LIHS BSHA Rising Star Middleweight/Heavyweight Hunter Supreme Final at the LIHS in December. In addition two highest placed unqualified horses will qualify for the Rising Star Associate Finals at the BSHA National Championship Show in September.

Mare or gelding, 4 years old and over, exceeding 148cms. The highest placed unqualified LIGHTWEIGHT COB and HEAVYWEIGHT COB will qualify for the LIHS BSHA Rising Star Lightweight or Heavyweight Cob Supreme Final at the LIHS in December. In addition, two highest placed unqualified horses, regardless of section, will qualify for the Rising Star Associate Finals at the BSHA National Championship Show in September.

Open ONLY to Hacks, Cobs, Maxi Cobs and Riding Horses, mare or gelding four years old and over, exceeding 148cms. The highest placed unqualified in the top 5 will qualify for the LIHS BSHA Rising Star Working Show Horse Supreme Final at the LIHS in December. Any horse which is Grade B showjumper, Intermediate Eventer, or above as at 1st January of the current year, is not eligible. Height of fences: minimum 2’6”, maximum 2’9”, maximum spread 2’9”. Please note the height of the fences may be raised at the final at the discretion of the Course builder/ BSHA Representative.

Open to Hunters, mare or gelding four years old and over, exceeding 148cms. The highest placed unqualified in the top 5 will qualify for the LIHS BSHA Rising Star Working Hunter Supreme Final at the LIHS in December. Any horse which is registered / previously registered as a Grade A showjumper, Advanced Eventer, or above as at 1st January of the current year, is not eligible. Height of fences: minimum 3’0”, maximum 3’3”, maximum spread 3’3”. Please note the height of the fences may be raised at the final at the discretion of the Course builder/ BSHA Representative.

Thoroughbred mare or gelding, 4years old or over, any height. Riders must be 15 years or over on the 1st January 2024. Horses should be ridden in a snaffle, Pelham or simple double bridle with a plain cavasson noseband. Horses should be plaited. The first THREE go forward to the championship at Hickstead in June 2025. All entries MUST be competition registered with the RoR and include their competition registration number on entry form and have RACED in GB. All those entering horses and/or participating in the show agree to be bound by the Retraining of Racehorses Rules and Regulations from time to time in force’. Please be aware that the show will split the class on the horse’s last run in a race (NH or Flat) or will provide 2 ride judges should the entries exceed 20. Please mark your entry form accordingly. Competitors must wear a safety/kite mark hard hat with a chinstrap. Racing injuries and blemishes will NOT be ignored in this series
RoR rosettes 1st – 4th and a RoR branded prize to the winner to be redeemed from the RoR Office. The winner also qualifies for the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series Special at the RoR National Championships 2025 at Aintree
Veteran prize (15+) - a RoR branded prize to be redeemed from RoR office and qualification for the Veteran Final at the RoR National Championships 2025 at Aintree.

Mare or gelding 4yrs old or over and of any height. Riders must be 15 years or over on the 1st January 2024. Horses to be ridden in any suitable bridle and should be plaited. All entries must be Competition Registered with RoR and HAVE raced in GB or been IN TRAINING in GB. Racing injuries and blemishes ARE IGNORED in this series.
The first four go forward to the final at The Jockey Club RoR National Championships, Aintree, August 2025
The Judge will NOT ride. Horses may be stripped for conformation at the discretion of the judge. Competitors must wear a safety/kite mark hard hat with a chinstrap. All those entering horses and/or participating in the show agree to be bound by the Retraining of Racehorses Rules and Regulations from time to time in force. The class to be judged 50% jumping, 20% Style while jumping and performance and 30% awarded for show, manners and suitability to be retrained.
PHASE 1
Jumping to be judged:
8 rustic jumps 70cm to 80cm with a maximum spread of 75cm.
The following points to be deducted at the end of each jumping round:
10 points to be deducted for a knock down, 15 points to be deducted for a refusal, 20 points for second refusal. Elimination for third refusal or fall or Error of Course.
PHASE 2
Class returns without boots and judged for an individual show/conformation. (In some classes, at the judge’s discretion, horses might be asked to do a ‘show’ following their jumping without leaving the ring. This is often the case with a large number in the class)
Each horse to complete an individual show of no longer than 1 ½ minutes. Show to include the following movements: walk, trot, canter showing change of leg, extended canter (gallop) halt and stand, walk off on long rein. Total marks out of 30% for Show, manners and suitability to be retrained. Fences for the final at Aintree can be up to a maximum of 85cm with a spread of 80cm.
Prizes: Rosettes 1st – 4th and voucher for a RoR branded prize to the winner. There is also a branded prize for the highest placed Veteran horse (15+) and qualification to the RoR Ridden Veteran Final at the Jockey Club RoR National Championships 2025

Thoroughbred mare or gelding, 4 years old or over, any height, must have raced in GB and have current RoR Competition Membership.  Riders must be 15 years or over on the 1st January of the calendar year holding the classes. Horses will be ridden by the Judge and will be stripped for conformation assessment. Horses to be ridden in a snaffle, pelham or simple double bridle with a plain cavesson noseband. Horses should be plaited. Horses should be ridden in a snaffle, pelham or simple double bridle with a plain cavesson noseband.  Horses should be plaited.
All those entering horses and/or participating in the show agree to be bound by the Retraining of Racehorses Rules and Regulations from time to time in force. Competitors/handlers/grooms must wear a safety/kite mark hard hat with a chinstrap. Racing injuries and blemishes are NOT ignored in this series
The first three go forward to the Final at The Jockey Club RoR National Championships Aintree, August 2025
RoR rosette 1st -4th and a prize voucher to the winner. Voucher to be redeemed from the RoR Office.
To take part in this class, horses must NOT have won: a ridden open class under any affiliated showing society including (inc SEIB/HOYS, BSHA, SHB(GB) BSPS, BSPA, Tattersalls RoR Open /Amateur Ridden Show Series Qualifier, TARRA Ridden, or any other open class except Tattersalls RoR Challenge Show Series, other Working Hunter type classes or In Hand classes. Unaffiliated Show wins are not considered.
Horses may remain in the Tattersalls RoR Novice Ridden Show Series (Formerly RoR Jockey Club Novice Show Series) classes until they have won (win) three Tattersalls RoR Novice Show Series Qualifiers. They are de-noviced on their third novice win or at midnight on the day they win an open class, whichever happens first. They are still eligible to compete in the Tattersalls RoR Novice Final at The Jockey Club RoR National Championships.

Open to all RoR and NR competition registered horses, 3yrs and over, mares, fillies and geldings. Handlers must be 15 years or over on the 1st January of the calendar year holding the class. Horses do not need to be shod to compete in the RoR Open In-Hand class. Horses can be shown in a bitless/In-Hand Bridle. Blemishes caused through racing will be ignored. 
All those entering horses and/or participating in the show agree to be bound by the Retraining of Racehorses Rules and Regulations from time to time in force. Handlers/grooms must wear a safety/kite mark hard hat with a chinstrap.
The first three go forward to the final at The RoR National Championships at Aintree, August 2025. RoR rosettes 1st – 4th and a branded prize to the winner. The prize to be redeemed from the RoR Office.

PONY CLUB PONY, not exceeding 14.2hh (148cms). This class is open to any member of any Pony Club. A jump will be available but only for the purpose of entrants being able to demonstrate ability, should they wish.

Young Handler, handlers to be 12 years and under (must not have attained their 13th birthday on the day of the show) To be judged on presentation and competence of the handler, not the animal that is being shown. Handlers must wear correctly secured British Standard skull caps. No colts or stallions permitted. To be shown in a bridle with a mouthed bit. A Special Rosette will be awarded to each handler not placed.

Native Working Hunter Pony, Large Breeds, New Forest, Highland, Fell, Dales, Connemara, Welsh Section C&D. Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland, Welsh Section A&B, Mare or gelding, 4 years old or over. Maximum height of fences 70cms, riders any age.

Native Working Hunter Pony - Small Breeds, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland, Welsh Section A&B, Mare or gelding, 4 years old or over.

Mixed Height Working Hunter Pony, mare or gelding, 4 years old or over.
Ponies not exceeding 133cms - max height of fences 75cms and rider not to have attained their 14th birthday.
Ponies not exceeding 143cms - max height of fences 80cms and rider not to have attained their 17th birthday.
Ponies not exceeding 153cms - max height of fences 90cms and rider not to have attained their 20th birthday.
Ponies not exceeding 158cms - max height of fences 1.0m and rider not to have attained their 25th birthday.

OPEN LEAD REIN PONY, Mare or gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 127cms. Riders not to have attained their 8th birthday before the 1st January in the current year.

OPEN FIRST RIDDEN CLASS, Mare or gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 127cms. Riders not to have attained their 10th birthday before the 1st January in the current year. No cantering is allowed except for individual performances.

The Mixed Height Open Hunter Pony, Mare or Gelding, 4 years old or over, not exceeding 153cms. Will not be required to jump.

The NPS/SHOWING CLASSICS M&M Leading Rein National Championship, Open to mares and geldings four years old or over not exceeding 122 cms registered in the main body of their respective Breed Society stud book. Riders must have attained their 3rd birthday but must not have attained their 9th birthday before the 1st January in the current year. To be shown in a snaffle bit.
NPS/Corscaron Horse Essentials Home Produced Ridden Championship Qualifier - wear white arm bands.

Open to mares and geldings four years old or over not exceeding 128 cm registered in the main body of their respective Breed Society stud book. Riders must have attained their 3rd birthday but not reached their 12th birthday before the 1st January in the current year.
NPS/Corscaron Horse Essentials Home Produced Ridden Championship Qualifier – wear white arm bands.
NPS/Fiona Cork Saddles Young Rider Championship Qualifier – for rider up to 25 years

Connemara, Dales, Fell, Highland, New Forest, Welsh Section C & D. Open to registered pure bred M&M stallions, mares and geldings four years old or over. Rider any age, with the exception of riders of Stallions who must have attained their 14th birthday before 1st January of the current year. NPS/Corscaron Horse Essentials Home Produced Ridden Championship Qualifier– wear white arm bands.
NPS/Fiona Cork Saddles Young Rider Championship Qualifier – for rider up to 25 years

Connemara, Dales, Fell, Highland, New Forest, Welsh Section C & D. Open to registered pure bred M&M stallions, mares and geldings four years old or over. Rider any age, with the exception of riders of Stallions who must have attained their 14th birthday before 1st January of the current year. NPS/Corscaron Horse Essentials Home Produced Ridden Championship Qualifier– wear white arm bands.
NPS/Fiona Cork Saddles Young Rider Championship Qualifier – for rider up to 25 years

Class 1 - Dartmoor, Exmoor, Welsh Section A & B, 3 years old and under, Colt, Filly or Gelding. Foals not eligible.

Class 2 - New Forest, Highland, Fell, Dales, Connemara, Welsh Section C & D, 3 years old and under, Colt, Filly or Gelding. Foals not eligible.

Mountain & Moorland. Dartmoor, Exmoor, Welsh Section A & B, Mare, Gelding or Stallion, 4 years old or over.

Mountain & Moorland. New Forest, Highland, Fell, Dales, Connemara, Welsh Section C & D, Mare, Gelding or Stallion, 4 years old or over.

Standard Shetland, 3 years old and under, Colt, Filly or Gelding. Foals not eligible.

Standard Shetland, 4 years old and over, Mare, Stallion or Gelding. Foals not eligible.

Miniature Shetland, 3 years old and under, Colt, Filly or Gelding. Foals not eligible.

Miniature Shetland, 4 years old and over, Mare, Stallion or Gelding. Foals not eligible.

CHAPS (UK) NON-NATIVE OPEN IN HAND QUALIFIER, any height. Any age, no foals.

CHAPS (UK) NATIVE / COB / TRADITIONAL OPEN IN HAND QUALIFIER, any height. Any age, no foals

CHAPS (UK) Open Youngstock Qualifier, 1, 2 or 3 year olds; no foals.

CHAPS (UK) Non-Native Open Ridden Qualifier, any height.

CHAPS (UK) Native/Cob/Traditional Open Ridden Qualifier, any height.

VETERAN (15 Years and Over) In Hand, open to horses and ponies, any breed, any height.

VETERAN (15 Years and Over) Ridden, open to horses and ponies, any breed, any height

FANCY DRESS, open to all

Battens Solicitors Limited GRAND FINAL Unaffiliated show jumping. Riders to have qualified at shows in Dorset, Devon and Somerset in order to compete in this class. Riders to be aged 16 years and under on day of show.
There will be a drawn order for this class, which will be published on the Melplash Show website.
Table A7 Speed 325mpm

Inter-Hunt Knock-Out Competition. This competition takes place as a Knockout Tournament in which two teams of three riders per team (riders to be aged 12 years old and over) compete over separate courses simultaneously. Early entry advised, as number of teams limited to eight.

90cms Unaffiliated Open Show Jumping, Single fences only, open to horses and ponies.
Single Phase - Speed 325mpm

1.00m Unaffiliated Open Show Jumping, Single fences only, open to horses and ponies.
Single Phase - Speed 325mpm

The Best Heavy Horse, In Hand, Mare or Gelding without harness, four years old or over. (This is a local class)

The Best Heavy Horse, Gelding, four years old or over.

The Best Heavy Horse, Mare

The Best Heavy Horse, Foal

The Best Heavy Horse, Yearling or two year old.

THE Best Heavy Horse, three years old

The Best Turned-out Heavy Horse in Show Harness, Mare or Gelding, to be shown in breeching harness. To be judged 25% for horse, 75% for harness.

The Best Ridden Heavy Horse, open to pure bred heavy horses, 4 years old and over and registered in the British Stud Books of the Shire, Clydesdale, Suffolk or Percheron Society. Phase 1 - To be judged on manners & way of going within breed type or Judges ride. Phase 2 - conformation, type, freedom of action.

Best Shod Heavy Horse, all heavy horses will automatically be entered into this class. A competition sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Farriers, for the Best Shod horse in the Heavy Horse Section (Classes 80 - 87, excluding foal class). The judge will examine each horse before or during the line-up for preliminary judging, taking into consideration:

a. The condition of the feet
b. The making (or preparation) and fitting of the shoes
c. The nailing and the position of clips.

Normal shoes and showing plates are equally acceptable, provided they are suitable for the horse.

The Worshipful Company of Farriers will award:

• A Rosette and Inscribed Card to the winner
• A Brass plaque to the winner
• A Brass plaque to the Registered Farrier responsible for its feet and shoeing