VHSA/M+S Medal Finals Festival

The 2026 Medal Finals Festival will be held at the Lexington National Horse show the weekend of August 7th. In order to be qualified for the Medal Finals a current member must have either Two Blues or a minimum amount of points. Below is the 2026 minimum amount of points that are required for each Medal Final:

VHSA/EMO Children's Medal - Minimum of 50.0 points (August 7th at 6:30 p.m.)

Junior Equitation on the Flat - Minimum of 50.0 points (August 8th at 6:00 p.m.)

Hunter Seat Medal - Minimum of 6.0 points ( August 8th, immediately after Jr. Flat)

Amateur Equitation on the Flat - 35 & Under - Minimum of 5.0 points (August 9th at 7:45 a.m.)

Amateur Equitation on the Flat-36 + Older - Minimum of 5.0 points (August 9th, immediately after Younger)

Adult Amateur Medal - Mini of 8.0 points (August 9th, immediately after Amateur Flat)

To ENTER the Medal Finals, an exhibitor MUST complete the ENTRY FORM and e-mail it to the VHSA Office at vhsa@verizon.net. There is a $100 entry fee that can either be paid by clicking PAY DUES above, click on Medal Finals OR complete the credit card information on the Entry Form. The Entry is not complete until we receive the ENTRY FORM and payment.

ENTRY FORM

PROFILE SHEET

Please complete the Profile Sheet for ALL Over Fence Medal Finals.  Please e-mail the Profile Sheet to the VHSA Office as well.  We will need these for the Announcer at the show.

We are pleased to announce a brand new Award for 2026.  The "Early Entry Award" is to award exhibitors who submit their completed Entry for the Finals in a timely manner. This is based upon the date and time that we received the Entry Form, Profile Sheet and Entry Fee.

In appreciation, we awarded the first two Entries that were received, a 2027 VHSA Annual Membership, along with a $25 Gift Card for Starbucks.

The 27th Annual VHSA Junior Horsemanship Competition  

This three phase competition is designed to reward young riders who best show their expertise in a combination of equine knowledge, riding ability, thorough understanding of their horse’s needs, and how to take care of them properly.

Thursday Afternoon Written Test - 20%
Friday and Saturday Practicum - 30%
Saturday evening 1st Round of the VHSA Hunter Seat Medal-50%

(All ties will be broken using the higher score of the 1st Round score of the VHSA Hunter Seat Medal)

The individual who scores the highest on the Written Test will be awarded The Claiborne Bishop Excellence Award.

The Written Test will be administered on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room (across from horse show office). If you are unavailable to take the test at this time, please see Angie or Kathy (VHSA Representatives) who will be set up next to the Horse Show Office (first door on left as you come in the building) to set up a time to take the written test.

The Practicum will be held, by reservation only, on Friday and Saturday. Ms. Elise Roschen with Hollins University, will be holding the Practicum in the first stall directly across from the Show Office. In order to make your reservation for the Practicum, please see the Practicum Sign-Up Sheet.  Please e-mail the VHSA office directly at (vhsa@verizon.net) with the date and time and I will let you know if that day and time is reserved for you or not via e-mail confirmation.

The Junior who has entered the Hunter Seat Medal Final and scores the highest points on the Written Exam will win the Claiborne Bishop Excellence Award.

The following is a Study Guide for all who are participating in the Written Exam portion of the Junior Horsemanship Competition.

HORSEMANSHIP STUDY GUIDE

The Written Test is open to all who are entered into the Hunter Seat Medal, as well as those who are qualified for the Children's Medal Final, as practice only.