ATTENTION:  A horse/rider combo (or eq rider on any horse) must compete in their division at a minimum of four AOF shows to receive a Year End Award for that division (or Leadline, Equitation on the Flat, or Equitation Over Fences)

Year End Points are figured based on horse/rider (pony/rider) combination. For example, if Mary and Susan and Laura all show Blaze in different performance classes, the points are counted separately 3 ways, not totaled for Blaze’s points. If Mary rides 2 different horses in the same division, the points will be done separately. Equitation points are on rider no matter which horse/pony they ride. Contact show manager with any questions.

*NOTICE* AOF HAS DECIDED TO NO LONGER BE SANCTIONED BY VHSA OR BHSA

Please be prepared to leave an open check made out to Autumn Olive Farm. Cash or check accepted. No electronic payments allowed. (PayPal, Venmo, etc.)

AUTUMN OLIVE FARM holds a hunter show series. Hunter tack for all classes except the Special Needs class and the Open division (for bareback, western, dressage, or any non-hunter saddle). “Jumping/Fox hunting” tack may be allowed. Contact show manager.

AOF has added a new Special Needs class. Our AOF (Always Only Fun) Special Needs class will be offered for any aged rider that cannot ride alone (we have easy classes for those that can ride alone).  Entries may ride or lead their horse.  Side-walkers and back-riders are allowed. Capable person should be leading mounted horses.  This will not be a competition.  Each rider, or leader – if they are leading their horse – will receive a special multicolored ribbon.  Informal attire and any kind of tack is allowed.  Horses led without riders can have bridle or halter w/lead rope.  Riders must wear helmets, leaders don’t need to.  I have not decided whether to or how to figure a Year End winner.  My basis for not doing placings is that some ‘disabled’ people cannot ‘get better’, so making it a competition is not truly fair.  I have a disabled daughter and I worked with disabled riders for over 10 years before she was born, and still do, so I feel I have some experience in this matter.  I don’t like the ‘everyone is a winner’ thing for ‘normal’ kids, but in this case, I want special riders to feel welcome in the show ring and to just enjoy riding and getting the applause and recognition that they DID IT! You may contact show manager with any questions.

AOF also has a Leadline Eq division. This is not like most Leadline classes. This will be judged 100% on equitation. Age and size of rider will be taken into consideration. The classes get more difficult as they go along. Most riders can do the first class. Riders cannot enter any other classes. Hunter tack and informal attire is allowed (proper helmet, heeled boots/shoes, polo or collared/buttoned shirt). The first class is being led at a walk both ways around the judge. The second class is the same but during the line up, each rider will be asked a horse/tack related question – or they may be asked to perform a simple task. The third class, each rider will ride towards (a person). They will walk 5-10 steps and halt a few seconds, then walk again and halt. Leader should not assist. If rider does not reach (the person) then leader can complete the distance to the person. Champion and Reserve will be given and Year End Awards will be given. A complete description can be downloaded from the “shows” page. You may contact show manager with any questions.

AOF has added another new division: Pre-Long Eq. This division is the same a Pre-Short Eq except for riders 13 and older (including adult amateurs) that are not ready to show at a canter. Riders will walk, halt, back, 2pt walk, sitting trot, posting trot, 2pt trot. A complete description can be downloaded from the “shows” page. You may contact show manager with any questions.

Our Eq Preview is for riders of any age (including adult amateurs) that can walk and do a brief sitting trot. Riders cannot enter any other classes. Informal attire is okay. This division will run after Leadline Eq and before Pre-Short Eq. It will run as follows: Class 1-A: walk, halt, back. 1-B: walk, 2-point walk, turn a circle both ways like a figure 8. 1-C: line up head to tail, walk then brief sitting trot then back to walk, 2-point walk poles then halt. Assistants may go in with riders but should try not to touch horse.

See prizelist or eq division descriptions for more information. Here are our divisions:

In any divisions, riders may enter the first class only or first and second classes only. But cannot enter the second class only or third class only, or second and third classes only.

Professionals cannot enter any equitation classes or divisions.

AOF Special Needs – all ages, physical, mental or emotional challenges which make it difficult to ride without assistance.

Leadline Eq – 7 and under. (Riders not good at or 2pt walk or sitting trot.)

Eq Preview for all ages, including adult amateurs. (Riders not good at a posting or 2pt trot.)

Pre-Short Eq – 12 and under. (Riders not good at cantering.)

Pre-Long Eq – 13 and older, including adult amateurs. (Riders not good at cantering.)

Short Eq – 12 and under. (WTC and 18″ jumps)

Long Eq – 13 and older, including adult amateurs. (WTC and 18″ jumps)

Upper Eq – All ages, including adult amateurs. (WTC and 2 ft jumps)

Brave Eq – All ages, including adult amateurs. (WTC and 2’6″ jumps)

Open – Bareback or any non-hunter saddle, gaited horses allowed. (WTC, jog, lope, gait)

Flat Eq – 12 & under, 13 to adult. (WTC or judge’s requests)

Pleasure – Pony, Junior Horse, Adult Horse. (WTC)

Jumping Eq – 2′ or 2’6″. (No flat class)

Starter – 18″ or 2′ (walk/trot only on flat) – horse’s first year showing their chosen height (or rider’s first year jumping out of their AOF Eq division).

Baby Green – 18″ – Open to all. (WTC on flat)

Low – 2′ – Open to all

Medium – 2’6″ – Open to all

High – 2’9″ or 3′ – Open to all

2026 Show Dates

• March 21 – Mary Harp
• April 18 – Dora Wynne
• May 16 – Susan Wendt
• June 13 – Becca Pizmoht
• July 11 – Denise Bramhall
• August 8 – Jennifer Traylor
• September 5 – Rebecca Grey
• October 3 – Edee McGregor

California Warm-Ups are available at all shows (must pay entry fee – no ribbon or points)

Unjudged entry is allowed in any class (must pay entry fee – no ribbon or points).

Notice: In a division that has two jump courses then a flat class, you MUST pay and enter the ring and at least attempt the first jump of the course in order to ride in the flat class. You may not enter the flat class of a division without riding in at least the first jumping class of the division.

AOF can rent a horse for flat classes, if available, for a $30 fee per show. Maybe your equitation horse comes up lame or is misbehaving. Or another reason. Check with us prior to the show, or at the show. If you need a horse to jump, please discuss with us to see if we can assist.

We have a farrier on grounds. If your horse loses a shoe, we can put one on for you. You will pay the farrier separate from your entry fees.

We have plenty of parking and an enclosed dressing room. A water hose is near the barn. The ring footing is sand/stonedust and most of our jumps are non-scary for green horses and/or beginner riders (no oxers). There is a schooling ring with jumps in the field. The loudspeaker can easily be heard from the parking area and schooling area, and the secretary stand is near the ring for last minute assistance. We have a food booth for your convenience. Although we do not allow parking next to the rail, there is plenty of room for people to stand or sit in our covered viewing platform.

MORE SHOW INFORMATION

AOF shows are based on VHSA rules but may be altered by show manager.  Mules, donkeys and zebras are allowed in any class. Minis may be led in the Special Needs class but cannot be ridden. You MUST leave a paper coggins copy. No phone pics.

We give 6 ribbons in each division along with a Champion and Reserve. Year End awards will be given at the final show of the series.  Year End awards will be given for each division (Champion thru 6th place) along with a Year End Overall High Point (Champion and Reserve only) for Horse, Pony, Junior Equitation and Adult Equitation (remember, you must show in your division at least 4 shows to compete for an award).  The shows will be held on Saturdays.

Please contact Autumn Olive Farm for your division points. Sorry we are unable to do a pdf of points to put on the webpage.  For the AOF Overall Year End High Point, the points are done by horse, pony, junior eq and adult eq.  Year End Awards are done in all divisions. AOF gives the points even if only one or two entries were in a class. There are some horses/riders that, if they come to the final show, will make their four-show requirement.  If you have any questions about your AOF points, please contact show manager at:  autumnolivefarm@msn.com  Thank you.:

Our final hunter show in October is our annual “HOrsey Rett Syndrome Event” benefit show. The H.O.R.S.E. Benefit Show is to raise money for Rett Syndrome (see www.rettsyndrome.org) which is the developmental disorder that affects the Blunk’s daughter, Chelsi (*see below).  The majority of the proceeds from this show will be donated to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation for research into this debilitating disorder.   Class/Division sponsorships are accepted and 100% of the sponsorships will be donated to IRSF.  Also, we will be awarding the Year End prizes to Champion, Reserve, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place winners in each division (may give up to 10th place), along with the Year End Overall Champion and Reserve High Points:  Horse, Pony, Jr. Equitation, Adult Equitation.

Some AUTUMN OLIVE FARM DIVISIONS explained:

Starter – 18″ straight rails or 2′.  The flat class will be walk/trot only – no canter.  It is open to horses and ponies in first year of jumping chosen height (or rider’s first year jumping height out of the AOF Eq division). Walking and trotting allowed while jumping.  Horses/ponies may cross enter to any other division.

Open Pleasure – Walk/Trot/Jog/Gait, GAYP, Walk/Trot/Jog/Gait/Canter/Lope – Open to all horses/ponies, including gaited – no rider limitations. Bareback allowed.  Tack: Any saddle that cannot be used in a hunter class – Western, gaited, saddleseat, dressage, non-hunter sidesaddle, bareback, etc.  Informal attire allowed. Only saddles NOT allowed in a hunter class may be used. Any bridle is okay.

AUTUMN OLIVE FARM appreciates your attendance at our events!
We hope your visits are always enjoyable.

DAY-OF-SHOW PHONE NUMBER:  804-366-9876

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PLEASE NOTE: We have a new prizelist with new divisions and some rule changes.

* Chelsi was born on August 12, 1991. She was born “normal”. Between 6 and 18 months she began to lose her acquired developmental skills. At 18 months she could no longer speak and lost functional use of her hands. Her ability to walk diminished and by the time she was a teen, she used a wheel chair (she can walk short distances with help). Chelsi has amazing cognitive skills and knows what is said to her. She enjoys watching TV and has shows that she particularly gets excited to watch.  Chelsi showed in a Leadline class at our 2015 H.O.R.S.E. Benefit Show. Photo by Sean Reilly.