• What is the Heritage Colt Classic?

    We are offering local trainers an opportunity to demonstrate their skills on our Sporthorse colts! Trainers will apply to compete against other trainers on a clean slate, colts who have had basic handling but are by no means feral.

    Trainers will have 100 days to work with their horse and will compete against colts of the same age at the end of the time period.

    At the end of 100 days, we will have a 2-part competition series: an obstacle course on-trail competition and a FACEBOOK LIVE popularity contest.

    Our goal in this is not who can force their colt to do the “most” - if you have a colt who is exceptionally difficult, there is more merit in taking that colt as far as he can go within his limits than to shut him down and force him to a level that he is not mentally prepared for yet.

    Winners are awarded significant cash prizes, belt buckles, and more!!!

    There is no charge to participate in the competition.

  • How will we be paired with our horse?

    Trainers will meet at the Colt Selection Summit to choose their horses.

    Selection is semi-random, meaning that the trainers will pull numbers out of a hat and get to choose their colt in order of number.

    This means that if Susan pulled number 1, Bob pulled number 2, George pulled number 3, and Jordan pulled number 4, that Susan would get to choose her colt out of the herd first, then Bob would get to choose, and so on and so forth until everyone has a colt.

  • How is the competition judged?

    The competition by which rankings are determined will be judged by a panel of multiple judges of varying backgrounds and credentials to avoid any bias, to mediate conflicts in personal opinion regarding a horse’s performance, and to create a more “fair” scoring system.

    The obstacles will not be published prior to competition so that there is no possibility of preparation for a specific obstacle or situation.

    At the end of 100 days, we will have a 2-part competition series: an obstacle course on-trail competition and a FACEBOOK LIVE popularity contest.

  • Who is responsible for the cost of care?

    Spring Valley will pay for the cost of all healthcare of the colts during their training time. This is to include Coggins, vaccinations, farrier work, any bloodwork that is required or recommended, grain, etc.. and board is free if the colts are kept at the farm.

    With permission, you may board colts at an off-site facility of your choice. SVF will not pay for board at other facilities - that is the financial burden of the trainer in question.

    Regular photos and videos of the colts are required for participation in the program and will be used to publish on social media for the purpose of including the public in this experience.

    Training is a stressful time for young horses and we want them to be CALORIE POSITIVE during their time in work, so we will work with all trainers to make sure that the colts are gaining, not losing, and will come out of training FATTER than they went in.

    None of these colts are in poor condition - they are all at “ideal” body weight or fatter. If a colt is obese and weight loss is in his/her best interest, then a nutrition plan will be devised to control weight loss and determine a timeline for the animal’s specific caloric needs.

    We are not looking for this time to be “rehabilitation” by any means, but we also do not want to have to rehab any of these colts after their training is completed.

  • What are the requirements during the competition?

    Competitors will submit one short clip per week to demonstrate that the colt is being worked with and to illustrate their progress through the process.

    Regular photos and videos of the colts are required for participation in the program and will be used to publish on social media for the purpose of including the public in this experience.

  • How do I sign Up!?

    APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THIS SEASON’S COMPETION.

    ***Please check back for our next date!

COMPETITION PRIZES

*All money is added by Spring Valley Farm

  • $200 per horse in class + flat $1,000 “added money”

    Example: we have seven colts in our 2020 class. If we have seven trainers, then the cash prize for first place will be (7 x $200 = $1,400) plus $1,000. So in this scenario, first place would receive $2,400. Second place would be awarded half of first place - $1,200. Third place is awarded half of second place - $600.

    If there are only three trainers in the 2020 class, first place would be awarded (3 x $200 = $600) plus $1,000 = $1,600. Second place would be $800 and third place would be $400. So it is in your best interest that many trainers commit to the competition, because the more “play”, the more there is to win!

  • $150 per horse in class + flat $800 “added money”

    Example: we have ten colts in our 2021 class. If we have ten trainers, then the cash prize for first place will be (10 x $150 = $1,500) plus $800. So in this scenario, first place would receive $2,300. Second place would be awarded half of first place - $1,150. Third place is awarded half of second place - $575.

  • $100 per horse in class + flat $600 “added money”

    Example: we have sixteen colts in our 2022 class. If we have sixteen trainers, then the cash prize for first place will be (16 x $100 = $1,600) plus $600. So in this scenario, first place would receive $2,200. Second place would be awarded half of first place - $1,100. Third place is awarded half of second place - $550.

  • $50 per horse in class + flat $400 “added money”

    Example: we have ten colts in our 2023 class. If we have ten trainers, then the cash prize for first place will be (10 x $50 = $500) plus $400. So in this scenario, first place would receive $900. Second place would be awarded half of first place - $450. Third place is awarded half of second place - $225.

    These colts will be limited on saddle work. Only age-appropriate training.

Important Dates

  • April 1st @ 6pm

    On April 1st, we will begin reviewing applications and we will announce our selections for the competition within a few days!

  • April 12th @ 10am

    Trainers who have been selected for the competition will gather at Spring Valley on the 12th to choose their partner. We will draw numbers and the trainers will select their steeds in order of the number drawing. If trainers are taking their horses off-site, they may take them on this day.

  • May 3rd

    Colt Training is officially starting!

    This is an opportunity for us to finalize the teams, share more details, and answer any questions you might have.

  • August 16th @ 10am

    Today’s the day! We will announce the schedule more specifically once we have a final count of teams. Colts must be on site by this day for competition and will remain on site afterwards.