About The Venue

Located just a few miles south of Lexington, in beautiful Wilmore, Kentucky, the Asbury University Equine Program strives for its students to become Christ-centered leaders in the equine Industry. The Palisades Farm as it is called was the dream of Harold Rainwater beginning in 1978, and he remains the Center's Director today.  Under his leadership the Center now has 341 beautiful acres which consists of pasture fields, trails, 3 round pens, 2 barns, an indoor riding arena, and two outdoor riding arenas.  To read more about the Asbury University Equine Program click here: https://www.asbury.edu/academics/departments/natural-sciences/hper/equine-center

Current Coggins and Health Certificate are required for each horse brought onto the property.  An Asbury University "Release of Liability" must be signed at Registration.  Stalling is available for overnight, as is camping with generators. Although there is no fee for overnight camping.  Stall fees are $15 per stall.  Bedding is included.  There are a limited number of stalls available, please reserve them with your online ride registration.  Restrooms are available in the barns.  

All profit made over the cost of expenses for the Obstacle Course event will be donated to the Rainhill Equine Facility in Bowling Green, KY.  Rainhill Equine Facility is a 501c3 non-profit equine rescue that gives lifelong sanctuary to blind horses and horses with severe disabilities.  No horse that enters REF is ever sold, rehomed, fostered, or adopted out.  Karen Thurman is the founder and Chief Operating Officer of REF.  She has dedicated her life to caring for some of the most helpless and defenseless horses giving them safe haven and lots of loving care.  Additional information about REF can be viewed at:    http://rainhillequinefacili.wixsite.com/refhome  

The closest area motels include the Asbury Inn https://asburyinn.com/ and the Comfort Inn https://www.choicehotels.com/kentucky/nicholasville/comfort-inn-hotels/ky271?source=gyxt

Asbury University Equine Center requires every mounted rider to wear a helmet, regardless of age.  Please bring a helmet.  If you do not have one, there are some helmets available at the equine center you may borrow.  No rider will be allowed to participate without a helmet. 

Event Details

Come try our Obstacle Courses.  We will be offering an in-hand and mounted obstacle course.  Each course will have no less than eight obstacles.  The obstacles will be comprised of man-made and natural type obstacles.  We hope you will find them fun and challenging.     

ALL Breeds and ALL Disciplines are welcomed.  Companion rides will not be available for this event.  

***WE WILL RIDE, RAIN OR SHINE.  

THE OBSTACLE COURSE EVENT IS LIMITED TO 60 RIDERS.  Ride-along registrations will not be accepted for this event.  Registration deadline for participants is at 12:00 pm on Friday, 10/25/19. 

The Terrain

The obstacle course will be set up in a large open field of rolling Bluegrass with a small outcropping of trees.  Equine trail boots or shoes are not required.  Please use your discretion.    

Meals

A selection of hot soups, sandwiches, assorted chips, drinks and cookies will be available.  You may also pack your own lunch.  There is no fee for lunch but donations received will benefit the blind horses at Rainhill Equine Facility.       

Awards

After all riders complete the course and scores are being tabulated, there will be a judge's shout-out, followed by the awards for the top six finishers in all three categories - Novice, Intermediate and Advanced.  To learn more visit: https://www.equinetrailsports.com/ 

EVENT AWARDS

• ETS rosette ribbons are awarded 1st through 6th place for each bracket – Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced
• ETS ribbons are awarded for 1st-3rd place Junior (age 13-17) & Youngin' (age 7-12).
• ETS ribbon is awarded to the high score Newcomer for the day!
• Mileage Points are accumulated for all riders and equines.
• Placement Points are earned based on your bracket ranking for all riders.
• Ranking Points are accumulated for all riders no matter the equine.

This is the final event for the Battle in the Bluegrass Tournament.  All tournament eligible riders will be vying for prizes.  The tournament placements are separate from the competition placements for the day.  Winners will be announced during the award ceremonies. Tournament scores will be calculated using a weighted obstacle average.  Buckles will be awarded to three tournament winners based on the highest weighted obstacle average of six Kentucky hosted ETS events.  

Additional Fees

A $3 fee will be accessed for the 2019 ETS Kentucky Tournament.  This fee with be used for the year-end tournament prizes.  

KENTUCKY BATTLE IN THE BLUEGRASS BUCKLE TOURNAMENT

The Asbury Autumn Obstacle Course event is part of an 2019 Kentucky Battle in the Bluegrass Buckle Tournament.  The tournament consists of several ETS events throughout the year at different Kentucky venues and put on by different hosts.  The top winners in the three brackets (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced) will receive prizes at the end of the tournament.  The champions in each bracket will receive a buckle.  Other prizes to be determined.  Points earned at this event and other tournament-sponsored events will accumulate towards your total for the tournament.  Eligible tournament competitors consist of the same equine and same competitor team throughout the tournament year.  Learn more here https://www.equinetrailsports.com/tournaments/

Additional Opportunities

WHY ETS?

• Earn breed points for your equine.  Check out some of our breed association partners at https://www.equinetrailsports.com/breed/
• 3 levels of difficulty to choose at EACH obstacle - Novice, Intermediate, Advanced  
• Obstacles are not timed, partial scores for attempts!
• Year end and lifetime awards for equine and competitors
• Easy on-line registration
• View your scores on-line, compare your scores to fellow competitors
• Competitors 22 years and younger – free membership & ride reduced registration fees  
• Simple membership options including a Daypass
• No charge for registering equines
• ETS trained and certified judges
• Judges give helpful feedback and tips at the awards ceremony
• Reliable Customer Support
• Optional Tournaments available for added Fun!

Did you know that becoming a certified ETS judge is easier than you might think and it is a lot of fun?  You can begin the process on your computer from the comfort of your home.  If you are interested in learning how to become a judge, see our judges section and sign up for a FREE webinar in our events section.  https://www.equinetrailsports.com/judge_cert/