Downeast Medal Finals

December 2024

September 11-14, 2025

Visit our website for more information about Downeast. We welcome all feedback and suggestions: please email Ginger at ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com

Message from the President

We are nearing the end of the 2024 show season and it was a wonderful year. Lots of horse shows and lots of people showing. We had a great finals in September and are already planning to be better in 2025! The new special children’s/adult division was a success, as well as the inaugural 2’ Derby. We have already had shows applying for dates in 2025, be sure to get your applications in early!

We are the largest show in Maine and offer the most prize money of any show in the state with over $10,000 in cash and prizes. Not only do the Derbies offer cash awards but the Horsemanship Challenge as well! We offer a fun and competitive showing experience, two judges, an electronic leaderboard, wonderful jumps and courses, several schooling areas, permanent stalls, professional staff, a free exhibitors' dinner, a blacksmith on grounds and an on-call veterinarian nearby. Things that you may not see are a recognized steward on grounds for the entire show, an EMT on grounds for the warm-ups Thursday and all day (including the early morning warm ups) throughout the show, a professional jump crew and course designer.

Our medal class winners receive beautiful ribbons, lovely picture frames complete with their winning pictures, as well as fantastic awards and gift certificates! Our riders are always amazed at the wonderful prizes throughout the show.

If you are looking for a great show to start your medal quest, or if you just want to get the feel of a large show, come to Skowhegan in September. Everyone is welcome, you do not need to qualify in order to show in all of our regular classes and Derbies. Come join us for a fun weekend of competitive showing.

A lot of people don’t realize that the $500 Young Hunter Futurity is a way for us to recognize up and coming young horses. This class is for all horses aged 4-7 years who compete in any of the three hunter derbies, and 2 other classes at the show. Sometimes it is harder for the young horses to compete against the more seasoned show horses; this is a way to showcase these less experienced horses. If you are showing a younger horse, consider entering this class for your points to count!

With so many shows to choose from, we truly appreciate everyone who chooses to show at DMF. This is your show, we work hard all year to bring you the best show possible. Any thoughts that you may have for us to improve your experience, please let us know, we are always open to ideas. Riders, please feel free to send us your rider bios and pictures so that we can feature you in the newsletter.

My profound thanks to all of our sponsors and staff who help to make this show happen, as well as our loyal trainers, riders, parents and friends.

We look forward to seeing everyone September 11-14, 2025. Have a great holiday season!

-Ginger

If you are a Downeast Medal Finals rider, we would like to feature you! Send your bio and picture to ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com

Hunter Riders: Equitation Counts!

Sandy Ferrell with Tricia Conahan on Practical Horseman

The issue of equitation usually comes up in a training session when I’ve reminded an amateur rider to keep her heels down or her body quiet over the fence. The rider pulls up and politely asks, “We’re being judged on how my horse goes around the hunter ring, not on my equitation. So why does my position make a difference?”

It’s an honest question. But I believe that equitation totally matters. As hunter riders, we present a visual of the horse as our dance partner, flowing elegantly around the ring. When our bodies are doing things that are unattractive or distracting, it ruins that visual ballet. Yes, the horse is the one being judged—but the judge still sees the total picture.

Also remember that form equals function. Classical style doesn’t just make you a prettier rider, it makes you a better rider. If your eyes are up and your shoulders back, you will create a better balance with your horse. Closing your fingers and keeping your reins the right length—with your elbows just in front of your rib cage, forming a straight line to your hands and your horse’s mouth—sets you up to land organized and in balance after a fence and execute a good lead change. Stretching your legs down around your horse’s sides, with weight in your heels and your toes properly aligned with your kneecaps, provides the base of support necessary to keep you in balance and use your leg aids effectively.

So why do we see so many successful professionals riding with less-than-perfect form? Most of them are super talented—they have years of experience and are very accurate to the fences. Plus, many of them are extremely well mounted, riding athletic horses with beautiful jumping styles. Judges are less likely to be distracted from the overall picture by minor rider faults. In contrast, horses with average talent and presence aren’t quite as captivating, so judges are more likely to notice their riders’ mistakes. The classical style, therefore, will always be the most effective way to ride and compete.

Watch the professional riders who embrace good equitation; study their bodies and how quiet they are. Peter Wylde has the most beautiful arms and hands. McLain Ward always rides with a strong leg position, regardless of the size of the fence. And there are some new young professionals, such as Cassandra Kahle and Laena Romond, who ride with beautiful style. The success of these people at the highest level of our sport proves that good equitation works.

Correct equitation means you can make good things happen on course because of—not in spite of—your position. To develop classical style, you need to feel and experience how good form helps both you and your horse every time you perform. In the following exercises, I’ll share my solutions for common equitation problems.

Read the rest of the article here.

2025 Shows with DMF Qualifying Classes

Qualifying for DMF 2025:

Apr. 26 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

May 4 Coastal Classic, Nobleboro, ME

May 17 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

June 14 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

July 26 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

Aug. 9 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

Sept. 6 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

Want to see your show listed here? Fill out our Downeast Classes Form to host our classes!

Become a Downeast Medal Finals Sponsor:

All levels accepted and appreciated!

Visit www.downeastmedalfinals.com for more information.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please email Ginger at ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com.

Thank you to Spotted Vision Photography, It's A Horse Life Photography, Hillary Turner, and Riitta Fortier for providing us with many wonderful photographs from the Downeast Medal Finals.