Show day information

Our next schooling show is Saturday, October 17, 2026, at MacNair's Country Acres, 2721 Dover Farm Road, Raleigh, NC 27606. You can see the full 2026 series on our schooling shows page.

Parking is in the front field, marked by a sign when you first drive in. You may not drop off or park at the barn unless you are staff or have a handicapped placard.

Horses are warming up and showing throughout the day, and people walking up the road can startle them. Please walk through the field up to the gate by the barn instead.

MacNair's lesson students should arrive at 7:30 AM and go first to the white show tent at the front ring to pick up an assigned number. Riders can keep their numbers afterward if they like.

After picking up your number, riders on main barn horses check in with the person holding a clipboard in the barn to learn when to start grooming and tacking. Riders on Legacy Barn horses go down to help get their horses ready and bring them up to the main barn.

Boarders and off-site riders may arrive at their leisure, and open schooling is available from 7:15 to 8:15 AM. Class start times are not guaranteed, though, so we recommend arriving early to be sure you do not miss your class.

Open schooling runs from 7:15 to 8:15 AM and the show begins at 8:30 AM in both rings. This is the same at every MacNair's schooling show.

No. Dogs are not allowed at our schooling shows, so please leave your dog at home.

No. There are no Saturday lessons on October 17 because of the show. If you normally ride on Saturdays, that date has been left off your invoice for the month.

The October 17 schedule is ready. You can download the schedule PDF from the button at the top of this page. It lists every class in both rings, with estimated times and the riders and horses in each class.

No. The times on the schedule are there to give you a general idea of how the show will run and should not be relied upon for making your class. The order of classes may also shift during the day, so plan to be at the ring well ahead of your estimated time.

Both rings run at the same time. The prize list shows the schedule and which classes run in which ring, so review it before show day.

Yes. ASTM and SEI certified helmets are required for all mounted riders.

Ribbons are awarded first through sixth place in regular classes. In the Haunted Costume Derby, each rider receives a derby ribbon for their combined equitation and costume score.

No. Open schooling runs from 7:15 to 8:15 AM, and once the show begins at 8:30 AM the show rings are closed to schooling, though we keep other warm-up rings open all day. If your horse needs to see the jumps before showing, coming for open schooling may be helpful.

Go straight to the ring you are showing in and check in there.

Yes. Our instructors and volunteers direct riders throughout the day so you know where to be and when for grooming and tacking, warming up before your class, and show time itself. You can also come find us at the show office with any questions.

Both are on this page, in the October 17 class guides section above, with a separate pattern and question list for the walk, trot division and the walk, trot, canter division. Each one is also available as a printable PDF.

Showmanship is judged in hand, meaning you lead your horse rather than ride it. You enter as a group at the walk, line up in front of the mirrors, complete an individual pattern around a cone and over a ground pole, then halt for the judge's inspection. The judge evaluates grooming, cleanliness, style, and turnout of both horse and student, and asks one or more horsemanship questions from the published list.

The Haunted Costume Derby is the featured class at our October 17 schooling show. Riders design a Halloween costume for themselves and their horse, worn over show attire. It runs in the covered arena as Class 7, Walk / Trot, and Classes 8 and 9, Walk / Trot / Canter, and the front ring has its own separate Haunted Costume Derby class, Class 15. Riders enter at the walk, the announcer calls instructions once everyone is in the ring, and themed music plays during the class.

Each rider receives two scores. The equitation score comes from riding at the walk and trot in both directions in Class 7, or the walk, trot, and canter in both directions in Classes 8 and 9. The costume score comes from the judge's inspection while riders line up in the center of the ring. The two scores are combined, and each rider receives a derby ribbon for their total.

Every costume attachment on the horse must break away instantly in case it catches on a standard or fence. Never cover the horse's eyes. Avoid flapping or noisy textures such as loose capes, crinkling plastic, or dangling chains and bells that could spook horses. Your helmet must be worn at all times and can be worked into the costume, but never replaced. After the class, remove all traces of the costume, including sponging off any paint.

Yes. The front ring has its own separate Haunted Costume Derby class, Class 15. Riders show in their regular show attire in their division classes and wear a costume only in the derby, where they are welcome to dress up their horse too. Please follow the same costume safety rules. Course and class information for the front ring is posted ringside on show day.

Water-based paints are fine on school horses, but please use no oil-based paints and no paint of any kind in the horse's mane or tail. All paint must be sponged off after the class.

Course and class information for the outdoor front ring is posted ringside on show day. Check the diagrams at the white show tent at the front ring before your class, and ask a trainer or the front ring scorekeeper if anything is unclear.

Please do. Our schooling shows are open to spectators and it is a fun day for everyone. We do not have bleachers or seating, so bring a camp chair and find a spot by the rail.

Yes. Our IEA team runs a concession stand at the barn with plenty of good food to eat. All proceeds go to the team, so please stop by and support them.

Yes. Our schooling shows are open to MacNair's riders and to riders from other barns. Visiting riders who register by the Monday before the show have the grounds fee waived. See our schooling shows page for the prize list and registration.