Light Horse

About

Welcome to the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition, home to one of Eastern Nova Scotia’s largest Light Horse shows. Our event features Western and English classes, MBRA Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and a wide range of classes for competitors of all ages. The four-day show begins Thursday with English classes, continues Friday with Western classes, and wraps up on the weekend with fun classes, barrels, and poles. Rule updates now allow Thursday and Friday competitors to leave after their final class, while weekend competitors must remain until 5 p.m.

We hope every competitor enjoys their time with their horses and ponies while making memories and competing for prizes and champion awards. We are grateful for the continued interest in this division and for the generous support of our sponsors.

Join us in celebrating the Light Horse Division!

About

Welcome to the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition, home to one of Eastern Nova Scotia’s largest Light Horse shows. Our event features Western and English classes, MBRA Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and a wide range of classes for competitors of all ages. The four-day show begins Thursday with English classes, continues Friday with Western classes, and wraps up on the weekend with fun classes, barrels, and poles. Rule updates now allow Thursday and Friday competitors to leave after their final class, while weekend competitors must remain until 5 p.m.

We hope every competitor enjoys their time with their horses and ponies while making memories and competing for prizes and champion awards. We are grateful for the continued interest in this division and for the generous support of our sponsors.

Join us in celebrating the Light Horse Division!

Prizes & Awards

Stable Competition

Stable awards will be judged based on the display and neatness in front of the stall. Please maintain the barn in an orderly condition and accommodate public visitors. Competitions will be held for English day, Western day, and weekend participants.

Hunter Champion

This prize will be given to the top horse or pony and rider combination from any over fence’s classes. In the event of a tie, the placing in the equitation class will serve as the tiebreaker.

Halter Champion

This prize will be awarded to the horse or pony overall Halter Champion.

Turnout Award

Given to the judge’s choice for best turned-out English and Western horse / pony and rider. Turnout includes cleanliness and attention to detail of horse / pony, tack, and rider.

Sportsmanship Award

Given to the exhibitor demonstrating the best sportsmanship during the competition, as decided by the judge with office and in-gate staff input.

Stake Classes Prize Money

1st place – 30%
2nd place – 25%
3rd place – 20%
4th place – 15%
5th place – 15%

Rules & Regulations

DISCLAIMER: The Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition Light Horse Show, its management, organizing committee, officials or show staff, volunteers are not responsible for accidents, injury or damage to any rider, exhibitor, spectator, groom, attendant, trainer or other employee; or animals, nor theft, loss or damage to animals, vehicles or equipment. ENSE reserves the right to refuse any entry and to limit the number of entries.

The Show Office is in the Arena’s upstairs Board Room. It opens an hour before the competition starts and closes 30 minutes after the last class ends.

Rules

All fees, waiver, and proof of Equestrian Nova Scotia liability insurance or equivalent must be provided with entry forms to be accepted. If you have a permanent back number, please include on your entry form. One back number per horse / rider combination. One exhibitor pass will be given with each entry form. One additional pass is available to purchase at $20.00. For more information, please read carefully through the 2026 Light Horse Division document (PDF).

Please remember, this is an Exhibition and not a horse show. ENSE makes every attempt to run on time with the schedule and be spectator friendly. If class numbers are high, the arena will be front loaded. Next entry will enter the show ring before the previous entry leaves. We ask all horses / ponies to be in the holding area before the class begins and on standby for your back number being called to the arena.

Space is limited on the grounds. Horse trailers may be parked off the grounds in a designated space. Camping space is limited on the grounds. A camping spot, electricity and water are not guaranteed. Consider it rough camping and bring a generator. All trailers are parked at the owner’s risk. Trucks must be unhooked from the trailer.

No vehicles will be permitted to be parked inside the gates of the exhibition grounds after 9am each day.

1. Entry fees are $5.00 per regular class. $15.00 per stake class with a $10.00 payback to the class. Entry fees will be charged for showmanship, equitation, horsemanship, costume, command, bareback dollar class, toilet paper pairs and egg & spoon but no prize money will be paid. Ribbons and prizes only in these classes. No entry fee for Lead line. Please note, mistakes on the entry form will not be refunded.
2. Added classes: The same competitor / horse combination already entered by show deadline can add additional classes for $10.00 a class. Stake classes are $30.00.
3. Stabling: $15.00 for any part of a 24-hour period.
4. Refunds: Before the closing date, a refund of 75% of the entry fee will be provided, less the administrative fee and stall fees. After the closing date, a written certificate of horse, pony, or rider disability from a veterinarian or doctor must be submitted to the show secretary at the time of cancellation. The entry fee will be refunded, less the stall and administrative fees.
   Cancellations for any other reason are not eligible for a refund.
5. Equine Welfare
   ENSE is committed to ensuring the humane treatment of all horses. Any conduct deemed cruel, abusive, or inhumane towards horses is prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the premises.
   All horses entered in ENSE must be in good condition and sound. Signs of unsoundness include nodding, hitching, shorter strides, reduced weight-bearing, or visible pain, disability, or deformity during movement. Should the show committee determine that a competitor’s riding poses a potential risk of injury to themselves or their horse, the competitor will be required to withdraw from further participation. The welfare of each horse remains the foremost priority during our exhibition. The show committee reserves the right to limit both the number of riders assigned to each horse or pony and the number of classes in which a horse or pony may participate. The show committee reserves the right to request that a horse retire from a specific class or the entire competition if continuation would not be in the best interest of the horse / pony. Retirement may be necessary due to heat exhaustion, limited physical or training capacity, movement or breathing issues, or other health concerns. In cases where a horse exhibits lameness during exhibition, the judge will instruct the exhibitor to leave the ring, and both rider and owner will forfeit entry to the class or show without refund of fees. Additionally, if a veterinarian determines that an animal is unwell, the animal will be required to leave the premises. Refunds will not be issued in such cases.

Participant Waivers

MBRA Ram Rodeo Barrels & Pole Bending Classes

For information regarding the Maritime Barrel Racing Association (MBRA) and their competitions this year, please visit their Facebook page.

Departure Times

• Thursday English Competitors: Thursday, September 3rd
• Wednesday Competitors: Friday, September 4th
• All competitorsmust leave within 2 hours of their last class.
• For those competing in weekend classes, the departure time is Sunday at 5 PM.