Competitions

Merkel Farm participates in the Freestate Riding Club schooling competitions. Competitions are the third Saturday of every month from March through October at the Freestate Riding Club in Bowie, MD. The primary goal of this monthly competition is schooling of the rider so they understand how a competition works, and can improve in their skills with input from the judges and instructor.

Riders compete individually in as many monthly competitions as they want during the series. Points are accumulated for each competition, and the riding club holds an awards banquet at the end of the season. Merkel Farm students can use our horses for the competition which are transported via trailer to Freestate. There is a Merkel Farm instructor schooling fee, and Freestate Riding Club has a fee per class the rider competes in. Freestate competitions are instructional, and although it is an individual competition, it is a laid back, fun environment, and the Merkel Farm riders support each other and build good friendships.

For more information on Freestate Riding Club and their competition series, see their website:

http://www.freestateridingclub.org/