NEW at the Kingston Fall Fair— PRECISION RIDING & DRILL TEAM COMPETITION! 

If the magic of a reining or dressage freestyle speaks to you; if you’ve watched a high-energy drill team at a rodeo and wished you could join; or if you wished Dancing With The Stars could meet the Musical Ride, this is your chance!

Gather your crew and your favourite tune—it’s time to showcase your skill, style, and showmanship. Join us by crafting a choreographed routine on horseback, themed and styled around your favourite movie, song, or genre. From perfectly timed patterns to crowd-pleasing choreography, this is your moment to shine under the arena lights!

Perfect for riding clubs, barn teams, friends, and seasoned performers alike, our competition is suitable for those of any age. Those new to drill team performances are encouraged to try as well. Show off your teamwork and entertain the crowd!

Divisions

• Pairs: 2 riders per team

• Quads: 4 riders per team

• Large Teams: 6-12 riders per team

Judging Scheme 

A panel of three judges will be assembled in order to score each performance on three components based on their area of expertise:

• Horsemanship: Control, precision, and equine partnership

• Artistic Impression: Creativity, music, costume, and theme

• Overall Performance: Timing, teamwork, and crowd appeal

Each judge will award each performance with a score out of 10 possible points. Each individual judge’s score will be added together to create a cumulative score out of 30 points for each performance. The team who receives the highest cumulative judging points will be crowned as the winner of their respective division.

Performance Rules

• Routines must be under 3 minutes and 30 seconds in length.

• Costumes must be provided by competitors.

• Music must be provided by competitors.

  • Both full songs or original cuts under the allotted time are permitted.

  • Must be provided via a YouTube link.

• Limited props permitted. 

  • Ensure props fall within proper safety guidelines. 

  • If you are questioning the safety of your prop, please reach out to Nicole.

• A warm-up period will be provided before each division begins.

• Riders may enter each division only once.

• The same horse may be used across multiple divisions.

• Maximum of 20 team entries across all divisions 

Cost

• There is a $5.00 entry fee for each team member.

• Team members under the age of 18 (as of January 1st, 2026) have a free youth membership

  • Total cost for youth team members is $5.00 per person.

• Team members over the age of 18 (as of January 1st, 2026) must pay an additional $5.00 membership fee to Kingston District Agricultural Society.

  • Total cost for adult team members is $10.00 per person.

• If competing on multiple teams:

  • A $5.00 entry fee is required for each team a rider will be competing on

  • For adult team members, the $5.00 membership fee is only expected to be paid once. 

Prize Money

Pairs Division

1st $100 | 2nd $50 | 3rd $20 plus ribbons to 5th place

Quad Division

1st $100 | 2nd $50 | 3rd $20 plus ribbons to 5th place

Large Teams

Champion $280| Reserve $180 plus ribbons to 5th place

Schedule

• Team entries for all divisions are due by Sunday, September 13th, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

  • A team entry will NOT be considered valid unless the following information is received by Nicole for ALL team members:

    • Completed entry form

    • Proof of insurance

    • Signed liability waiver

    • Completed membership form

    • Payment in full by e-transfer to nikkidennee@hotmail.com

    • Music submission via YouTube link

• Thursday September 17th, 2026 at 5:00PM: The Precision Riding and Drill Team Performance Competition

• Friday September 18th, 2026 at 10:00AM: The Precision Riding and Drill Team Showcase

  • Education Day showcase featuring some of the previous night’s competitors

  • Some routines will be performed again in full

  • Possibility for a clinic style showcase explaining the many elements of a successful drill team performance 

PRECISION RIDING & DRILL TEAM COMPETITION RULES

1 All competitors are expected to compete within their capabilities.

2. Any breed of horse or pony is permitted. No stallions may be ridden by anyone under the age of 18.

3. Western or English tack is acceptable. Proper riding attire is required, suited to the tack used. Tie downs and martingales are NOT permitted.

4. All contestants under the age of 18 MUST wear an approved riding helmet. It is STRONGLY recommended that ALL riders wear a helmet.

5. Horses are permitted to wear protective leg gear.

6. Order of go will be drawn when competitors check in.

11. The decision of the official/judge is FINAL.

12. There will be an official timer and back up timer. The time limit for each entry is 3 minutes, 30 seconds.

13. In the event of a tie between the top placings at the end of the class the awards will be split.

14. Excessive pressure or abuse of any horse will not be tolerated, and the team will be removed from the competition with no refunds.

15. Any pony or horse determined to be lame at the time of the competition will be disqualified.