The Pine Top Advanced Horse Trials 2026 is one of the early-season events that riders circle on their calendars when planning their competition schedule. Throughout this article, I will refer to the event simply as Pine Top Advanced, but this includes all divisions offered during the February 20–22, 2026 competition at Pine Top Farm in Thomson, Georgia.
When riders enter Pine Top Advanced, they are not just entering another horse trial. They are entering a USEA-recognized, USEF-licensed competition designed to test precision in dressage, boldness and control in show jumping, and fitness and bravery across one of the Southeast’s most respected cross-country tracks. Think of Pine Top Advanced as an early-season proving ground. It rewards preparation, punishes shortcuts, and sets the tone for the spring campaign.
Why Pine Top Advanced Is a Key Early-Season Event
The Pine Top Advanced Horse Trials, held at Pine Top Farm in Thomson, Georgia, has long been considered a foundational competition in USEA Area III. Scheduled for February 20–22, 2026, it offers riders an opportunity to test their winter training against real competition in a professional environment.
Early-season events often present unique challenges. Horses are coming back into peak fitness. Riders are fine-tuning technical details. Weather conditions can vary. Pine Top Advanced addresses these realities with courses that are recalibrated for the early season, offering average efforts and sensible distances while still maintaining competitive integrity.
This balance is important. It allows combinations to build confidence while still being tested at the Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified, Training, and Novice levels. For many riders, Pine Top Advanced serves as a stepping stone toward spring FEI competitions and championship goals.
Location and Venue: Pine Top Farm in Thomson, Georgia
Pine Top Farm is located at 1432 Augusta Highway, Thomson, Georgia, just east of town on US 78/278. The venue spans approximately 200 acres of rolling pastureland with sections of woods and established turf.
When you compete at Pine Top Advanced, you are riding on sand-based turf footing with no clay and no stones. That detail matters. Good footing not only improves performance but also reduces strain and risk. The cross-country courses have been opened up in recent years through the removal of pasture fencing, allowing designers to create more flowing tracks that use the terrain creatively.
Show jumping is held on grass, adding another dimension to preparation. Dressage arenas use a sand-screenings mix, with grass warm-up areas. This combination of surfaces tests adaptability without compromising safety.
Divisions Offered at Pine Top Advanced 2026
Pine Top Advanced offers divisions that include Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified, Training, and Novice, with additional junior and rider categories where applicable.
Advanced competitors may choose between Advanced Test A or Test B for dressage, with Test A serving as the default if no preference is specified. This flexibility allows riders to tailor their competition strategy.
Each level is carefully structured in accordance with USEF and USEA regulations. Riders must ensure their memberships, horse registrations, and documentation are current. Pine Top Advanced enforces these requirements strictly, which helps maintain a professional standard across all divisions.
Entry Process and Payment: Why Preparation Matters
Entering Pine Top Advanced is straightforward, but it is not casual. All entries must be submitted through EventEntries, and payment must be made in advance. No rider is scheduled without payment. Showing up and attempting to pay onsite is not permitted.
This strict approach prevents administrative delays and ensures the schedule runs smoothly. It also reflects the high demand for this event. Pine Top Advanced frequently fills early, particularly for stabling and RV hookups.
Entries open January 6, 2026, and close February 3, 2026. Late fees apply after closing, with escalating penalties if payment is delayed beyond February 16. Refunds after the closing date are only possible if a replacement from the waitlist fills your spot.
The lesson here is simple. Enter early. Pay early. Confirm your division and status immediately. Small oversights can become expensive mistakes.
Dressage at Pine Top Advanced
Dressage sets the tone for the weekend. At Pine Top Advanced, 2026 USEF and USEA tests are used depending on level, with Advanced offering Test A or B.
Because this is an early-season event, judges often reward accuracy, rhythm, and harmony over flashiness. Riders who focus on fundamentals tend to score consistently. The sand-screenings footing provides reliable traction, while grass warm-up areas encourage proper preparation.
Think of dressage at Pine Top Advanced as your foundation phase. A solid test builds momentum. A sloppy one creates pressure for the jumping phases.
Show Jumping on Grass: Technical but Fair
Show jumping at Pine Top Advanced is held on grass, which immediately changes the equation compared to synthetic arenas. Horses must be balanced, adjustable, and attentive.
The course designer builds tracks that test straightness, adjustability, and carefulness. Rails on grass can fall more easily if the rhythm is not consistent. Riders who maintain impulsion without rushing typically find success.
Because this phase often occurs on Friday for upper levels and Saturday for lower levels, footing conditions can vary. Preparing your horse for grass jumping at home is a wise strategy.
Cross-Country at Pine Top Advanced: Flowing and Galloping
The cross-country course is the highlight of Pine Top Advanced. Advanced competitors cover approximately 3400 meters at 570 meters per minute, while lower levels have adjusted distances and speeds appropriate to their divisions.
The terrain consists of rolling pastures with wooded sections, creating a visually inviting yet technically demanding track. With pasture fences removed, the course flows more naturally across the land.
For early-season competition, the courses are calibrated thoughtfully. Efforts and distances are designed to encourage confidence while still requiring accuracy and fitness. Riders must respect the time but avoid chasing it recklessly.
The key to success at Pine Top Advanced cross-country is preparation. Fitness must be established before arrival. Lines must be ridden positively. Hesitation often leads to penalties.
Stabling, Facilities, and Logistics
Stabling at Pine Top Advanced is limited and typically books early. Permanent stalls measure 12×12 or 12×10, most are matted, and stall doors are provided. Bedding must be shavings only; straw is not permitted.
Stall deposits are required and must be submitted separately. All stalls must be stripped clean upon departure. Failure to do so results in cleaning charges.
RV hookups are limited and prioritized for reservations of two nights or more. Riders are encouraged to reserve and pay early. Non-stabled horses must pay a grounds fee.
These policies are strict, but they maintain order and fairness. When everyone follows the same rules, the event runs efficiently.
Rules, Safety, and Compliance
Pine Top Advanced operates under USEF and USEA rules. Protective headgear is mandatory where required. SafeSport compliance is mandatory for eligible participants. Current Coggins documentation is required within 12 months.
Dogs must be leashed. Smoking is prohibited. Non-competing horses are not allowed in warm-up areas during competition and must wear bridle numbers when out of stalls.
These regulations are not obstacles. They are safeguards. They protect riders, horses, and the event’s long-standing reputation.
Strategic Preparation for Pine Top Advanced 2026
Preparing for Pine Top Advanced requires more than fitness work. Riders should review division requirements, confirm memberships, and double-check entry status well before the closing date.
Conditioning programs should emphasize cardiovascular fitness for cross-country while maintaining elasticity for dressage. Schooling on grass, especially for show jumping, is beneficial.
Mentally, approach Pine Top Advanced as a performance benchmark rather than a final goal. Use it to evaluate your training progress and identify areas for refinement before spring championships.
Why Pine Top Advanced Continues to Attract Top Riders
Consistency. Professionalism. Quality footing. Thoughtful course design. Pine Top Advanced delivers these year after year.
It is early enough in the calendar to serve as preparation, yet prestigious enough to matter. Riders value the balance between challenge and fairness.
For spectators, it offers a chance to see top combinations debut their season. For competitors, it offers a structured environment that rewards discipline.
Pine Top Advanced is not just another February horse trial. It is a structured, high-demand, professionally managed event that sets the tone for the competitive year.
If you enter prepared — paperwork complete, horse fit, strategy clear — the experience can be productive and confidence-building. If you underestimate the organization or the courses, small mistakes can escalate quickly.
The difference between frustration and success at Pine Top Advanced is preparation. And that is entirely within your control.
