The Ram Tap Horse Trials 2026 is one of the premier early-season competitions on the West Coast eventing calendar. Throughout this article, I will refer to the competition simply as “Ram Tap H.T.,” but it is officially known as the Ram Tap Horse Trials, a USEA-recognized event held annually in Fresno, California. Whether you are competing at Advanced or stepping into your first Intro division, this February horse trials event sets the tone for the entire 2026 show season.
When riders talk about starting their year strong, they often mean choosing a competition that offers excellent footing, professional organization, fair courses, and a welcoming environment. Ram Tap H.T. delivers exactly that. It is efficient, well-managed, and thoughtfully designed for horses and riders at multiple levels. However, because it runs at a high standard and fills quickly, many competitors misunderstand deadlines, fees, or qualification requirements. That can lead to frustration, late penalties, or missed opportunities.
Event Overview: Ram Tap Horse Trials Fresno 2026
The Ram Tap Horse Trials will take place February 13–15, 2026, at Ram Tap Horse Park in Fresno, California. The venue is located at 7430 N. Weber Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722, within USEA Area VI. The event carries USEA Event ID 18930 and is both USEF endorsed and USEA recognized at multiple levels.
Entries opened on December 30 and close on January 27. Post entries are accepted through February 6 with a late fee structure in place. Starting times will be published on February 9 through StartBox Scoring.
Ram Tap H.T. is limited to 266 stalls onsite, and priority is given strictly in order of complete entries received. That means payment must be submitted for your entry to be considered complete. Many competitors miss this detail and assume submitting the entry form is enough. It is not. Payment secures your place.
Divisions Offered at Ram Tap Horse Trials 2026
One of the defining features of the Ram Tap Horse Trials is its wide range of divisions. This Fresno horse trials event accommodates riders from grassroots levels all the way to Advanced.
USEF Endorsed and USEA Recognized divisions include Training, Training Rider, Novice, Novice Rider, Beginner Novice, and Beginner Novice Rider. The event also offers USEF and USEA Recognized Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, Preliminary Rider, Modified, and Modified Rider levels.
Additionally, USEA Recognized Intro and Grasshopper divisions are offered, making the event accessible for young horses and riders gaining experience. Schooling Tests are also available at select levels, though these entries are capped separately.
This range makes Ram Tap H.T. ideal for barns bringing multiple horses at different stages of development. It also allows riders to move up a level early in the season while still competing in a well-supported environment.
Tentative Schedule: How the Weekend Flows
Understanding the schedule helps you plan strategically. The cross-country course opens Thursday at 3:00 PM for walking. Dressage begins Friday morning at 8:00 AM. Friday evening features a Classic 3-Day Panel Discussion and Happy Hour, which is particularly important for riders aiming to qualify for the November Classic 3-Day Series.
Saturday typically hosts cross-country for the upper levels and show jumping for the lower levels. Sunday flips the schedule, with upper-level show jumping and lower-level cross-country.
This structure allows divisions to flow efficiently and reduces congestion on course. However, Ram Tap Horse Trials reserves the right to adjust the schedule based on entries, weather, or safety considerations.
Entry Fees and Late Fee Structure
Entry fees vary by level. Advanced, Intermediate, and Preliminary are priced at $364. Modified runs at $339. Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice divisions are $314. Intro and Grasshopper divisions are $164. Schooling Tests for Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice are $214.
The late fee structure is clearly defined. Entries submitted between January 28 and February 7 incur a $50 late fee. Entries between February 8 and February 12 incur a $100 late fee. Changes after the closing date carry a $40 change fee, and incomplete entries incur a $15 administrative fee.
Refund policies are equally structured. Full refunds are available before January 20. After that date and before closing, refunds are less a $25 office fee. After the closing date, no refunds are issued unless your spot can be filled from the waitlist.
Understanding this system prevents unnecessary expenses and ensures smooth processing.
Dressage Tests and Arena Conditions
Ram Tap Horse Trials 2026 uses the 2026 USEF and USEA test structures. Advanced rides the USEF Advanced Test A in a standard arena. Intermediate rides USEF Intermediate Test A. Preliminary rides USEF Preliminary Test A in a small arena. Modified, Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice use the respective 2026 USEA Test A versions. Intro competes in the 2026 USEA Starter Test A, while Grasshopper rides the 2023 USDF Intro Test B.
All arenas and warm-up areas are sand footing. Riders familiar with California winter conditions will appreciate that Ram Tap consistently maintains quality footing even during unpredictable February weather.
Cross-Country Course Design and Technical Details
The cross-country course at Ram Tap Horse Park is known for its excellent footing and fair, educational design. Advanced and Intermediate distances range from approximately 2600 to 3575 meters at 550 meters per minute. Preliminary ranges between 2200 and 3120 meters at 520 mpm. Modified covers 2200 to 3000 meters at 490 mpm. Training runs 2000 to 2600 meters at 420–470 mpm. Novice and Beginner Novice adjust accordingly, with heights topping at 2’7” for Beginner Novice.
Intro fences range from 20 to 24 inches with a water option. Grasshopper height is 18 inches.
Courses are described as average difficulty for horses with some experience at the level. This makes Ram Tap H.T. an ideal early-season confidence builder while still offering appropriate technical questions.
The course officially closes February 2 at dusk.
Stabling, Grounds, and Onsite Logistics
Ram Tap provides 266 temporary stalls onsite. One bag of shavings is included with each stall, and additional shavings are available for purchase. Tack stalls are available at $250.
Haul-in and grounds fees apply for non-stabled or non-competing horses, each set at $100. Cross-country schooling is allowed Sunday after competition, and importantly, competition flags and flowers remain on course for schooling.
Ample parking allows space for tailgating and barn setups. Food is available onsite throughout the weekend.
Awards, Team Competition, and Area VI Celebration
Ram Tap Horse Trials awards ribbons from first through seventh place, with prizes for the top three finishers in each division. Saturday evening features the Area VI Awards Banquet, making this event both competitive and celebratory.
Team competition is offered for teams of three or four riders at the same level, with the best three scores counting. This encourages barn camaraderie and friendly rivalry.
Safety, Membership, and Compliance Requirements
USEA membership and horse registration are required for all levels except Intro and Grasshopper. Modified and above must submit USEF cards for rider, owner, and trainer.
All participants must comply with U.S. Center for SafeSport requirements and USEF Safe Sport policies. Protective headgear is mandatory whenever mounted. Negative Coggins within 12 months is required for out-of-state horses.
Dogs must remain on leash during competition hours, in barns, and at warm-up areas. A $100 donation to Friends of West Coast Eventing is required for loose dogs.
Why Ram Tap Horse Trials Is a Key 2026 Season Opener
The Ram Tap Horse Trials 2026 is more than a February competition. It is a strategic season opener. It provides qualification opportunities, technical but fair courses, and a professional competitive atmosphere that mirrors larger championships.
Riders use this Fresno horse trials event to test fitness, confirm winter training progress, and set benchmarks for spring goals. The structured schedule, clear fee system, and high organizational standards reduce stress and allow competitors to focus on performance.
When an event combines professional management, strong officiating, excellent footing, broad division offerings, and community celebration, it becomes a cornerstone of the regional calendar. Ram Tap H.T. consistently fulfills that role.
Final Thoughts on Ram Tap Horse Trials 2026
Competing at Ram Tap Horse Trials 2026 means stepping into a professionally run, well-respected, and strategically valuable early-season event. From Advanced to Grasshopper, every division benefits from thoughtful course design, organized scheduling, and strong Area VI support.
Understanding the entry deadlines, fee structure, division options, and compliance requirements eliminates confusion. Once you see how the event is structured, preparation becomes straightforward. What might initially seem complex becomes simple and manageable.
If you are planning your 2026 eventing season in California, Ram Tap Horse Trials deserves a place at the top of your calendar.
