Is YardForge really free to use?

Yes. The Free plan includes the full 2D showjumping course designer, stride calculator, and FEI/BS validation for up to 8 courses, no credit card required. PDF export and 3D viewer unlock on Pro; feature gating matters more than course count.

How does the stride calculator work?

YardForge measures the straight-line distance between each pair of jumps and divides it by your horse's configured stride length. It accounts for approach and landing lengths and flags combinations outside the ideal range for your selected competition standard.

Does it validate FEI and British Showjumping rules?

Yes. Switch the Competition Standard to FEI or BS and YardForge checks distances, combination spacings, jump heights and spreads against published tables. Errors and warnings appear in real time as you design.

Can I use YardForge on mobile or tablet?

The 2D designer and 3D viewer work on any modern browser. The AR walk-through works on most Android phones. On iPhone or iPad, place courses in AR using the built-in AR Quick Look.

Can I share courses with my team or clients?

Courses can be shared via a public link which opens a read-only 3D viewer, no account needed for the recipient. School & Venue plans add full yard-wide team sharing.

Can I export courses to PDF or print?

Yes. Pro and School & Venue plans include one-click PDF export with the course diagram, jump list, stride table, and competition info on a single page.

What happens to my courses if I downgrade?

Your courses are never deleted. If you exceed the Free plan's 8-course limit after downgrading, existing courses are locked to read-only until you delete some or re-upgrade.

Does YardForge work offline?

The 2D designer, stride calculator and 3D viewer work offline once loaded, your browser caches the app. Course saves sync to the cloud when your connection returns.

Online Horse Show Entries for UK Organisers: Fewer Emails, Clearer Start Lists

Published 12 July 2026

Planning show classes and course designs for a UK horse show

Online horse show entries are table stakes for UK organisers in 2026. Riders expect to enter on their phone; secretaries expect start lists that do not live in twelve email threads; course designers need a stable class list before they finalise the track. This guide is a practical checklist for club shows, unaffiliated days and multi-class venues — not a full FEI organising manual.

Why entries are a 2026 pressure point

Organisers are squeezed by:

Rider expectations set by every other consumer app
Volunteer time shortages
Mixed classes (horses, ponies, clear-round, jump-off) on one day
Last-minute withdrawals that break paper start lists

Industry cost and labour pressure hit shows the same way they hit livery yards: unpaid admin hours are the first thing to break.

What “good” online entries look like

Before the show

One entry link in the schedule, not three different forms
Clear closing dates and refund rules
Class list that matches what the course designer is building
Space for horse and rider details you actually need (not a novel)
Optional notes for special requests without turning into free-text chaos

After entries close

Exportable start lists by class
Easy withdrawals with a timestamp
Same data feeding results so you are not retyping names

Pair entries with course design

A modern show day fails when the secretary and the course designer use different class names:

Freeze the schedule.
Design each class track in the course designer with the correct standard (BS / FEI validation).
Number fences once (numbering guide).
Issue builder and athlete plans from the same file.
Walk the track after build (how to walk a course).

Welfare-minded design still applies on club days — course design and horse welfare.

Day-of operations checklist

[ ] Printed and digital start lists for collecting ring stewards
[ ] Clear warm-up rules (especially in heat — heat stress)
[ ] Biosecurity note for gatherings — biosecurity checklist
[ ] Results workflow decided before the first class
[ ] One person owns “schedule changes” so the PA is not inventing policy

Common spreadsheet failure modes

| Failure | Consequence | Fix | |---------|-------------|-----| | Entries only in email | Missed riders | Single online form | | Start list retyped for results | Spelling chaos | One data source | | Course plan not shared | Build errors | Shared designer export | | No withdrawal log | Order of go fights | Timestamped changes |

How YardForge helps organisers

YardForge’s show organiser product surface is aimed at UK events: entries, start lists and results without bolting five consumer tools together. Riders and designers can still use the free course designer for tracks. Event pricing is on pricing (including events product options).

Explore the public page: run a show with YardForge.

Bottom line

Online entries are not a luxury feature — they are how you protect volunteer time and give riders a professional day. Pair clean entries with a validated course plan and a short welfare/heat/biosecurity note, and your show feels modern without needing a championship budget.