How to Adopt from Heart of Phoenix during the Appalachian Trainer Face Off

ATFO Adoption Details The Event: A three-day competition in Winfield, WV from August 20–22, 2026. The Horses: Nearly 50 horses receive 100 days of professional training leading up to the event. Health Status: All horses are current on dental work, farrier care, vaccines, deworming, and Coggins. 👤 Rider Experience Requirements Most of these horses are "green" and are not suitable for inexperienced owners. You should be a solid intermediate rider, or a beginner working closely with a professional trainer to adopt. Adopters should plan for continued training. Many event trainers offer a discount for post-event training. 📝 Bidding & Approval Process Pre-Screening: You must take a quick, online self-screening quiz before applying. Application Deadline: You must apply and be approved by August 10th to bid. Being approved does not require you to bid; it simply gives you the option to bid IF a horse is a fit. Required Test Ride: You will need to ride the horse and get approval from Heart of Phoenix (HOP) before you can place a bid. Bidding Remotely: You can bid over the phone via an assigned proxy handler if you cannot attend in person and have already met the horse. 🔨 Auction Adoptions Competition Horses: These horses can only be adopted through the live auction at the end of the event. Showcase Horses: These horses can be adopted before the event if their trainer feels they are fully ready, and these have a set fee. 💰 Fees, Rules & Additional Information Bids are Binding: If you bid, you must intend to complete the adoption and pay the fee. Refund Policy: Full Adoption fees are non-refundable. Return Policy: If you can no longer keep the horse, you must return the horse to Heart of Phoenix. Base Fee Return: If you return the horse, you can request a flat refund at a maximum of $800. Any money you paid above this amount is non-refundable and becomes a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit. 50 percent goes to the trainer. Transport: Many trainers will transport the horse to you for an extra fee. Speak with them ahead of time. 🔒 Post-Adoption Process Horses adopted under a legal adoption agreement that remains in place between the adopter and HOP. This process differes from a sale. It remains in place, unless the horse returns to HOP. Identification: All horses are branded and microchipped to HOP. You can show, trail ride, and love your adopted horse, but breeding/transfer or sells are not allowed at any time for the life of the horse.  Platinum Division horses were already undersaddle at the start of the event. Diamond Division Horses were unstarted, sometimes unhandled prior to the start of the event. Opening bids are $1,800.00. Showcase fees are set by trainers.  The average 2025 fee was around $3,800.  The value of training for these horses alone is over $3,500 per horse up to $15,000. wvhorserescue.org www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com