The ranch trail class should test the horse’s ability to cope with situations encountered in everyday riding. The horse is ridden through a pattern of obstacles which should nearly approximate those found during the course of everyday work. The horse/rider team is judged on the correctness, efficiency and pattern accuracy with which the obstacles are negotiated and the attitude and mannerisms exhibited by the horse. Judging emphasis is on identifying the well-broke,
responsive and well-mannered horse which can correctly navigate and negotiate the course.
PROHIBITED OBSTACLES: Tarps, water obstacles with slick bottoms, PVC pipe used as a jump or walk over, tires, rocking or moving bridges, logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits such to roll in a dangerous manner.
MANDATORY OBSTACLES AND/OR MANUEVERS.
- Ride over obstacles on the ground (usually logs or poles). Walk, trot or lope may be used but only one gait is required.
- Walk-overs: Walk over no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high and spacing between 26 – 30 inches. The formation may be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Trot-overs: Trot over no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high. The space between logs or poles should be 30-42 inches. The formation can also be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Lope-overs: Lope over no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high. The space between logs or poles should be 6 to 7 feet. The formation can also be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Gait opening, passing through and closing gate: Use gate that will not endanger horse or rider and requires minimum side-passing.
-Bridge Ride over wooden bridge: Bridge should be sturdy, safe and negotiated at a walk only. Heavy plywood lying flat on the ground is an acceptable simulation of a bridge. Suggested minimum width shall be 36 inches wide and at least 6 feet long.
- Backing obstacles: Backing obstacles are to be spaced at a minimum of 28 inches. If elevated, 30 inch spacing is required. Back through and around at least three makers. Back through L, V, U or straight or similarly shaped course which may be elevated no more than 24 inches.
- Side-pass obstacle: Any object which is safe and of any length may be used to demonstrate responsiveness of the horse to leg signals. Raised side pass obstacles should not exceed 12 inches.
- Rope drag A rope drag is not to be used in youth classes. Drag may be a complete figure eight and may begin in either direction.
OPTIONAL OBSTACLES.
Optional obstacles may be used provided the obstacles can be found in everyday ranch work. Optional obstacles from which selections can be made include, but are not limited to:
- A jump obstacle whose center height is not less than 14 inches high or more that 25
inches high. Holding the saddle horn is permissible for this obstacle.
- live or stuffed animals which would normally be encountered in an outdoor setting
may be used but not to be used in an attempt to spook a horse.
- Carry object from one part of the arena to another. – Stand to mount with mounting block
- remove and replace materials from a mailbox. – Lead at the trot
- Trot through cones spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart. - Ground tie
- Cross natural ditches or ride up embankments. - Walk through brush
- Swing rope or throw rope at a dummy steer head. - Pick up feet
- Step in and out of obstacle. - Open gate on foot
- Put on slicker or coat. - Walk through water obstacle
CREDITS AND PENALTIES.
All runs begin upon enter the pen and any infractions are subject to penalty at that time (such as two hands on the reins, using either hand to instill fear or praise, etc.). The rider has the option of eliminating any obstacle and taking a score of “0” for the missed obstacle, however this will result in being “off pattern” and the horse/rider team may not place above others who have completed the pattern correctly. A judge may ask a horse to pass on an obstacle after three refusals or at any time for safety concerns.
Credit is given to horse/rider teams who negotiate the obstacles correctly and efficiently. Horses should receive credit for showing attentiveness to obstacles and ability to negotiate through the course when the obstacles warrant it while willingly responding to rider’s cues on more difficult obstacles. Quality of movement and cadence should be considered part of the maneuver score for the obstacle.
SCORING.
Scoring will be on the basis of 0-infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Each obstacle will receive an obstacle score that should be added or subtracted from 70 and is subject to a penalty that should be subtracted. Each obstacle will be scored on the following basis, ranging from plus 1 1/2 to minus 1 1/2:
-1 1/2 extremely poor -1 very poor - ½ poor
0 correct + ½ good + 1 very good + 1 ½ excellent
Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points.
Penalties are assessed as follows:
½ Point Penalties:
* Spurring in front of cinch
* blatant disobedience;
* use of either hand to instill fear/praise
* use of two hands per maneuver
* more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins per maneuver
* knocking over, stepping out of or falling off an obstacle
* dropping an object required to be carried
* 1st or 2nd cumulative refusal
* letting go of gate.
Place below others who complete pattern correctly:
done). Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete pattern correctly.
Disqualification:
Lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, improper western attire.
responsive and well-mannered horse which can correctly navigate and negotiate the course.
PROHIBITED OBSTACLES: Tarps, water obstacles with slick bottoms, PVC pipe used as a jump or walk over, tires, rocking or moving bridges, logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits such to roll in a dangerous manner.
MANDATORY OBSTACLES AND/OR MANUEVERS.
- Ride over obstacles on the ground (usually logs or poles). Walk, trot or lope may be used but only one gait is required.
- Walk-overs: Walk over no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high and spacing between 26 – 30 inches. The formation may be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Trot-overs: Trot over no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high. The space between logs or poles should be 30-42 inches. The formation can also be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Lope-overs: Lope over no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high. The space between logs or poles should be 6 to 7 feet. The formation can also be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
- Gait opening, passing through and closing gate: Use gate that will not endanger horse or rider and requires minimum side-passing.
-Bridge Ride over wooden bridge: Bridge should be sturdy, safe and negotiated at a walk only. Heavy plywood lying flat on the ground is an acceptable simulation of a bridge. Suggested minimum width shall be 36 inches wide and at least 6 feet long.
- Backing obstacles: Backing obstacles are to be spaced at a minimum of 28 inches. If elevated, 30 inch spacing is required. Back through and around at least three makers. Back through L, V, U or straight or similarly shaped course which may be elevated no more than 24 inches.
- Side-pass obstacle: Any object which is safe and of any length may be used to demonstrate responsiveness of the horse to leg signals. Raised side pass obstacles should not exceed 12 inches.
- Rope drag A rope drag is not to be used in youth classes. Drag may be a complete figure eight and may begin in either direction.
OPTIONAL OBSTACLES.
Optional obstacles may be used provided the obstacles can be found in everyday ranch work. Optional obstacles from which selections can be made include, but are not limited to:
- A jump obstacle whose center height is not less than 14 inches high or more that 25
inches high. Holding the saddle horn is permissible for this obstacle.
- live or stuffed animals which would normally be encountered in an outdoor setting
may be used but not to be used in an attempt to spook a horse.
- Carry object from one part of the arena to another. – Stand to mount with mounting block
- remove and replace materials from a mailbox. – Lead at the trot
- Trot through cones spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart. - Ground tie
- Cross natural ditches or ride up embankments. - Walk through brush
- Swing rope or throw rope at a dummy steer head. - Pick up feet
- Step in and out of obstacle. - Open gate on foot
- Put on slicker or coat. - Walk through water obstacle
CREDITS AND PENALTIES.
All runs begin upon enter the pen and any infractions are subject to penalty at that time (such as two hands on the reins, using either hand to instill fear or praise, etc.). The rider has the option of eliminating any obstacle and taking a score of “0” for the missed obstacle, however this will result in being “off pattern” and the horse/rider team may not place above others who have completed the pattern correctly. A judge may ask a horse to pass on an obstacle after three refusals or at any time for safety concerns.
Credit is given to horse/rider teams who negotiate the obstacles correctly and efficiently. Horses should receive credit for showing attentiveness to obstacles and ability to negotiate through the course when the obstacles warrant it while willingly responding to rider’s cues on more difficult obstacles. Quality of movement and cadence should be considered part of the maneuver score for the obstacle.
SCORING.
Scoring will be on the basis of 0-infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Each obstacle will receive an obstacle score that should be added or subtracted from 70 and is subject to a penalty that should be subtracted. Each obstacle will be scored on the following basis, ranging from plus 1 1/2 to minus 1 1/2:
-1 1/2 extremely poor -1 very poor - ½ poor
0 correct + ½ good + 1 very good + 1 ½ excellent
Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points.
Penalties are assessed as follows:
½ Point Penalties:
- each tick of pole, cone, log or obstacle
- Each hit, bite or stepping on a log, cone plant or any component of the obstacle,
- incorrect or break of gait at walk or jog for two (2) strides or less
- both front or hind feet in a single-stride slot or space at a walk or jog
- skipping over or failing to step into required space
- split pole in lope-over
- incorrect number of strides, if specified
- One step on dismount or ground tie except shifting to balance.
- Wrong lead or out of lead
- draped reins
- break of gait at lope
- break of gait at walk or jog for more than two (2) strides
- two to three steps on dismount on ground tie.
* Spurring in front of cinch
* blatant disobedience;
* use of either hand to instill fear/praise
* use of two hands per maneuver
* more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins per maneuver
* knocking over, stepping out of or falling off an obstacle
* dropping an object required to be carried
* 1st or 2nd cumulative refusal
* letting go of gate.
Place below others who complete pattern correctly:
- Off-Pattern: Breaking pattern; leaving working area before pattern is complete; 3rd refusal;
done). Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete pattern correctly.
Disqualification:
Lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, improper western attire.