RANCH TRAIL
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.
The ranch trail class contains a course with a minimum of six obstacles and is designed to show a horse’s ability and willingness to perform several tasks that might be asked of him during the course of a normal day’s ranch work. Whenever possible, realistic or natural obstacles are encouraged. Also, the course is encouraged to be set outside of an arena using the natural terrain of the land whenever possible. The horse will be judged on three gaits - walk, trot and lope - performed between six obstacles to be determined when the judge chooses the pattern. A horse will be rewarded with higher credit for performing these gaits on the correct lead and with an alert attitude.
It is mandatory that the horse be asked to walk, trot and lope during the course. Walk can
be part of obstacle score or be scored with the approaching obstacle. Trot must be at least 35 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Lope must be lead-specific, at least 50 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Care must be exercised to avoid setting up any obstacles that may be hazardous to the horse or rider.
PROHIB ITED 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
- Walk-overs: walk over no more than five logs or poles no more then 12 inches high
spacing between 26 – 30 inches. The formation may be straight, curved, zigzagged or raised.
* Opening, passing through and closing gate. The rein hand may be changed to work the gate without penalty if the change is made prior to and after the gate has been worked.
* 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.
Back through L, V, U or straight or similarly shaped course which may be elevated no more than 24 inches.
• SHW557.1 Horses to be shown at a ground-covering walk, working trot and lope. The horse should perform with a reasonably loose rein that maintains contact with the horse. A distance of at least 30 feet or more is mandatory between obstacles to evaluate the horse’s way of going at each gait.
• SHW557.2 Six or more obstacles may be used. Of the number used, three are mandatory and ten are optional. Combinations of two or more obstacles are permissible. If three combinations of two obstacles are used, there must be sufficient distance between one of the combinations to allow the horse to perform two gaits. All obstacles must meet the approval of the judge.
• SHW557.6 It is permissible to change rein hand to work an obstacle.
• SHW557.7 An exhibitor who does not perform an obstacle or performs an obstacle incorrectly is assessed a 10 point penalty and cannot place over another exhibitor that performs the course correctly.
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:
* Carry object from one part of the arena to another.
* Remove and replace materials from a mailbox.
* Trot through cones spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart.
* Cross natural ditches or ride up embankments.
* Swing rope or throw rope at a dummy steer head.
* Step in and out of obstacle.
* Put on slicker or coat.
* Stand to mount with mounting block.
* Walk through water obstacle.
* Open gate on foot.
* Pick up feet.
* Walk through brush.
* Ground tie.
* Lead at the trot.
The competition trail course is not to be made available to exhibitors or posted prior to the day of competition. It must be posted at least one hour prior to competition. Printed handouts for exhibitors are helpful and encouraged. The exhibitor may walk the course on foot or be observed from the outside of the course on horseback but no horse/rider team is allowed on the actual course after it has be set until the horse/rider run begins.
CREDITS AND PENALTIES
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.
Penalties are assessed as follows:
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Off-Pattern
- Breaking pattern
- Leaving working area before pattern is complete
- 3rd refusal
- Repeated blatant disobedience
- fall of horse/rider (run ends and credit will be given for work done). Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete pattern correctly.
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.
The ranch trail class contains a course with a minimum of six obstacles and is designed to show a horse’s ability and willingness to perform several tasks that might be asked of him during the course of a normal day’s ranch work. Whenever possible, realistic or natural obstacles are encouraged. Also, the course is encouraged to be set outside of an arena using the natural terrain of the land whenever possible. The horse will be judged on three gaits - walk, trot and lope - performed between six obstacles to be determined when the judge chooses the pattern. A horse will be rewarded with higher credit for performing these gaits on the correct lead and with an alert attitude.
It is mandatory that the horse be asked to walk, trot and lope during the course. Walk can
be part of obstacle score or be scored with the approaching obstacle. Trot must be at least 35 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Lope must be lead-specific, at least 50 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Care must be exercised to avoid setting up any obstacles that may be hazardous to the horse or rider.
PROHIB ITED 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
- Walk-overs: walk over no more than five logs or poles no more then 12 inches high
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
- Lope-overs: Lope over no more than five logs or poles no more than 10 inches high. The
* Opening, passing through and closing gate. The rein hand may be changed to work the gate without penalty if the change is made prior to and after the gate has been worked.
* 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,
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
- Log drag - Horse must be willing to drag a log for a short distance, either in a straight line or around a set pattern. Rope should be dallied around the saddle horn and not tied hard and fast. A five-point penalty will be assessed for first refusal, balk or attempting to evade an obstacle by shying or backing more than two strides away. An additional five-point penalty will be assessed for second refusal, balk or attempting to evade an obstacle by shying or backing more than two strides away.
- The horse shall remain quiet while the rider dismounts. No penalty will be assessed for horse shifting to balance. A one point penalty for one step, a three point penalty for two to three steps and a five point penalty for four or more steps will be assessed. The horse should remain still and quiet as the rider remounts, leaving a loose rein. Exhibitors have the option of using a mounting block to remount. Once the rider is settled into the saddle and is still, he or she may then move the horse forward.
• SHW557.1 Horses to be shown at a ground-covering walk, working trot and lope. The horse should perform with a reasonably loose rein that maintains contact with the horse. A distance of at least 30 feet or more is mandatory between obstacles to evaluate the horse’s way of going at each gait.
• SHW557.2 Six or more obstacles may be used. Of the number used, three are mandatory and ten are optional. Combinations of two or more obstacles are permissible. If three combinations of two obstacles are used, there must be sufficient distance between one of the combinations to allow the horse to perform two gaits. All obstacles must meet the approval of the judge.
• SHW557.6 It is permissible to change rein hand to work an obstacle.
• SHW557.7 An exhibitor who does not perform an obstacle or performs an obstacle incorrectly is assessed a 10 point penalty and cannot place over another exhibitor that performs the course correctly.
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
- Only live or stuffed animals which would normally be encountered in an outdoor setting
* Carry object from one part of the arena to another.
* Remove and replace materials from a mailbox.
* Trot through cones spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart.
* Cross natural ditches or ride up embankments.
* Swing rope or throw rope at a dummy steer head.
* Step in and out of obstacle.
* Put on slicker or coat.
* Stand to mount with mounting block.
* Walk through water obstacle.
* Open gate on foot.
* Pick up feet.
* Walk through brush.
* Ground tie.
* Lead at the trot.
The competition trail course is not to be made available to exhibitors or posted prior to the day of competition. It must be posted at least one hour prior to competition. Printed handouts for exhibitors are helpful and encouraged. The exhibitor may walk the course on foot or be observed from the outside of the course on horseback but no horse/rider team is allowed on the actual course after it has be set until the horse/rider run begins.
CREDITS AND PENALTIES
- All runs begin upon enter the pen and any infractions
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
Penalties are assessed as follows:
- 1 Point Penalties:
- 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
- 3 Point Penalties:
- 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
- 5 Point Penalties:
- 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.
- Off-Pattern
- Breaking pattern
- Leaving working area before pattern is complete
- 3rd refusal
- Repeated blatant disobedience
- fall of horse/rider (run ends and credit will be given for work done). Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete pattern correctly.
- Disqualification: Lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, improper