TRAIL HORSE
AQHA - EQ - HCBC Rules
This class will be judged on the
performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response
to the rider and quality of movement. Credit will be given to horses
negotiating the obstacles with style and some degree of speed, providing
correctness is not sacrificed. Horses should receive credit for showing
attentiveness to the obstacles and the capability of picking their
own way through the course when obstacles warrant it, and willingly
responding to the rider’s cues on more difficult obstacles. Horses shall be
penalized
for any unnecessary delay while approaching or negotiating the obstacles. Horses with artificial appearance over obstacles should be penalized. Horses must not be required to work on the rail. The course must be designed, however, to require each horse to show the three gaits (walk, jog, lope) somewhere between obstacles as a part of its work, and quality of movement and cadence should be considered as part of the maneuver score. While on the line of travel between obstacles, the horse shall be balanced, carrying his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position, with the poll level with or slightly above the withers. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance.
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
-1/2 poor
0 correct
+1/2 good
+1 very good
+1 1/2 excellent.
Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points.
Penalties should be assessed, per occurrence, as follows:
1/2 point penalty:
for any unnecessary delay while approaching or negotiating the obstacles. Horses with artificial appearance over obstacles should be penalized. Horses must not be required to work on the rail. The course must be designed, however, to require each horse to show the three gaits (walk, jog, lope) somewhere between obstacles as a part of its work, and quality of movement and cadence should be considered as part of the maneuver score. While on the line of travel between obstacles, the horse shall be balanced, carrying his head and neck in a relaxed, natural position, with the poll level with or slightly above the withers. The head should not be carried behind the vertical, giving the appearance of intimidation, or be excessively nosed out, giving a resistant appearance.
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
-1/2 poor
0 correct
+1/2 good
+1 very good
+1 1/2 excellent.
Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points.
Penalties should be assessed, per occurrence, as follows:
1/2 point penalty:
- each
tick or contact of a log, pole, cone, plant, or any component of an obstacle
1 point penalty: - 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 strides or less
- both
front or hind feet in a single-strided 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
3 point penalty: - incorrect
or break of gait at walk or jog for more than two strides
- out
of lead or break of gait at lope (except when correcting an incorrect lead)
- knocking
down an elevated pole, cone, barrel, plant, obstacle, or severely disturbing an
obstacle
- falling
or jumping off or out of a bridge or a water box with one foot once the horse
has
got onto or into that obstacle - stepping
outside of the confines of an obstacle with designated boundaries (i.e. back
through,
360 degree box, side pass) with one foot once the horse has entered the obstacle. - missing
or evading a pole that is a part of a series of an obstacle with one foot
5 point penalty: - dropping
slicker or object required to be carried on course
- first
or second cumulative refusal, balk, or evading an obstacle by shying or backing
- letting
go of gate or dropping rope gate
- use
of either hand to instill fear or praise
- falling
or jumping off or out of a bridge or a water box with more than one foot once
the
horse has got onto or into that obstacle - stepping
outside of the confines of an obstacle with designated boundaries (i.e. back
through,
360 degree box, side pass) with more than one foot once the horse has entered the obstacle. - missing
or evading a pole that is a part of a series of an obstacle with more than one
foot
- blatant
disobedience (including kicking out, bucking, rearing, striking)
- holding
saddle with either hand
Disqualified 0 – Score: - use
of two hands (except in snaffle bit or hackamore classes designated for two
hands)
or changing hands on reins; except for junior horses shown with hackamore or snaffle
bit, only one hand may be used on the reins, except that it is permissible to change
hands to work an obstacle (as outlined in WESTERN EQUIPMENT) or to straighten rein when stopped. - use
of romal other than as outlined in WESTERN EQUIPMENT
- performing
the obstacle incorrectly or other than in specified order
- no
attempt to perform an obstacle
- equipment
failure that delays completion of pattern
- excessively
or repeatedly touching the horse on the neck to lower the head
- entering
or exiting an obstacle from the incorrect side or direction
- working
obstacle the incorrect direction; including overturns of more than 1/4 turn
- riding
outside designated boundary marker of the arena or course area
- third
cumulative refusal, balk, or evading an obstacle by shying or backing
- failure
to ever demonstrate correct lead and/or gait as designated
- failure
to follow the correct line of travel between obstacles
- excessive
schooling, pulling, turning, stepping or backing anywhere on course
- failure
to open and shut gate or failure to complete gate (except for novice or rookie
classes where they place below all who complete course correctly)
Faults scored according to severity which occur on the line of travel between
obstacles include: - head
carried too high
- head
carried too low (tip of ear below the withers)
- over-flexing
or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind the vertical
- excessive
nosing out
- opening
mouth excessively
Faults which will be cause for disqualification - Consistently
head carried too low
- Consistently
over-flexing or straining neck in head carriage so the nose is carried behind
the vertical
Trail Course. Management, when setting courses, should keep in mind that the idea is not to trap a horse, or eliminate it by making an obstacle too difficult. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind so as to eliminate any accidents. If difficult courses are set, Level 1 (Novice) trail should be less difficult. When the distances and spaces are measured between all obstacles, the inside base to inside base measurement of each obstacle considering the normal path of the horse should be the measuring point. Enough space must be provided for a horse to jog [at least 30 feet (9 meters)] and lope [at least 50
feet (15 meters)] for the judges to evaluate these gaits.
Mandatory trail course obstacles include: - Opening,
passing through and closing gate. (Losing control of gate is to be penalized.) Use
a gate which will not endanger horse or rider. If the gate has a metal, plastic
or wooden support bar under the opening, contestants must work the gate moving
forward through it.
- Ride
over at least four logs or poles. These can be in a straight line, curved,
zigzag or raised
• Backing obstacles spaced a minimum of 28” (70 cm) If elevated, 30” (75 cm) spacing is required.
Entrants cannot be asked to back over a stationary object such as a wooden pole or metal bar. - Back
through and around at least three markers.
- Back
through L, V, U, straight or similar-shaped course. May be elevated no more
than 24” (60 cm).
Spacing - Walk
overs 20” to 24” (50 - 60 cm) and may be
elevated to 12” (30 cm). Elevated walkovers should be set at least 22” (55 cm)
apart.
- Trot
overs shall be 3’ to 3’3” (90 -100 cm) and may be elevated to 8” (20 cm).
- Lope
overs 6’ to 6 1/2’ (1.8 - 2 meters) or increments thereof, and may be elevated
to 8” (20 cm).
- *Most
trail courses are set at:
Walk over – 2ft
Trot over – 3ft
Lope over – 6ft - Backing
around obstacles spaced a minimum of 28” (70 cm) If elevated, 30” (75 cm)
spacing is required. Entrants cannot be asked to back over a stationary object
such as a wooden pole or metal bar.
Optional trail course obstacles include but are not limited to: - Water
hazard (ditch or small pond). No metal or slick bottom-boxes will be used.
- Serpentine
obstacles at walk or jog. Spacing to be minimum of 6’ ( 1.8 meters) for jog.
- Carry
object from one part of arena to another. (Only objects which reasonably might
be carried on a trail ride may be used.)
- Ride
over wooden bridge. (Suggested minimum width shall be 36” (90 cm) wide and at
least six feet long). Bridge should be sturdy, safe and negotiated at a walk
only.
- Put
on and remove slicker.
- Remove
and replace materials from mailbox.
- Side
pass (may be elevated to 12” (30 cm) maximum).
- “The
Box” An obstacle consisting of four logs or rails, laid in a square. Minimum
width of the square should be 6’ (1.8 m). Each contestant will enter the square
by riding over log or rail as designated. When all four feet are inside the
square, rider should execute a turn, as indicated, and depart.