This class is judged on the performance of the horse over and through obstacles with emphasis on manners, response to the handler and attitude. Contestants will travel, leading the horse on a halter/lead over or through five (5) trail obstacles, to be chosen by the judge and posted minimum of one hour prior to the beginning of the class. The course will consist of any obstacles which could reasonably be expected to be encountered on a trail ride. Credit will be given to horses negotiating the obstacles with style, expression and a degree of speed, providing carefulness is not sacrificed. Special credit is given to a horse picking its way through an obstacle that warrants it and willingly responding to a handler' cues on other obstacles. Horses shall be penalized for any unnecessary delay while approaching or negotiating the obstacles or for blatant disobedience. They will also be penalized for failure to demonstrate correct lead or gait, if designated, failure to complete obstacles, failure to follow correct line of travel within or between obstacles or for performing obstacles incorrectly or other than specified order or no attempt to perform an obstacle.
Possible obstacles:
- Opening, passing through and closing a gate
- Going over a bridge - horse only
- Carrying object from one part of arena to other
- Placing blanket or pad on horse' back
- Walk over a tarp
- Weave through cones
- Going over at least four logs
- Back through - straight, L-shaped, T-shaped or in a zigzag
- Mailbox
- Walk & trot throughs
Possible additional obstacles for two year old class:
- Side pass
- Turning in a 6'x6' Box- done without entering the box
Trail In-Hand Scoring:
? point penalty
- Each tic of log, pole, cone, obstacle
1 point penalty
- Each hit or stepping on log, pole, cone or obstacle
- Incorrect gait at walk or jog of 2 strides or less
- Both front or hind feet in single?strided slot or space
- Skipping over or failing to step into required space
- Split pole in lope-over
- Failure to meet correct strides on trot-over & lope-over obstacles
3 point penalties
- Break of gait at walk or jog for more than 2 strides
- Out of lead or break of gait at lope
- Knocking down elevated pole, cone, barrel or severely disturbing obstacle
- Stepping outside confine of, falling or jumping off or out of obstacle with one foot
5 point penalties
- Dropping slicker or object required to be carried on course
- Use of either hand to instill fear
- Blatant disobedience
- First refusal, balk or attempt to evade by shying or backing 2 strides
- Stepping outside confine of, falling or jumping off or out of obstacle with more than one foot
- Loss of control or letting go of gate
- Second refusal, balk or attempt to evade by shying or backing more than 2 strides
- Failure to demonstrate correct lead or gait
- Failure to complete obstacle
- Failure to follow correct line of travel within or between obstacles
Penalty Score of 0
- Performing obstacles incorrectly or other than in specified order
- No attempt to perform an obstacle
- Equipment failure that delays completion of pattern
- Fall of horse on course
- Use of prohibited appointments (including whips)
- Failure to enter, exit or work obstacle from correct side or direction
- Failure to work obstacle in any manner than how it's described
- Third refusal, anywhere on course
An exhibitor will be penalized a maximum of 15 points on any one obstacle. Horses with a clean or minor fault trip over course will be considered before horses who have been assessed the maximum 15 point penalty on any obstacle in the final scoring and placing.
