General Questions
Who is eligible?
Anyone who has a horse, mule or pony and enjoys the beauty, adventure and challenge of traversing a trail course is eligible. Whether you choose the more difficult Silverado Arena course or a few single classes in the Logan Arena, you are in for a treat! There is something for everyone and this is truly a one-of-a-kind competition.
What is a Trail Horse?
A trail horse is one that can maneuver through a course of obstacles with physical skill, expression and a good mental attitude. It should travel through and between obstacles with inquisitive desire to go forward without compromising its calm, relaxed attitude and way of going. It should approach each obstacle squarely with authority and correct form, with its own style, yet maintaining its willingness to be guided by the competitor with no apparent resistance.
What Tack & Attire should I use?
We want you to dress like you would for a day on the trail. Remember though that this is a competition and if it comes to a tiebreaker, the cleaner, neater package may be the difference. We do require all riders wear safe supportive footwear (preferably boots with at least a ½ inch heel). You are encouraged to wear a helmet. As for equipment, you compete with the tack you would use on a trail ride. Make sure it is safe and proper. Silver and/or show clothes will NEVER matter in this competition! Also, a word about bits: You WILL NOT be disqualified for using 2 hands on a shank bit, however, there could be a penalty. The penalty will be at each judge's discretion. Riding with two hands is permitted if you are using a snaffle, regardless of the age of the horse
Where is the Schooling Area?
A schooling area will be provided in the Emerald Arena (and weather permitting outside) with enough elements to adequately warm up for a trail class.
When will the Trail Patterns be available?
Patterns and order of go for each division will be posted at least one hour before the start of the class.
What is a Course Walk-Through?
All entered exhibitors will be allowed to walk and inspect the course with the judges and with the course designer, if present, first thing in the morning and after the lunch break.
How will I be Scored?
All horses enter the arena with a score of 0. With each obstacle, the judge will assign a score to that obstacle. At the completion of that division, scores will be totaled and a final score for each exhibitor will be given. Scores for each division will be posted as soon as possible. Each obstacle will be scored on a scale of 0-10. A score of zero will be given for a refusal and a score of 10 is perfect. Scores in between represent the degree to which the judge feels the horse and rider negotiate that particular obstacle.
Who will be Disqualified?
Abuse to the animal inside or outside the competition arena and/or evidence that an act of abuse has occurred will result in disqualification. This includes lameness and/or fresh blood in mouth, chin, shoulder, barrel, flank or hip; disrespect or misconduct by exhibitor.
Division Definitions
Gamblers Choice: Riders will get three minutes in the arena, choosing their own course and obstacles, each obstacle will have different point values and it’s up to you to choose what your best at. Riders can do any obstacle up to three times, but they cannot be consecutively.
Mountain Trail Cattle Drive: Showcases how well you can handle a cow, riders will be asked to maneuver cattle through parts of the trail course. This class should as well prove to be entertaining.
*“Back To Basics”: For those riders who want to go back to the basics in our Mountain Trail Competitions with an easier course that has fewer potentially "scary" obstacles.
“Straight off the Trail”: Neither horse nor exhibitor have participated in any competition prior to this event.
Mtn. Trail Explorer: Neither horse nor exhibitor have won a 1st Place in an OHC Mountain Trail competition prior to this event.
Novice Rider: Rider has not won 3 first place ribbons in any Mountain Trail Event. Also, if you are a professional in the horse business in any capacity meaning you accept money for training or instruction, you are not a novice rider whether you’ve ever competed or not.
Novice Horse: Horse has not won 3 first place ribbons in any Mountain Trail Event.
Green Horse: See the show premium for exact dates.
Amateur – An exhibitor/competitor who engages in this activity as a pastime/hobby/sport, rather than a profession. (If you take any money for training, instruction, giving lessons etc… you are not an amateur).
In-Hand: Handler leads equine through the course using a halter or bridle.
Stock/Hunter Type: Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas and horses of similar style
Saddle/Pleasure Type: Arabians, Morgans, Saddlebreds and horses of similar style.
Colored Equines: Pinto, Paint, Appaloosa etc.
Course Definitions
Jackpot: A class where a percentage of the entry fee is paid back to the winners.
Order of Go/Working Order: Randomly determined order in which exhibitors in a division compete on the course.
Course Walk-through: Opportunity to navigate the course on foot prior to competition in order to ask questions and become comfortable with the pattern. This is your opportunity to determine the safety and feasibility of each obstacle for you and your individual animal. There will be an OHC led walk-through each morning prior to the event. Please walk the course prior to the OHC walk-through so that you know the course.
Knockdown: When any portion of an obstacle is displaced from its original position by either the horse or the competitor.
Off Course: Taking an obstacle in the wrong direction; negotiating an obstacle from the wrong side; skipping an obstacle directed by judge, negotiating obstacles in the wrong sequence; not following the correct line of travel either in the drawn pattern or at the judges instruction. Off Course will result in a score of zero for that obstacle.
Refusal: Any action taken by the horse to avoid performing an obstacle, part of a combination of obstacles or portion of a trail course. These actions may include, but are not limited to the following: balking, evading or running past an obstacle, complete loss of the required gait, any blatant action by the horse that demonstrates an unwillingness to approach, negotiate and/or complete an obstacle. After 3 unsuccessful attempts at an obstacle, the judge will instruct the exhibitor to move to the next obstacle and the exhibitor will take a score of zero for that obstacle.
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