Discipline - Trail Competitions
Introduction to Trail Competitions
Trail is a competitive class at horse shows where horses and riders in western-style attire navigate a series of obstacles. Originally designed to resemble situations a horse and rider might actually encounter when on a trail in a natural habitat, modern trail classes now tend to focus more heavily on agility and manners.
A typical trail course requires horse and rider to open and pass through a small gate while mounted; carry objects from one part of arena to another; walk across a fake bridge; cross over a set of rails or logs at a walk, trot or lope; back up, often with a turn while backing; sidepass, often over a rail or log; turn on the forehand or hindquarters within a confined area; and tolerate some type of "spooky" obstacle, such as having the rider put on a vinyl raincoat. The horse is asked to perform all three gaits in the process of completing the course.
Additional obstacles or tests may include walking over a plastic tarp or through water; having the horse ground-tie (remain standing in one spot while the rider walks away); to walk, trot or lope in very tight quarters, such as traveling through a series of cones or markers in a serpentine pattern; or take a small jump (usually under 18 inches). Course must have a minimum of six obstacles and a maximum of eight. The recommended time is around two minutes per horse. Course designers are encouraged to make sure the course doesn't give a direct advantage to either a small or large horse.
Sanctioned horse shows have extremely strict, uniform rules for types of obstacles allowed, distances and sizes used for agility obstacles, and rules for time allowed for each obstacle
Local shows not governed by the rules of a national organization may have simpler courses that do not require all three gaits have fewer, simpler obstacles, or easier spacing. On the other hand, unsanctioned shows may also have far more imaginative courses than do larger competitions. Obstacles not allowed at most sanctioned shows but sometimes seen at the local level may include asking a horse to load in a strange trailer; asking the horse to pass quietly by animal hides (cow hides are common, but even bear skins may be seen) or asking the horse to pass by or even lead unusual live animals (everything from goats and mules to llamas). Often, the only limit is the course designer's imagination.
Trail classes are judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the rider, and quality of movement. Credit is given to horses that negotiate the course with style and efficiency, showing attentiveness to the obstacles and the capability of picking their own way through the course. Horses are penalized for any unnecessary delay while negotiating the obstacles, going off course, knocking down obstacles or flat out refusing to perform an obstacle. After refusals at three different obstacles, the horse and rider are eliminated.
In a typical competition, all horses enter the arena with a score of 70. Each obstacle will receive an obstacle score ranging from plus 1 1/2 (excellent) to minus 1 1/2 (extremely poor) that should be added or subtracted from 70. At the end of the work, obstacle scores will be totaled. A final score of 70 denotes an average performance. All horses are judged from the time they enter the arena until the completion of the last obstacle.
Another popular event that combines elements of a trail class with actual natural conditions is the judged trail ride, where riders travel a natural trail, usually of five to ten miles, and periodically come upon obstacles where the horse's manners and performance are judged.
