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.

approaching or negotiating the obstacles. Horses with artificial

appearance over obstacles should be penalized.

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

the discretion of the judge.

before scheduled starting time of the class.

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:

-Use of more than one finger between reins

-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.

-Use of romal other than as outlined in 443(e)

-Performing the obstacles 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

-Fall to the ground by horse or rider

including overturns of more than 1/4 turn

-Failure to follow the correct line of travel within or between obstacles

-Failure to work an obstacle in any manner other than how it’s described

by the course

-Riding outside designated boundary marker of the course

-Third refusal

-Failure to demonstrate correct lead or gait, if designated

-Each tick of log, pole, cone or obstacle

-Each hit of or stepping on a log, pole, cone or obstacle

-Break of gait at walk or jog for two strides or less

-Both front or hind feet in a single-strided slot or space

-Skipping over or failing to step into required space

-Split pole in lope-over

-Failure to meet the correct strides on trot over and lope over log

obstacles

-Break of gait at walk or jog for more than 2 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.

-Stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off or out of an

obstacle with one foot

-Dropping slicker or object required to be carried on course

-First refusal, balk, or attempting to evade an obstacle by shying or

backing more than 2 strides away

-Letting go of gate or dropping rope gate

-Use of either hand to instill fear or praise

-Stepping outside the confines of, falling or jumping off or out of an

obstacle with more than one foot

-Blatant disobedience (kicking out, bucking, rearing, striking)

-Second refusal, balk, or attempting to evade an obstacle by shying or

backing more than two strides away

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,

junior 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.

worked. In the case that a combination of obstacles are used, the course

cannot be reset until the contestant finishes the entire course regardless

of where any disruption occurs.

the mandatory list of obstacles and at least three different others selected

from the list of optional obstacles.

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.

straight line, curved, zigzag or raised. The space between the logs is to be

measured and the path the horse is to take should be the measuring

point. Trotovers and lopeovers cannot be elevated in novice classes. All

elevated elements must be placed in a cup, notched block, or otherwise

secured so they cannot roll. The height should be measured from the

ground to the top of the element. Spacing for walkovers, trotovers, and

lopeovers should be as follows or increments thereof.

cm to 60 cm) and may be elevated to 12” (30 cm). Elevated

walkovers should be set at least 22” (55 cm) apart.

(90cm-105cm) and may be elevated to 8” (20 cm).

2.1 meters) or increments thereof, and may be elevated to 8” (20 cm).

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.

course. May be elevated no more than 24” (60 cm).

bottom-boxes will be used.

of 6’ ( 1.8 meters) for jog.

objects which reasonably might be carried on a trail ride may be

used.)

shall be 36” (90 cm) wide and at least six feet long). Bridge should

be sturdy, safe and negotiated at a walk only.

(1.5 to 2.1 meters) long, laid in a square. 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.

be expected to be encountered on a trail ride and meets the

approval of the judge may be used.

acceptable.

to alter the course in any manner. The judge may remove or change

any obstacle he deems unsafe or non-negotiable. If at any time a trail

obstacle is deemed to be unsafe by the judge, it shall be repaired or

removed from the course. If it cannot be repaired and horses have

completed the course, the score for that obstacle shall be deducted

from all previous works for that class.