I like to do many different things with my horse, Valerie. I enjoy showing her in Arabian western pleasure, trail class, and reining. However, spending all my time in the arena is boring. Going around and around in a circle every day becomes monotonous and I am sure Valerie agrees with me.
To change up my riding routine, I like going on trail rides when the weather is nice. Another boarder at the barn and I trailer out to a nearby park and hit the trail. Trail riding is fun, relaxing, and I think good for your horse’s brain since they encounter new experiences.
However, a year ago I discovered a horse activity that combines competition and trail riding. It is called Trail Trials.
What are Trail Trials?
Here is the definition that Equestrian Trails, Inc. (ETI), a family-oriented riding club that holds this event, gives:
“A Trail Trials is a judged competition on the trail using natural and man-made obstacles, judging the horse/rider combination on their performance under difficult situations they may find on a trail. “
I participated in my first Trail Trial (TT) held at Lynch Canyon Open Space park in Solano County, California. The weather was nice and the trail was moderately strenuous over rolling grasslands. Most ETI Sanctioned TTs average two to three hours and are not timed. Riders may be given a time limit to ride through a particular obstacle so that riders behind them don’t get held back. Each TT has 10 to 12 natural or simulated obstacles along the way. The Lynch Canyon TT had obstacles that ranged from delivering mail to dragging a log. Each obstacle had a “story” attached to it. For example, one obstacle was opening and closing a gate. The scenario was that you needed to hold the gate open for a park ranger to drive his truck through but also had to watch that the nearby cattle did not escape through the gate. You ride through each obstacle one at a time with a volunteer judge watching your performance. The judge scores you on your ability to negotiate and guide your horse through the obstacles, calmly and safely. Scoring is by points, zero is the best with 10 meaning you need lots of improvement.
Valerie did well considering it was her first time and the first time on a trail ride with about 15 other horses. We completed all the obstacles with fairly good scores, zeros and other low numbers. (No tens!) The only obstacle I did not want to attempt was to drag a log. This is something she had never done before and I did not want to put too much pressure on her.
Who Can Do This?
Any breed of horse can enter this competition and you don’t have to wear any special clothing. In addition, you can be a beginner or an advanced rider. The competition is very informal, people are friendly, and you don’t have to try an obstacle you do not feel comfortable doing with your horse.
Because of the age range you can participate with your family or friends.
How Do You Win?
You can use the TT as a competitive event or to school your horse. If you do not want to compete, you can enter as a companion rider (a rider who is not competing but wants to ride along) or as a schooling rider (a rider who is not competing but wants to practice the obstacles).
If you do want to compete, you need to chose a category based on age and experience. Here are the categories: 17 and under (Novice and Intermediate), 18 – 49 (Novice, intermediate, and Advanced), 50+ (Novice, intermediate, and Advanced).
I would then recommend you go to http://etinational.com/trailtrialrules.html and read about the obstacles and how to perform them to get the best score. Here is a list of seventeen possible obstacles:
- Backup
- Crossing a bridge
- Walking down hill
- Opening and closing a gate
- Checking your horse’s hoof
- Leading your horse
- Dragging a log
- Mounting
- Walking by moving obstacles, such as a bike or backpacker
- Holding an object
- Stepping over something
- Stopping on command
- Checking your tack
- Tying your horse
- Turning around on a trail
- Walking up hill
- Crossing water
Tip: The one thing you must remember to do when doing an Uphill, Downhill, Mount, or Drag Obstacle that could cause your saddle to slip is to check your cinch. If you don’t do this you will lose points. You can do it mounted or dismounted. However, the key is to be sure the judge has seen you perform this check or you will be marked down.
If you are interested in getting involved in TTs in California, go to the ETI National home page. You can read more information about competition rules there. In addition, they sell a TT DVD that shows and explains how to properly perform the obstacles for $23.00. I bought the DVD and found it worth while. Here is an excerpt of the video from YouTube ETI National Trail Trials Obstacles DVD excerpt.
If you live in Northern California to compete in a TT, join the California State Horseman’s Association (CSHA) and then go to the Trail Trials page.
Here is a CSHA 2009_score_sheet1, if you want to start practicing!
Has anyone else tried Trail Trials? Did you and your horse like it? Let me know.
Photo by handslive
