14.1 Categories
Class is limited to yearlings after 1st July in the year foaled, 2yr olds and 3yr olds.
14.2 This class will be judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the handler and quality of movement. Credit will be given to horses negotiating the obstacle with style, positive expression and minimal visible or audible cueing, providing correctness is not sacrificed. Horses should receive credit for showing attentiveness to obstacles and picking their way through the course when the obstacles warrant it and willingly responding to the handler's cues on more difficult obstacles. Horses shall be penalised for any unnecessary delay while approaching or negotiating the obstacles. Horses with artificial appearance over obstacles should be penalised.
14.3 Equipment: Horses are to be shown in a halter. The exhibitor must lead on the left side holding the lead shank in the right hand near the halter with the tail of the lead loosely coiled in the left hand. The exhibitor's hand shall not be on the chain portion of the lead. A chain or cord (minimum gauge 4 mm) may be used either under the chin or hanging from the halter. Any other use of the chain will result in disqualification. A lead without a chain can be snapped directly to the halter under the chin. The type of equipment used is not to be a consideration in placing the horse if the equipment meets the requirements stated above.
Exhibitor must use only the left hand to carry the excess lead, looped loosely, except when carrying an object from one part of the arena to another, opening/closing a gate or side passing.
Exhibitor is not allowed to touch the horse, except when side passing.
14.4 Scoring: Scoring will be on the basis of 0-infinity with 70 denoting an average score. 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 1½ to minus 1½: -1½ extremely poor, -1 very poor, -½ poor, 0 correct, +½ good, +1 very good, +1½ extremely good.
Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points. Credit will be given to those horses negotiating the obstacles cleanly, smoothly and alertly with style in prompt response to the handler's cues. Judges should consider the overall appearance of the horse, condition, grooming and the equipment in their overall scores. Correctness of the horse is to be considered. Drifting to the side or stopping crooked, leading or turning sluggishly should be considered and evaluated in the horse's manoeuvre scores and reflected in the horse's overall score.
14.5 Penalties: The following penalties will be applied to each occurrence and be deducted from the final score.
14.6 One-half (½) point
- Each tick or contact of a log, pole, cone, plant or any component of an obstacle.
14.7 One (1) point
- Incorrect or break of gait at walk or jog for two strides or less.
- Both front or hind feet in a single-stride slot or space.
- Skipping over or failing to step into the required space.
- Incorrect number of strides, if specified.
14.8 Five (5) Points
- Dropping slicker or object required to be carried on the course.
- First or second cumulative refusal, balk, or evading an obstacle by shying or backing.
- Letting go of the gate or dropping the rope gate.
- Use of either hand to install fear or praise (slight touching or tapping with one hand to cue a horse in a side-pass manoeuvre is acceptable).
- Falling or jumping off or out of a bridge or water box with more than one foot once the horse has stepped onto or into that obstacle.
- Stepping outside the confines of an obstacle with designated boundaries (e.g. back through, 360-degrees, box, side-pass) with more than one foot once the horse has entered the obstacle.
- Missing or evading a pole that is part of a series with more than one foot.
- Blatant disobedience (including biting, rearing, kicking out, bucking, rearing, striking or continuously circling the exhibitor).
14.9 Disqualified - 0 score
- Performing the obstacle incorrectly or other than in specified order.
- No attempt to perform an obstacle.
- Equipment failure that delays completion of pattern.
- Excessively or repeatedly touching the horse.
- Entering or exiting an obstacle from the incorrect side or direction.
- Working an obstacle in the incorrect direction; including overturns of more than ¼.
- Failure to follow the correct line of travel between obstacles.
- Working outside designated boundary marker of the arena or course area.
- Third cumulative refusal, balk, or evading an obstacle by shying or backing.
- Failure to demonstrate correct gait between obstacles as designated.
- Horse gets loose from exhibitor.
- Leading or backing on the wrong side of the horse; leading or backing should be performed from the left side of the horse.
- Fall of Horse or Exhibitor.
- Excessive schooling, pulling, turning or backing anywhere on course.
- Failure to open and close gate or failure to complete gate.
14.10 Course: Management, when setting courses, should keep in mind that 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 to eliminate any accidents. Obstacles should be placed in a manner that they flow from one to the other quickly and efficiently. When the distances and spaces are measured, all obstacles the inside base to inside base measurement of each obstacle considering the normal path of the horse should be the measuring point.
If disrupted the course shall be reset. In the case that an obstacle is used in a combination, the obstacle cannot be reset until the contestant finishes the entire obstacle.
The judge must walk the course and has the right and duty to alter the course in any manner. The judge may remove or change any obstacle he/she 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.
Courses will include a minimum of four and a maximum of eight obstacles and must be designed using a minimum of one obstacle from each of the following categories (A, B, C, D).
14.11 Category A: Lead over at least four logs or poles. These can be in a straight line, curved, zigzag or raised. Walkovers 20" to 24" (50 to 60 cm), may be elevated to 12" (30 cm), elevated walkovers at minimum 22" (55 cm) apart. Trot overs 3' to 3' 3" (90 to 100 cm), may be elevated to 8" (20 cm).
14.12 Category B:
- Side pass. An object of such nature which is safe may be used. If raised, height may not exceed 2 feet (60 to 96 cm). The obstacle should require the horse to side pass to the right or left. The exhibitor is allowed to touch the horse on the side during the side pass.
- Lime Circle. Requiring either: (a) Turn on the forehand with front feet inside and hind feet turning outside the circle; or (b) Turn on the haunches with hind feet inside and front feet outside the circle.
- Square. A minimum of 8' (2.4m) sides. Lead into the square. While all four feet are confined in the square, make the required turn and lead out. The handler may remain inside or outside the square.
- Gate. The gate must be set up so that it is a minimum of 4 feet (1.2m) wide and 4 feet (1.2m) in height and so that the exhibitor can open from his/her left side. It is permissible to carry excess lead in the right hand while negotiating the gate. Handlers losing control of the gate while passing through shall be penalised and scored accordingly.
14.13 Category C:
- Back Through. Poles: straight, L, double L, V, U, or similar shaped obstacle. Poles should be on the ground with a minimum spacing of 30" (76.2 cm). The handler may remain inside or outside the pole.
- Barrels or Cones. Minimum of three with a minimum spacing of 36" (91.4cm). Handler and horse should pass through the barrels or cones together.
- Bridge. A bridge with a wooden floor not to exceed 12" (30 to 48cm) in height, with or without side rails not less than 48" (122cm) apart will be used.
- Water Box. If used, water box must be dry.
14.14 Category D:
- Carrying Object. Any object other than an animal and of a reasonable size and weight may be carried to a specific point.
- Mailbox. Remove and/or replace item.
- Serpentine. Obstacle consisting of cones through which a horse will manoeuvre at a walk or jog. Cones to be placed a minimum of 4 feet (1.2m) for walk, 7 feet (2.1m) for jog.
Any other safe and negotiable obstacle which could reasonably be expected to be encountered on a trail and meets the approval of the judge may be used. A combination of two or more of any manoeuvres in an obstacle is acceptable.
14.15 Unacceptable Trail Course Obstacles Include but not limited to: tyres; animals; hides; PVC pipe; jumps; rocking or moving bridges; water box with water or moving parts; flames, dry ice, fire extinguisher etc.; logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits such to roll.