Equine Trail Challenge--Fall 2022
Schedule:         

• July 31             Breakaway Ranch, Springfield, TN
• Aug 28             Hendersonville Mounted Police Training facility
• Sep 25             Breakaway Ranch, Springfield, TN (3220 Lipscomb Road)
• RESCHEDULED: NOV 5             Championships-- Hendersonville Mounted Police Training facility

Cost:  Early Bird Special until July 30:  $200 for the complete 4 event series
          After July 30 or for individual competitions--$75 per competition or $300 for all 4 events

Contact:  Call or text Ron Chlasta, R & M Stables at 615-712-3513

Event Information

Competitors may choose to engage in this competition series by signing up for all four competitions, or simply sign up one at a time provided entries are available on the particular date selected. This is a buckle series competition with the championship event being held on October 30, 2022. Riders will accrue points at each competition that are carried forward and added to their scores as they navigate the competitions listed on the various dates.
 
Each competition will offer a novice and an open category. These categories are open to riders of all ages both youth and adult. Competitors will score in the category in which they enter. If a competitor enters either novice or open division, they must complete the entire series in that division in order for points to accrue into the championship round. If a rider decides to change divisions after the first competition, they are permitted to do so but points will not be carried forward to the championship round. Riders are encouraged to plan accurately prior to the first competition based on a realistic personal assessment of their skills and abilities.
 
Novice and Open riders will compete on courses that are set both inside and outside of an arena and on a natural trail. The following dates and venues have been determined. The goal is to travel to different venues in order to have a more challenging competition. Often horses will see an obstacle in one arena but when you move the obstacle to a different location, they can react like they are seeing it for the first time. 
 
Schedule        
         July 31             Breakaway Ranch, Springfield, TN
         Aug 28             Hendersonville Mounted Police Training facility
         Sep 25             Breakaway Ranch, Springfield, TN
         Oct 30             Championships Hendersonville Mounted Police Training facility
 
These competitions take place on the last Sunday of each month and will begin at 2 p.m. Cost to compete in all four events is $200. If a rider can only participate in one or two events, then the cost is $75 per event. Please plan your calendar carefully. There are no refunds, no transfers, and definitely no whining!
 
Overview: Expectations for the horse and rider for the trail obstacle course.

1. The horse and rider will be judged as an overall team and partnership as they travel the course and maneuver each obstacle.
2. Horses will be scored for a forward moving natural gait along with a natural head set for the breed standard. Judges are looking for a relaxed rein. Contact is allowable, but an excessively tight rein may result in horsemanship point deductions for the rider.
3. The horse and rider should move boldly and confidently forward through the obstacles; there should be no break of gait while entering the obstacle, performing maneuvers on the obstacle, travelling through the obstacle, or exiting the obstacle.
4. Horses should not bolt, spook, be excessively calling, buck, rear, balk or appear distracted.
5. A rider may ride in any bridle one or two handed on any breed of horse. However if a rider begins an obstacle one handed or two handed, they should complete the obstacle how they started or they will receive a deduction in horsemanship points. A rider may subtly loosen or pick up on the rein as they maneuver the obstacles with no deduction.
6. While riding, a competitor may grab the horn or the cantle of the saddle when stepping up or down a steep obstacle or hill without risk of penalty.
7. A horse under the age of 2 may not be entered in this event.

 
Tack and Equipment

1. English, Western, Endurance, Australian, or other breed-specific saddles are permitted. Bareback pads are not permissible. English, Western, or breed-specific bridles, bosal, hackamore or bitless bridles are acceptable. The style of bridle and bit should match the style of saddle being used. These must be safe and acceptable by the judge(s).
2. Excessive bling or silver is discouraged.
3. Spurs, gloves, chaps, crops, and dressage whips are all acceptable and optional for riders.
4. Breast collars and back cinches are acceptable if fitted properly. If these are ill fitting or improperly adjusted, then deductions may be incurred. 
5. Leg boots, and wraps are recommended on all four legs, but not required.
6. A braided mane and tail are not required for English riders.
7. PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT

1. Wire curb straps
2. Draw reign, martingales, or tie downs
3. Fake tails
4. Double twisted mouthpieces or any type of chain mouthpieces
5. No wire or chain over the poll or nose of the horse.
6. Bits of any style featuring mouthpieces with cathedrals, donuts, prongs, sharp edges, or rough sharp material are not permitted.

 
9. The judge may prohibit the use of equipment that he/she considers severe or inhumane. A rider at any time before or after their obstacle may be asked to drop the bridle in question.
 
Attire:

1. The style of the rider’s attire should match the tack used, I.e., western attire should be worn when riding with western tack.
2. Western riders should be dressed clean and neat in jeans with no tears. A long or short sleeve collared button up or a polo is acceptable. At this event - All Riders are required to wear helmets. Riders over the age of 18 may exclude helmets if they sign and initial their desire to do so on the waiver form for this series.  Proper western riding boots or other safe and appropriate equestrian footwear are required.
3. English riders should be dressed clean and neat in breeches and a collared shirt with sleeves. Jackets are not required. Proper English riding boots or other safe and appropriate equestrian footwear are required.

 
General Rules and Scoring.
 
1.Each obstacle is worth 10 points. Every obstacle is broken down into three sections which will be judged separately.

1. Approach
2. Obstacle
3. Departure

2. If a horse completes the obstacle in an outstanding manner, with ease and it is considered exceptionally well done, then the horse will be awarded 10 points.
3. Deductions occur for the team and include but are not limited to; dirty tack, a dirty horse, excessive use of spurs, excessive use of crop or whip, excessive heavy hands, hitting or abusive behavior to equine, improper attire, switching how the reins ar held ( 1 or 2 hands) during obstacle. (exception is when operating a gate or doing a log drag) going out of order on course, or an overly tight rein.
4. Judges are looking for how the horse performs. Possible deductions include excessive rearing, bucking, balking, shying or backing away from obstacle. Also bolting, spooking, or refusing to move forward once rider begins the obstacle.
5. Off pattern occurs when a rider completely misses an obstacle in the order of the pattern without acknowledging that obstacle. Off pattern will be scored as a 0. If a rider passes an obstacle but realizes before starting the next obstacle, then they have the opportunity to go back and be scored on the missed obstacle they will also receive a deduction of 1 point. If the competitor has started the next obstacle, then they may not go back and be scored on the missed obstacle. (Most of our obstacles happen in a straight forward numerical sequence. It will be hard to get them out of order.
6. Possible Disqualification or (DQ)

1. Rider with an unscheduled dismount during obstacle or if they fall off at any time.
2. Inappropriate comments made to judges, scribes, ranch owners or other competitors
3. Inappropriate and excessive corrections or abusive behavior made to equine by rider
4. Equipment failure.

 
Obstacle/Trail Pattern
 
The trail pattern will be released to competitors a minimum or at least 1 hour before the start of the competition. Go order will be determined once all applications are received. Riders will be sent out individually 2 minutes apart in the open division. In the novice division gate judge will send riders onto course at their discretion. If one rider overtakes another rider on the course, they may pass them. If a rider comes up on a team that is performing the obstacle, they may not pass until that rider has completed the obstacle. The complete course is done at a WALK. There will be a warm-up obstacle arena available where riders can purchase a $15 pass to warm up and get settled to allow their horses to acclimate to the venue prior to being turned out on the course. Once the final rider has completed the course, riders may re-enter and practice on the obstacles they missed or might have had difficulty completing. Also, it will be a nice way to wrap up the day prior to the awards ceremony once scores are tallied.
 
Awards:
 
Awards are given at each event throughout the series. Ribbons are awarded to first, second and third place finishers at each event on the schedule for both novice and open division.

Championship Competition the winners of both novice and open division will win a buckle. Ribbons will be awarded to second and third place.