The Judges Chair - Trail

 

Improve your training, presentation and score.

 

Score starts at 70, moves up or down permaneuver: +1 ½ Excellent, +1 Very Good, + ½ Good, 0 Correct, - ½ Poor, - 1 VeryPoor, -1 ½ Extremely Poor

In contrast to Penalty application, the Maneuver Score is still somewhat subjective.  For example it is at the judge’s discretion whether a maneuver receives a “Correct = Maneuver Score of 0” or a “Good = Maneuve rScore of +1/2”.  To reduce the subjectivity and to standardize the event so that riders know how they should ride the pattern, carded judges must attend regular seminars and workshops where  runs are reviewed, discussed and Maneuver Scores are standardized as much as is possible. 

To receive a Maneuver Score of 0the horse must show no resistance.  Signs of resistance such as open mouth, pinned ears, refusal to move, all very quickly reduce the score.  A “Correct, Maneuver Score = 0” executed maneuver such as a “Trot-Over” is a pleasure to watch but generally does not have a very high degree of difficulty.  In order to raise the Maneuver Score to the“Good = + 1/2”, “Very Good = +1”, or even “Excellent = +1 ½”, then the degree of difficulty must be increased. Factors that may contribute to the degree of difficulty include:

·       Quality of Movement.  Above average movers; horses that lift their shoulders and engage their hindquarters effortlessly are difficult to find and maintain and deserve a higher Maneuver Score.

·       Cadence. Horses that maintain a very consistent cadence, or rhythm in their motion.

·       Executing an obstacle with continuous, uninterrupted motion with a degree of quickness is difficult and deserves a higher score.

·       Minimal guidance. Guiding the horse through the obstacles with reins and legs is obviously necessary and acceptable, but those horses that are trained to execute the pattern with very little obvious help from the rider are demonstrating a greater degree of difficulty.

·       Challenging pattern.  Many patterns have a point that is a little more challenging, generally a “Trot-Over” or a “Lope-Over” that is a little tight. Horses that can negotiate these places without difficulty also deserve a higher Maneuver Score.  Note that challenging does not mean “scary”, the purpose of trail is not to find thehorse that is simply dull and does not care about his surroundings, it is more about the horse that guides through obstacles willingly and effortlessly.

The modern Trail patterns that have contributed so much to the sport are based on more uninterrupted forward motion than were the older courses.  In the old days we tried to build patterns whose purpose was to scare the horse. We would have blowing flags, noisy goats, dangerous teeter totters and any other crazy thing we could think of.  These obstacles had very little to do with the origin of the event; that is a nice trail horse to ride outside on the trail.  It is natural for a good horse tobe skeptical about crossing a rickety teetering bridge that feels like it may collapse.  Or, why would I want to put my horse’s front feet in an old tire and do a turn on the forehand inside it?  That was another crazy obstacle that I had to ride many times; not very natural. Courses today emphasize forward motion and a horse’s ability to becareful with their feet while going over rails with a nice effortless cadence.  It is also mandatory that a “Gate” and a “Back-through” be included. All natural things for a trail horse to do.  Other optional obstacles include a water hazard, serpentine, bridge, carrying a slicker, a side pass and a turn within the confines of a box.  Any safe and negotiable obstacle can be used at the judge’s discretion, it’s important tha tthe obstacle does not trap the horse.

The rulebook allows judges to reduce the maneuver score for anything that strays too far away from “natural”.  Touching the horses neck repeatedly to cue him to lower his head, a trick to make it appear as ifhe is naturally checking out the obstacle, can be cause ford isqualification.  Tricks like these are being discouraged.  As is consistently travelling with the tip of the ear below the withers, with the head unnaturally high or the nose carried behind the vertical. A horse that is pressured too much and has to be ridden on such a tight rein that the nose is consistently behind the vertical is a common novice mistake that reduces the Maneuver Score. When in doubt, the most natural moving, relaxed horse is the best.

It’s importantto train to avoid penalties.  It is ½ point penalty every time the horse ticks a rail and 1 point penalty when he hits a rail.  Generally speaking you can hear a tick but you can see the rail move on a hit. It’s also a 1 point penalty when an incorrect number of strides are used between the rails.  If the course is designed for one stride between the rails and the horse slows to where he puts in 2 strides or if hespeeds up and misses the space it’s a 1 point penalty.  Missing a space is common in walkover’s.   These penalties add up fast.  The spacing between rails is very important and the rulebook defines them.  Incorrect spacing makes for an obstacle that is impossible to do correctly, so it isimportant in training that you measure the distance between the rails.  Going over rails that are set at incorrect distances are almost impossible to do without touching, and they will cause the horse to be lazy with his feet or nervous of the obstacle.  “Walk Overs” should be 20 -24 (40 – 46 cm) inches apart, “Trot Overs”  3 feet to 3 ½ feet (90– 105 cm) and “Lope Overs”” 6 – 7 (1.8 – 2 m) Feet apart.  By practicing at the correct distances you will learn if you need to speed your horse a little (lengthen his stride) or slow your horse (shorten his stride) to hit the distances penalty free at theshow.

Break of gait at a walk or jog, for less than two strides, is a 1 point penalty.  This happens often inadvertently when entering an obstacle such as a “Box”.  If the pattern calls for a jog between the “Box” and the previous obstacle, the horse must jog all of the way into thebox.  Often the rider will slow as thebox is approached and the horse will break to a walk with the hind feet as thebox is entered.  This is a break of gaitand a 1 point penalty must be called.

If the break of gait is more than two strides or occurs at the lope, then it’s a 3 point penalty.  Very common in lopeover’s.  An incorrect lead or steppingoff of, or outside, an obstacle with one foot is also penalty 3.  More than one foot outside an obstacle ispenalty 5.  A refusal, holding the saddle, and use of either hand to instill fear or praise are all penalty 5.  So don’t be petting your horse in the pattern, it’s costly.

Trail used tobe considered one of the most boring classes, but now Trail is interesting, challenging and contributes to the development of nice moving horses that guide well.

 

 

                              

Crossing the bridge at a Quarter Horse Association of Albertashow.  Horse is MCR Senora Driftwood(Rose) owned by Bonnie Graft, rider Lyle Jackson.

An AQHA Trail Score sheet, most judges use these sheets andthen post them so that the riders can see how they got to the score they were given.  (Attached file)

A typical flowing Trail Pattern, this pattern was designed byTim Kimura. (Attached file)

 

New styles of Trail courses and are fined judging system have lead to major changes in horse show Trail classes.  Trail has evolved into an event that is now less subjective in its judging as well as more fun to judge, watch and ride.  This is largely due to the organizations that are primarily responsible for the event rules, the AQHA, NSBA and APHA all adopting a standard set of judging rules. These rules are based on each obstacle being evaluated by the giving of a Maneuver Score in ½ point increments from “Excellent” at +1 ½, down to “VeryPoor” at – 1 ½.  Additionally there are set penalties that the judge must apply for certain infractions.  These penalties are not at the judge’s discretion, the rules state that if the infraction occurs then the exact penalty must be applied.  It is not subjective, either it happens or it does not; for example there is no good way or bad way to lose control of the gate. If the hand leaves the gate while completing the obstacle (other than normal changing of hand position or grip), it is a mandatory 5 point penalty that the judge must apply.  Knowing these penalties is crucial for understanding what is important to practice and how toride the pattern in order to get the best score possible.