Hobby Horse Farm - Links - Carlton, Minnesota

Gaited Horse Trail Trials

Trail Trials is a new event in the Technical III Division of the FOSH Versatility High Point Program. These events have been popular in some areas, but in others, a totally new experience.

This is a competition designed to test the trail skills of a horse/rider team. Riders are judged and scored on their skill and ability to guide their horses through a natural obstacle course. Scores are ranked from lowest to highest with the lowest score denoting the winner. The event is a trail ride, usually between two – three hours, with trail obstacles along the way. The obstacles are natural, or simulate naturally occurring conditions for the horse and rider to negotiate and usually number 8 to 12.

A Trail Trial is not a race. Common sense and safety are of prime importance and it is the rider’s responsibility to determine if their horse is capable of competing. The trail is to be clearly marked and the obstacles are not arena style, such as back through L, boxes, etc. The obstacles should reflect riding conditions typical of the local environment with the goal being to maintain the character of an authentic trail ride.

A judge is stationed at each obstacle to evaluate the way horse/rider team negotiates the obstacle. The judge will mark the official score card for each competitor using a standard scoring system.
0 – Perfect – no discernable errors
1 – Above average – very minor errors
2 – Adequate job – obvious errors
3 – Made an effort – skills need development
4 – No success; obstacle beyond team’s skill level
24 – Bypassed Obstacle
24 – Refusal – horse moves feet away from the obstacle.

Snorting and looking – not refusals
3 attempts allowed – 8 points per refusal
Cinch Check – when necessary and stated, failure to execute will be 2 points
Jumping on, into, off of, through, or over any obstacle, unless required to do so, is a major fault.

Some required skills that may be used to negotiate the obstacles in a Trail Trial are:

Whoa – halt cues without argument
Stand quietly
Execute gaits calmly and as directed
Move the horse laterally (side to side)
Turn on the forehand and/or haunches
Back the horse in a straight line and/or around corners
Back either horse’s front or back feet over a raised object
Emergency Dismount – kick both feet out of the stirrup before landing on the ground, while maintaining control of horse through contact with a rein.

Stay tuned to the web site for more tips and updated information.