Competitive trail riding

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Competitive Trail Riding (CTR) is an equestrian sport where riders cover a marked trail for a distance that is usually between 15 and 35 miles per day. Some rides are only one day long, others may run as long as three days.

The goal of the competition is to demonstrate partnership between horse and rider. Unlike in endurance riding, factors other than speed are considered. If the ride is timed, it is a form of pace race; else it is a judged trail ride. In a timed ride, horses may not come in under or over a certain time, and veterinary checks, rider behavior and other elements play a role in the placings. Each competitor is evaluated on factors that include physical condition of the horse, campsite, and horse management.

The horse evaluated on performance, manners, and related criteria. "Pulse and respiration" stops check the horse's recovery ability. There are many different organizations which sanction Competitive Trail Rides. Horsemanship also is considered at some competitions, depending on the sanctioning organization. Riders are evaluated on how they handle the trail, manage the horse, and present to the judges and veterinarians throughout the ride. Obstacles are also set up along the trail and the horse and rider are graded on how well they perform as a team.

Rides are often held on public lands, such as Forest Service or BLM lands in the United States, but are also held on private property. The terrain varies depending on the part of the country in which a competition is held, and lands available for the event. Unlike trail riding at a guest ranch, where inexperienced riders walk their horses most of the time and cover simple trails, riders who compete in competitive trail rides are asked to have their animals navigate a variety of terrain and use all gaits, especially the trot.

Similar events exist around the world, though often with wide variations in rules and distances. In all cases, the most obvious difference between an endurance ride and a competitive trail ride is that the winner of an endurance ride is the first horse and rider team to cross the finish line and pass a vet check that deems the horse "fit to continue," whereas competitive trail rides usually consider additional factors and penalize a horse and rider that finish in too little time.

Contents

[edit] Sanctioning organizations

Competitive trail rides are sanctioned by several organizations in the United States, Canada and Europe. In the United States and [Canada]] these organizations include the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC), Eastern Competitive Trail Riding Association (ECTRA), Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Rides Association (UMECRA), Middle of the Trail Distance Riders Association (MODTRA), and others.

The largest organization is NATRC, followed by ECTRA; their ride philosophies differ primarily in that NATRC selects trail obstacles and ECTRA avoids them. <--Agreed, but I'm terrible at creating tables--> Both NATRC and ECTRA use a "window" type of pace race, where time only a factor as to the extent that the horse and rider must complete the distance within minimum and maximum time limits. In contrast, TREC uses a "precision" type of pace race.

[edit] A typical competition

Rides usually are weekend activities. For two-day rides, competitors arrive Friday afternoon. After setting up camp for themselves and their horse or horses, riders present their horse to the judges for a physical exam and trot them in hand or longe ("lunge") them. Any blemishes or other pre-existing conditions are noted. The judges give penalties for lameness but not for other conditions.

In the evening prior to the start of the ride, the riders are briefed in a general meeting. Maps are reviewed and veterinary hold criteria are given. The necessary ride speed is given, and if the ride is a window type pace race the minimum and maximum times are given.

Depending on the organization that sanctions the ride, a CTR may begin with either staggered starts or one or more mass starts. Rides that involve judged trail obstacles often use staggered starts to reduce the competitors' waiting time to try the obstacles. The average speed of a CTR usually is set between 3 and 6 miles per hour. Various organizations offer different divisions, based either on experience of the horse rider team, age of the rider weight of the rider, or other criteria.

Ideally a conditioning program needs to get the horse's pulse and respiration levels up at least 3 times per week. This can be accomplished with a vigorous 20-min workout, or a long, slower 4-hr ride. The horse’s pulse and respiration should be monitored as it is being worked to ensure that the workout creates an appropriate amount of physical stress, but not too much. After the horse is in condition, it generally takes less work to maintain that conditioning.

Riders need to be familiar with their horses' resting and working heart and respiration rates and know when an animal is stressed. This is an important part of the conditioning routine to ensure that a rider is are able to anticipate the results at a P&R check in competition.

[edit] Things to bring

When packing for a competitive trail ride, the following items need to be included:

  • Horse supplies: tack, buckets, brushes
  • Horse feed, such as grain and hay
  • Personal supplies: clock, boots, and clothing, including rain gear.
  • Camping supplies: tent, sleeping bag, lantern, tarp, and other equipment.
  • Food supplies, cooking utensils, ice chest, camp stove.
  • Trailer and supplies
  • Fire extinguisher
  • first aid kit
  • Spare parts and repair supplies
  • Coggins test, veterinary certificate, brand inspection, & registration papers
  • Maps and directions
  • Trail supplies: watch, water bottles, hoof pick, knife, lead rope, halter, sponge on a string.

[edit] Competition details

There are nuances that allow competitors to obtain better scores throughout the competition that go beyond having a sound, well-conditioned horse that finishes within the given time. Horsemanship and horse care are also considered throughout the competition.

[edit] Check in and inspection

Upon arrival at the ride site, riders select a campsite to set up camp and make their horses comfortable. Then they report to Ride Secretary, who will review papers, take money, weigh in the rider and equipment, and provide each contestant with a ride packet. The ride packet contains a penny or number bib for the rider, a halter/bridle tag for the horse, and a number to be displayed on the horses stable area. Packets may also include an agenda, rider's list, and ride map. Often there are goodies, such as a piece of candy or gum, or a discount coupon

After checking in and finishing camp set up, the horse is presented to the judges. The judges will generally introduce themselves and answer any questions you might have. The Horsemanship Judge is looking for a rider who is attentive to the horse and to the Vet Judge. The Vet Judge assesses the condition of horse to establish a baseline. The horse that looks as good on Sunday as it did on Friday afternoon will score well. Blemishes, scars, and marks are noted. Points are not taken off for blemishes or minor cuts at check-in and are scored at checkout only if they are worse. The exception to this is soundness, which can be scored off at check-in, and if severe, may disqualify the horse from competition. The judge also notes if the horse will stand quietly for examination and allow its feet to be picked up, and this behavior is scored under manners on the horse's score card.

[edit] In Hand Presentations

The horse is trotted out after the veterinary exam. This is both a horsemanship and a soundness component of the competition. Within NATRC, there are two basic methods for in-hand presentations. The first is to longe, the second is to lead the horse in hand. It is the rider's option on which one to use.

Presentations using the longe require a working trot with the horse obedient to the handler's commands to stop and start as requested and to maintain a steady speed. Presentations in hand require the handler to trot one circle in each direction with the horse rather than moving the horse out on a longe line.

[edit] Calculating speed and pace

The required speed for each division (in mph) is announced at the pre-ride briefing. Ride maps are provided which show distances between key markers along the trail. Based on this information, riders calculate what time they should be at each key marker. Miles divided speed equals the time (hours plus fraction) Riders multiply the fraction by 60 to get the minutes, add the minutes to the hours and arrive at the time. There are also mileage conversion charts available for riders who need them.

[edit] Timing out

Riders at a NATRC competition leave camp one at a time with their departure time recorded. This is not a racing start; horses need to stay relatively settled and maintain a safe distance between one another. Competitors in the Open division are generally timed out first. Each competitor proceeds down the trail at the specified speed for the division entered. Riders commonly set their watch for 12:00 when they begin their ride in order to simplify their time calculations.

[edit] Judging and obstacles

At various points along the trail, judges are posted. Sometimes they observe riders traverse some natural obstacle such as a deep gully or creek, large logs across the trail, or a bridge or boggy place. Other times, they give riders specific instructions, such as to back or sidepass the horse, open and close a gate, or travel at a specified gait such as the trot or canter. Riders may be asked to complete obstacles either in-hand or under saddle.

If riders have to to wait their turn, they must keep track of the time from arrival until they are able to be judged and give this time to the judge or his/her secretary. If riders finish the trail late, this time is given back to the competitor.

Other examples of judged obstacles include:

  • Emergency stops from trot or canter.
  • Back between or around trees, uphill, or in water
  • Sidepass up to a tree, over log, or in water
  • Mount and Dismount, including offside
  • Tie a ribbon on a tree or tree limb.
  • Climb or descend a bank, hill or cliff.
  • Step or Back over a large log.

Horses and riders need to practice obstacles at home in order to build the trust and teamwork that enables them to be smooth on the trail. Any time riders are asked to something they consider unsafe, or the horse is not ready to do, it is acceptable to "pass," though the rider will loose points.

[edit] Pulse and Respiration Stops

There are generally two Pulse and Respiration (P&R) checks each day (although there may be a third at discretion of ride management). Sometimes during ride briefing, the Trailmaster will indicate on the maps where the P&R stops will be. However, at other times, they do not want to divulge this information. Experienced riders, as well as people very familiar with the trails, usually have a good idea where they will be.

The first check usually occurs between 1-2 hours after leaving camp. The second will be toward the end of the ride, often just before the 2-mile marker. It is not uncommon for a judge to give instructions to "maintain forward motion to the P&R." Riders must follow these instructions upon passing the point where they are given. This helps to assure that all horses reach the P&R in a similar elevated state of exertion.

When riders go up to the P&R checkpoint, a worker hands each person a card with the horse's number and a time on it. After 10 minutes, workers will come and check the horse's pulse and respiration. They count the number of beats & breaths for 15-sec. Points are lost for pulse and sometimes respiration over standardized limits. These vary with different organizations. Some CTR organizations do not check respiration.

At ride briefing, riders are given a "Hold" criteria by the Vet Judge. For example, the Judge might say 'Go on 16 and Hold on 17'. This means that if the horse has a pulse OR respiration rate of 17 or more, the horse is stressed and will be held at the P&R an additional 10 minutes. Holds are generally scored -5 points. If the horse still fails to meet the criteria specified by the Judge, it is held for a 2nd 10-minute period and lose another 5 points. If the horse does not recover after a 3rd hold, it is pulled from competition and arrangements are made to trailer the horse back to camp.

Note that for each Hold, 10 minutes is added to the maximum and minimum times to ensure that a horse that might be stressed is not stressed further trying to make up time.

When the P&R are done, riders need to review the card for accuracy and initial it. It is also good etiquette to wait until any adjoining horses are also done and ask permission from that rider before leaving. Having the a nearby horse leave may cause the waiting horse to become agitated and its P&R will go up, thus it is considered extremely rude for a competitor to simply leave when finished without checking in with other competitors at the P&R check.

[edit] Lunch Stops

Horses are timed into the lunch stop, when there is one, and must remain there for the time specified (generally 45 minutes). If water is available, this is a good time to offer your horse a drink and wet them down. You may remove tack or just loosen it, at your discretion. Then you will want to find a place to sit down and eat your lunch. At the end of the designated time, tighten your tack, mount, and report back to the timer to be timed back on the trail.

[edit] Return to Camp

Upon arriving back at camp, usually in the mid to late afternoon, riders report to the timer and are timed in. They return to their camping area to take care of their horse and any personal needs. After a given time, horses are again presented to the Vet Judge for a check similar to that performed at the Check-in, but sometimes adding an exam for loin soreness, tack rubs, and leg problems. The Vet Judge looks for any differences in condition and attitude from how the horse looked at check-in.

The Horsemanship Judge visits each rider's camp to ensure that each horse is being well cared for and everything is safe. Each rider must have his or her number prominently displayed where the horse is housed. Judges may answer questions from competitors at these times.

[edit] The second day

On a two-day ride, the Sunday ride will be very similar to the ride on Saturday. The vet judge is required by the rules to do a soundness check before the horses are timed out on Sunday. Sometimes this check is in hand, sometimes under saddle. It might be a trot-by, circles each way, or a figure eight. The judge will give instructions as part of Saturday's briefing.

Upon return to camp on Sunday, after checking in with the timer, riders return to camp, remove tack, and get the horse ready to present to the vet judge. This examination is very extensive. Once it is finished, competitors turn in their ride numbers.

[edit] Awards

After the judges complete the final check of all the horses, they take the cards and tally all the scores. An awards ceremony follows. Awards are given in first through sixth place in each class in each division: Open (Heavyweight, Lightweight, and Junior), Novice (Heavyweight, Lightweight, and Junior), and Competitive Pleasure. In addition, many rides give Breed Awards. These might come from the Breed Association, donations, or other. Many times, "First Time Riders" are given special recognition. And those who had especially hard luck, or were very lost, might be recognized.

Awards include ribbons, certificates, plaques, or useful "goodies" such as hoof pick, brush, or halter. In NATRC, cash is not among the prizes given. Significant awards, such as bridles, buckles, chairs, and even on occasion, saddles are given as a Sweepstakes award to the High Point Horse in Open and Novice divisions; and to the high point combination (horse and horsemanship) in Competitive Pleasure. In addition, each ride completed earns points toward year-end regional and national awards.

[edit] Horse & Rider Cards

After awards are completed, riders are given their score cards, one for the horse and one for the rider, and competitors check them for calculation errors. They are suitable to be taken home and studied, as judges are diligent in making comments and notes. These can help competitors learn how to be a better rider, what needs to be practice with the horse at home, and how to do better at the next ride.

[edit] Common scoring criteria

Typically, condition, soundness, "trail ability" and horsemanship are all scored.

Condition includes:

  • P&R Scores
  • Mucous Membrane coloration (MM), noted by Gum Color - The normal color of gums is a light pink. A whitish, dark pink, reddish-deep pink, or blue gum color is an indication of a medical issue.
  • Muscle Tone (MT)
  • Capillary Refill Time (CRT)
  • Hydration (Hyd) - checked by a pinch test done at the base of the neck close to the shoulder
  • Gut Sounds, a check for colic, overheating, and other forms of distress.
  • Movement, Attitude and Willingness (MAW)

Chronic stumbling or forging may be penalized. A horse that develops thumps, colic, dehydration, or ties up is removed from competition so that immediate medical attention can be provided.

Soundness includes:

  • Gait (Way of Going)
  • Leg or tendon soreness - Heat and/or pain may be penalized. Blemishes are noted at check-in and are generally not penalized.
  • Withers, Back, Loin or Girth (WBLG) soreness - often influenced by tack fit rider balance.
  • Edema, rubs, or inflammation at cinch, mouth, chin groove, or legs

Horses in poor physical condition or who are unsound will be pulled from competition if they fail to pass veterinary inspections or show distress at a P&R check. Some symptoms of concern include:

  • Excessively high respiration rate: If the horse does not recover appropriately at the P&R it may be pulled.
  • Lameness
  • Dehydration
  • "Tying-up"
  • Thumps - When a horse develops constant, rhythmic ticking in the flanks. In a severe case, the whole abdomen will have this ticking motion.
  • Colic

Trail Ability and Manners includes:

  • Standing quietly for examination and when a rider mounts.
  • Attention to rider, attentiveness to the trail, sure-footed and well controlled at all times.
  • Maneuverability on obstacles. Horses are to accomplish tasks quietly and be attentive to the rider.
  • Disobedience, head tossing, buddying, or refusals are penalized.
  • Exceeding time limits for obstacles is penalized.

Horsemanship criteria includes:

[edit] Electrolyte supplementation

The use of electrolyte supplementation for horses, common in endurance riding, is controversial in CTR. The need for electrolytes tends to vary greatly from horse to horse and may also be influenced by region and climate. A horse loses body water and salts through perspiration and urination, and replenishes itself by drinking water. Normally, a horse will naturally adjust the electrolyte balance in its body if given free access to salt (sodium chloride) and water, but this is not always possible during a competition.

A horse that is dehydrated has an elevated electrolyte level in its body, which should cause thirst. If a horse does not drink, giving electrolytes (by squirting a paste in the back of the horse's mouth) can further elevate the level, hence cause greater thirst, possibly inducing a reluctant horse to drink. However, giving electrolytes to a dehydrated horse can also further disturb the electrolyte balance, resulting in serious medical problems such as thumps, muscle spasms, and tying up.

If the weather is hot and humid, or horses are moving at a faster speed, horses are more likely to need supplemental electrolytes. Usually, horses that drink regularly have little need for electrolyte supplementation. Excitable, anxious horses or horses that sweat excessively for any reason may need supplementation.


[edit] See also

[edit] References


[edit] External links

[edit] CTR sanctioning bodies in North America

[edit] CTR sanctioning bodies in Europe

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