Ranch Trail

This is a brief description of our Ranch Trail class. The Ranch Trail class is designed to show your horses willingness to perform several tasks that might be asked of him during the course of a normal work day on the ranch. This class consists of 7 obstacles. Three are mandatory; 1) opening, passing through and closing a gate, 2) dragging a log and 3) dismount, ground tie, drop your bridle and re-bridle, pickup all 4 feet and remount. The horse will be judged on three gaits; the walk, trot and lope being performed between the obstacles.

• Opening and closing a gate. This can be performed several different ways. Be sure to consult your trail pattern for specifics. If you have questions or need clarification ask your event manager and/or judge prior to the class starting. The judge is unable to help you after the competition begins. When performing the gate maneuver you are not to let go of the gate at any time until you are finished. Letting go of the gate results in a penalty.
• Dragging a log. This can also be performed several different ways. Again, be sure to consult your trail pattern for specifics. If you have questions or need clarification ask your event manager and/or judge prior to the class starting.

Credit is given as to how smooth and quiet the horse performs this task.

• Dismount, unbridle & rebridle, ground tie, pick up feet and remount. This requires the horse to stand quietly while the rider dismounts, removes the bit completely from the horse's mouth, rebridles and ground ties. The rider then picks up all 4 feet and remounts all while the horse stands quietly.
  
  Credit is given as to how quiet the horse stands while you perform these functions.

Some of the other/optional obstacles may include crossing a water hazard, or a bridge, side passing over a log, carrying a slicker from one spot to another, roping a stationary steer etc.. Whenever possible, natural or realistic obstacles are encouraged.

See the NVRHA's score sheets for all 5 classes for the scoring system. The pluses and minuses as well as minor and major penalties are clearly described. For further information on this category, refer to our current Rules & Regulations, or, contact us for any clarification of this event www.nvrha.org.