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TRAIL TRIALS QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
Copyright 1995 Phetsy Calderon
All Rights Reserved
This file provides information about Trail Trials as conducted by the
California State Horsemen's Association TT Program in North Central
California.
In Southern California, TTs are also offered by Equestrian Trails,
Incorporated (ETI). This document does not cover ETI TTs.
Trail Trials are sometimes called "judged pleasure rides" in other areas
of the U.S. Neither TTs nor judged pleasure rides should be confused with
competitive trail rides as conducted by NATRC and other groups.
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Q. Just what is "Trail Trials?"
A. Simply put, a Trail Trials ride, or TT, is a judged obstacle ride. You
cover a marked course that includes several standard obstacles. There's
a judge at each obstacle who compares the way you and your horse meet
the obstacle with a standard. The main criteria are safety and common
sense. There are no time or pacing requirements, and you are only
judged while negotiating obstacles.
All obstacles must be ones that might naturally occur on the trail. That
doesn't mean they're humdrum-you may not have to cross blue tarps,
but you might find yourself riding through a birthday party complete
with cake, balloons, playing kids, and a European visitor who wants to
take your picture, or passing a mule with rattling, hardside panniers.
Q. Does it take special training?
A. TT requires the essential training that's a part of all riding disci-
plines. Are you teaching your horse to sidepass? Does he know how to
back up? Can you ask him for collection? Does he know how to pivot on
either his haunches or forehand? Will he stand when tied? Have you
ever ridden down a trail and crossed a creek or a bridge?
Whether your main equine interest is cutting or dressage, jumping or
reining, Park Pleasure or gymkhana, you're already teaching your
horse most of what he needs to know for TT.
Q. What about special equipment?
A. The only equipment you need for TT is just what you'd use for a
normal day's ride. Every horse must wear a saddle, saddle blanket, and
bridle. "Bridle" includes hackamores, hackamore bits, and sidepulls.
You must carry a hoofpick at all times, and a means of leading your
horse other than his bridle. This can be a separate halter and leadrope,
a halter-bridle, or your bosal mecate.
You'll need to wear any clothing that's appropriate for riding. Helmets
and boots or riding shoes are recommended.
Q. Who is eligible to participate?
A. There's a competition category for every rider in TT, from Juniors
to Jack Benny's, from people going on their first trail rides to people
who log thousands of hours a yearon the trails.
The Advanced category is for seasoned riders and horses-or those who
enjoy more challenging rides. The Novice category lets newcomers get a
feel for the program on shorter trails without some of the more demand-
ing Advanced obstacles. Novice courses are, generally, 5-7
miles long, with 8-12 obstacles. Advanced courses are typically10-15
miles, with 10-15 obstacles. Advanced courses sometimes cover more
technical terrain.
Within each category are divisions based on rider's age; typical divis-
ions are 13 and under; 14 -17; 18 -38; and 39 and over.
Q. What kind of horse should I have?
A. The one you've got right now. The CSHA TT program encourages the
participation of all equines, whether horse, mule, pony, or zebra. No
single breed has a lock on alertness, steadiness, and balance, and those
are the qualities that make a TT horse. Every horse is descended from
ancestors who spent their lives roaming. Any modern horse can make
use of that ancestral legacy as a working trail horse.
Q. How do I get started in Trail Trials?
A. Use this link: http://www.californiastatehorsemen.com/trailtrials.htm
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This file may be distributed electronically, provided that it contains
this notice and that the contents are exactly duplicated for any such
distribution . Printing this information as part of a newsletter,
magazine, or other publication, is specifically prohibited without
written permission of the copyright holder. Permission to reproduce
this file may be obtained from the copyright holder, Phetsy Calderon.
Phetsy Calloway-Calderon phetsy@earthlink.net
Death before dishonor; nothing before coffee.
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