Trail Trials Clinic with Carlena Kellogg

Yesterday Cupid and I took the opportunity to learn about the sport of trail trials, which is typically an about 5 mile trail ride where you are judged on about 10-12 obstacles which should be of the type you might naturally encounter on a trail ride.  Generally you go in groups of 4 (you can come with a group, or form one there), and take turns going through the obstacles.  There are 3 levels: novice, intermediate, and advanced, but your group can be mixed as the obstacles are in the same place for each group.  There are actually only 2 options for the obstacles, as the intermediate group does half novice obstacles and half advanced.  Generally you walk in between obstacles, and you are not judged.  You can unmount in between if you need to.  You can ride in either english or western tack, and you can be bitless.  You are required to carry a knife and hoofpick on your person (not in a saddle bag).  Most riders also bring water and snacks.

The first obstacle we worked on was a drag - dragging something tied to a rope.  We had, for increasing levels of difficulty: nylon bags with filling, a paper bag with a bell, tire slices, and a log.  Before trying a drag you want to make sure your horse is okay with ropes around him and touching his legs, which Cupid is fine with.  You can start by following someone else's drag, since sometimes then a horse is more curious instead of fearful.  Then lead your horse and hold the item in your other hand, off the ground.  Then hold the rope just long enough for it to touch the ground, then gradually let out the rope.  When leading you want to be in between the horse and the drag item, and always turn with the horse on the outside.

For Cupid and me, it went well when I was on Cupid's left side but not as good from the right - even though he's generally fine with me leading from the right.  Carlena's tips for me were to hold the rope further from the snap, and with some slack; and also to quit looking at Cupid.  (Which is a problem I have while riding too, always looking down at him!)  We ended up only doing this from the ground, but if you do it from the saddle you need to sit up straight and want to have your hand that you're holding the rope with resting on your thigh.

For a competition, you approach the judge and announce your level and rider number.  Then the judge reads the instructions for your level.  For the drag, and certain other obstacles like if you need to dismount and mount, you need to first show the judge (from the saddle) that you check your girth/cinch to make sure it's tight enough and if you have a breastcollar you check that too.  The instructions will tell you which side you need to drag the object and where to.  Then you drop the rope, thank the judge, and proceed (or wait for the rest of your group.)

The next thing we worked on was sending - which means asking the horse to move his feet without moving yours.  In a trail trial competition this is often tested by having a rock or stump you ride up to and dismount onto, then send the horse around the object, ask him to halt, and get back on - sometimes from the right side.  Unlike in dressage you are allowed to cluck or use voice commands.  You should not use the rope or extend your arm to the lead the horse.  Cupid and I have done some of this during our regular groundwork so it went pretty good - but when halting he usually turns in to me which won't really work if I need to remount.  Plus I am not really used to dismounting onto something and worry my aim might be off!

For competition purposes you need to secure your reins, and use your lead rope (horse wears halter under bridle) for sending.  Carlena was not sure how you secure your reins if riding English, so that is something I will need to look up if I do an actual competition.

Practicing sending

Next we ventured out to the obstacle course, which was pretty cool.  There were a lot of log configurations, like a sundial, alternating raised poles, and singles or parallel.  There were a few bridges and wood boxes, and I think I saw a see-saw but we didn't check that out.  For a competition you always want to step over a pole, no jumping.  Cupid was good with the singles, but on some of the more complex designs he did occasionally duck out or jump over. 

Sending around a log

Playing at the obstacle course

I didn't stay for the after lunch portion, unfortunately, when they worked on backing and pulling - which is when an object on a rope is in front of you, and you back your horse either dragging the object or hoisting it up if it's on a pulley.  But I enjoyed continuing to build my partnership with Cupid, and also learning about a fun new sport we may try!

Updating to add some additional trail trial tips so I don't forget and if anyone else wants to learn.  Safety is a big consideration, and the rules are generally intended to promote safety.
- For the drag, you want any excess loop / end of your reins on the opposite side as the drag rope.
- Points are bad!  If you negotiate an obstacle correctly you get zero, any points are penalties.
- After the third refusal at an obstable you get the maximum 24 penalties for that obstacle, and then you move on to the next one.  A refusal includes stopping forward motion or backing up, unless that is in the instructions for the obstacle.
- You need to maintain "balance in the saddle" and can get penalties if you lean excessively while negotiating an obstacle (either a true loss of balance or for sloppily trying to execute, instead of properly lining up your horse with an additional step for instance)