Wednesday - May 16th
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Wednesday - May 16th
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FAQs
What is a Competitive Trail Challenge (CTC)?
A Competitive Trail Challenge (CTC) is a casual trail ride competition that is a 6-8 mile trail ride with judged obstacles (mostly natural) along the way. Each obstacle has its own judge. It is not a timed event. You will have a ride out time (usually within 30-60 minutes) to head out on the trail. You are encouraged to ride with your group, family, or friends. When you come to the obstacle & judge, you perform the obstacle 1 at a time. The trail rides usually take from 2-3 hours. After you come in from your ride, you can eat some lunch and be ready for the awards ceremony. Ribbons and prizes are given to 1st -6th place for each division. Jackpot cash may also be awarded. These rides provide a natural setting for your horse and are a lot of fun! At the very least you will enjoy seeing great countryside on horseback and get to know a network of horse lovin' trail riders such as yourself!
Do you have to be a member to go on a ride?
Yes. Insurance requires that anyone going on a CTC must be a member.
Where will the CTC rides be held?
EVERYWHERE!
They are held at various private ranches and state parks throughout the USA and Canada.
When will the rides take place?
CTCs are held practically every weekend across the nation. Check the RIDES & LOCATIONS tab for a list of rides and dates. This list is in real time. When a Ride Host posts a ride, you will see it listed once it is approved.
How will the events take place?
The events will take place on a 6-8 mile trail ride and will last about 2-3 hours. Riders will head out usually between 9-10 AM. This is not a timed event. Riders can head out on the trail with their group anytime during their allotted time slot. There will be 6-8 judged obstacles along the trail consisting mainly of natural origin. Obstacles on the course will include, but not limited to (check the OBSTACLES tab for more obstacle information):
What is the cost?
$58 for the adult competitive divisions, $25 for the junior division. Click here to see the FEES page for all costs.
What happens if my gaited horse cannot do the required gait in an obstacle?
ACTHA judges are trained to judge gaited horses the same as non-gaited horses. A gaited horse should do the gait of the equivalent speed for that breed of horse. Gaited horses will not be penalized, and are judged equally.
What are the divisions?
Open division: obstacles will be more difficult. Awards will be ribbons & prizes. A voluntary jackpot ($20) is available to all open riders at check-in at the ride. Jackpot participants are also eligible for Open prizes.
Pleasure division: less difficult obstacles. Awards will be ribbons & prizes. A voluntary jackpot ($10) is available to all pleasure riders at check-in at the ride. Jackpot participants are also eligible for pleasure prizes.
Junior division: 7 - 15 years old. Juniors are required to wear a helmet and be accompanied by an adult rider. One adult may supervise up to 3 junior riders and each junior must provide written authorization from their parent and or guardian consenting to same. Awards will be ribbons/prizes.
Buddy rider: A buddy rider is a rider who rides the trail following the rules just like a competitor, but does not partake in the obstacles and are not judged. A buddy rider may be a friend of a competitor, a person who wants to check out the competition before they decide to compete, someone who wants to take the opportunity to give their green horse exposure, or someone who wishes to take the opportunity to take in the scenery and enjoy a trail ride. Buddy Riders must be members of ACTHA.
How are the obstacles judged?
Each obstacle will have its own judge that can give a total of 20 points for each horse/rider team at their obstacle (10 points for the horse, 10 points for the rider). Judges are educated as to what to deduct for and have discretion as to how many points they deduct, and must remain consistent for all riders. Ties are broken by a plus system. Pluses are given for an exemplary try or performance by either horse or rider in any score range and are given at the judge's discretion. Time limits for the obstacles are assigned by the ride host and will range from 30 to 60 seconds. If the rider goes over the time limit, a score of 0 will be given to the team and the rider must move on. Scoring is as follows: 10=excellent, 9=very good, 8=good, 7=fairly good, 6=satisfactory, 5=sufficient, 4=insufficient, 3=fairly poor, 2= poor, 1=very poor, 0=not executed.
Click the OBSTACLES tab to view video and written instruction for the obstacles and what judges will be looking for.
How do I know what the judges are looking for?
Every ride starts with a briefing (gathering). You will be informed about the obstacles and what judges will be looking for. In addition, judges will be looking for a calm, willing, well controlled horse, obedient and brave. Regarding the rider, the judges will be looking for balance and non-interference. Trail riding is judged on a balanced ride. English or western riding is welcomed as well as all equines whether gaited or not. Also, general rules for good equitation apply. Videos and written obstacle instructions along with their judging criteria are available for public viewing, simply click on the OBSTACLES tab.
How will I know my score after the ride?
Placements will be awarded after the ride, but you will see the scores posted on the website once internet access is available to the Ride Host and they are able to get the scores entered, usually within a day of the ride.
How am I supposed to know what to improve on since there are no written comments given to each rider? What can I do to improve?
Since time does not always permit our judges to hand write comments on each rider, we use a numerical scoring system. If you score 8 or above, you did very well. A 5-7 is average and 1-4 is below average.
Year end awards will be awarded to the high point winner in each qualifying state for the Open, Pleasure, and Junior divisions. National high point awards will also be given to the top 10 horse & rider teams in the open division, and to the top 10 horse & rider teams in the pleasure division. The season runs from June 1, 2011 - May 31, 2012.
Click here for more information about year end awards.
How are Placement Points calculated for each horse for the Medal Awards?
Each completed CTC (no DQ) earns your horse a point. If you place in a CTC, your horse earns the following additional points:
1st place - 6 points
2nd place - 5 points
3rd place - 4 points
4th place - 3 points
5th place - 2 points
6th place - 1 point
These points will stay with your horse for its lifetime, giving him/her additional value. Our Medals program is calculated by the following:
Are ACTHA's CTCs approved by other Breed Associations?
Yes. CTCs have been approved by many other breed associations. This will allow members to receive credits for our events from their breed associations. The breed associations are posted on the PARTNERS page. Contact your breed association to find out how to gain CTC credits.
Will a ride ever be canceled?
A ride will be canceled if extreme weather warrants it making hauling and trail riding unsafe. If a Ride Host determines that the weather is unsafe for the ride to be conducted, the Ride Host will contact all riders. If you are unsure whether or not the ride may be canceled, we strongly suggest you CALL BEFORE YOU HAUL! All Ride Hosts' phone numbers are listed on every Ride Description page.
What is ACTHA's refund policy?
Membership Fees: ACTHA membership fees have a money back guarantee within the first week after your first ride. Otherwise, membership fees are non-refundable.
Ride Registration Fees:
(1) If you withdraw from a ride eight (8) or more days prior to the ride date, a full online credit will be issued to your ACTHA account. You must contact the Ride Host regarding your withdrawal.
(2) If you withdraw from a ride seven (7) days or less prior to the ride date and prior to the closing date for registration, there is no issuance of a credit or refund, unless authorized by the Ride Host. You must contact the Ride Host to discuss the circumstances of your withdrawal. If the Ride Host accepts the explanation for your withdrawal a full online credit will be issued to your ACTHA account.
(3) If you withdraw from a ride after the closing date for registration there is no issuance of credit or refunds.
(4) If a ride is canceled by the Ride Host or by ACTHA for any reason whatsoever, a full online credit will be issued to all riders.
Refund Requests:
(1) A $5.00 processing fee will be charged should you request a credit card refund in lieu of a ride credit to your ACTHA account.
(2) In the event the Ride Host or ACTHA has canceled the ride and you request a credit card refund, a full credit card refund of registration fees will be issued when requested through Customer Support.
Let's have fun!!! Additional contests at a CTC may include:
Best groomed mount
Best dressed male rider
Best dressed female rider
Best dog contest