What is a Competitive Trail Challenge (CTC)?
A Competitive Trail Challenge (CTC) is a trail ride competition that is a 6-10 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 is also 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!
Where will the CTC rides be held?
EVERYWHERE!
They will be held at various private ranches and state parks throughout the USA.
When will the rides take place?
Check the RIDES & LOCATIONS tab for the rides and dates. We will be updating it throughout the year as affiliates join us and add even more rides.
How will the events take place?
The events will take place on a 6-10 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 6-10 judged obstacles along the trail consisting mainly of natural origin. Obstacles on the course will include, but not limited to (check the OBSTACLES link for more obstacle information):
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- crossing streams
crossing bridges
riding up/down steep hills
backing around obstacles
dragging a log
opening/closing gates
jumping over a low log
riding through vine styled obstacles
trotting over spaced logs
stand in position while a loud noise is present
walk on/around plastic tarp/bags
trot/canter from point A to point B
TO KEEP AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD, PARTICIPANTS MAY NOT RIDE THE TRAIL OR PRACTICE ON THE OBSTACLES IN A GIVEN COMPETITION AFTER THE OBSTACLES HAVE BEEN SET.
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 and may change divisions as often as they wish.
How are the obstacles judged?
Each obstacle will have a judge that will give a total of 20 points for each horse/rider team at their obstacle. 10 points for the horse, 10 points for the rider. Ties are broken by a plus system. Pluses are given for an exemplary try by either horse or rider in any score range. Time limits for the obstacles are assigned by the ride manager 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.
The judging criteria 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?
We set up a briefing (gathering) at the beginning of each ride. The ride manager or the judges will tell you about the obstacles and what they 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 are available for public viewing, simply click on the OBSTACLES tab.
How will I know my score after the ride?
You will see the rides posted on the website once internet access is available to the affiliate and able to enter the scores, 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.
>Read what judges will be looking for in the OBSTACLES tab.
>ACTHA Trail Tips are available and very helpful. Check them out here.
>Lessons and clinics are helpful.
YEAR-END AWARDS WILL AWARD UP TO A TOTAL OF $50,000 TO REGIONAL HIGH POINT WINNERS. The season runs from June 1, 2010 - May 31, 2011.
Rules for Regional High Point Rider
5 points total to highest point "rider" score per competition in each ride.
4 points total for second highest rider score
3 points total for 3rd highest rider score
Otherwise:
1 point for no "rider" zeros on score card
1 point for attending, no DQ.
These points are not considered for horse & rider team, but for the rider only. Only the rider's score from the CTC is considered. Rider pluses will be used to break ties. In event of ties for rider score inclusive of pluses, each contestant is awarded the full points that his/her placing calls for. For example if 3 riders tie for 3rd and 2 tie for 1st ; every rider gets the total points called for. So each '1st place rider' gets 5 points and each '3rd place rider' gets 3 points, etc.
All regional awards will be based on rider's performance in the region where the ride is being held. There are 5 regions as listed in the rides and dates section of the web site and available for public viewing.
Winnings:
$5000 Total per region (if more than one winner, pot is divided accordingly). Money is doubled if the horse wears Cavallo Boots to CTCs.
Click here for more information about year end awards.
How are Placement Points calculated for each horse in medal standings?
Each completed CTC 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 Medal Standings program is calculated by the following:
Bronze - 50 placement points - horse receives a bronze medal; rider receives an ACTHA vest
Silver - 100 placement points - horse receives a silver medal; rider receives an ACTHA coat
Gold - 150 placement points - horse receives a gold medal; rider receives an ACTHA pair of chinks
Stay tuned for more medal awards....
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 front page of the website. Contact your breed association to find out how to gain CTC credits.
Will a ride ever be cancelled?
The only time a ride will be cancelled is if there is an ice storm (or low temps with rain), day(s) of heavy rain, or a tornado. We can delay a ride for lightning or periodic heavy rain. If it is lightly raining, put your slickers on and head out! If there is too much rain making the trail unsafe, we will conduct a competition close to camp with a horse show format, if the facilities are available. If not, the ride will be rescheduled.
**** CALL BEFORE YOU HAUL!**** ALL AFFILIATE/ LOCAL RIDE MANAGEMENT'S PHONE NUMBERS ARE LISTED ON EVERY RIDE DESCRIPTION PAGE
What is the cancellation policy?
ACTHA Association fees are non-refundable.
If you signed up for a ride and need to cancel, a full online credit to your account is available up to 1 week of the ride date. Refunds will be granted with a minimum $15 cancellation fee up to 1 week of the ride date and must be requested by emailing ACTHA (support@actha.us or actha@actha.us). No refunds or credits will be issued for any cancellations received within 1 week of the ride date.
**To cancel yourself from a ride, click on 'manage my rides', select your ride and click on the trash can icon next to your name.
If ride is cancelled by management for any reason a full credit/refund of entry fees will be given automatically.
Let's have fun!!! Additional contests at a CTC may include:
best groomed horse
best dressed male rider
best dressed female rider
best dog contest
FAQ
