Wednesday - May 16th

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ACTHA: obstacles

Affiliates must choose from this menu of obstacles. They may combine elements of the obstacles to create an obstacle. If an affiliate wants to use an obstacle that is not on this list, they may do so with ACTHA approval.

Affiliates may use their imagination in creating interesting situations that may occur on trail using these obstacles. An example would be when judging the mount obstacle, the competitor may be asked to pick up a 'wounded animal', place the 'wounded animal' on their saddle, remount, and ride off. This is actually a mount obstacle. However, the situation with the 'injured animal' is an imagined scenario that shows how this obstacle applies to a real life situation.

Another example would be placing a 'fake snake' on a log and having the horses stop before crossing the log and side pass around the obstacle. This obstacle is the combination of a stop and a side pass. The snake demonstrates the real life situation that could cause the use of these skills.

Judges are given individual discretion in deducting points for their obstacle, depending on the severity of the terrain and the obstacle. Judges score their obstacle consistently, albeit some judges are more lenient, and some judges are more severe. As long as they are consistent for every competitor, the judging is considered impartial.

Check the obstacle list often, as the obstacles may be updated from time to time.

CLICK HERE to see what an obstacle sheet will look like at a CTC event.

Click on names below to view more information.

Animal on the Run

Description

A fake animal is to be put on a fishing line and pulled across the trail in front of the horse. The horse is to stand still in a designated circle on the ground.

BACK

Description

Rider will be asked to back their horse.

Options

  • back up a hill
  • back down a small incline (never anything steep)
  • back over a pole on the ground
  • back a figure 8 around 2 trees

Videos

BANK (Down an Embankment)

Description

Rider will be asked to take horse down an embankment.

Videos

BANK (Up an Embankment)

Description

Rider will be asked to take horse up an embankment.
Embankment should be no higher than a barrel on its side.

Options

  • Execute at a walk, trot or canter (FOR OPEN ONLY extreme and not recommended).

Videos

BARREL BOARD PIN WHEEL

Description

Two barrels spaced apart with a board laid across them and a rope handle on one end of the board.
Rider to approach outside barrel and pick up handle end.
Proceed to ride a circle replacing the board to its original position.

Videos

BRIDGE

Description

All horses must walk over the bridge.
For safety, horses MUST NOT be asked to trot over any bridge or slick surface.

Options

  • stop after bridge
  • back off bridge
  • stop in the middle of bridge
  • pick up something that is on the bridge, or place something on the bridge
  • dismount and walk over bridge safely and quietly

Videos

CANTER (lope)

Description

Rider may be asked to canter their horse in a straight line on either lead.
Rider may be asked for to canter in a circle on the correct lead.

Options

  • Open division may be asked to hand gallop to show athleticism of horse and rider. A noticeable change of speed must be observed for a high score, yet horse must remain in control.
  • Plr/Jr - may ask for a change of direction with a simple change (drop to trot).

Videos

Close Encounters

Description

Riders will encounter a biker or hiker on trail, and the contestant must safely ride past the hiker/biker.

Options

  • An unusual animal such as a llama may be used (affiliate choice of animal) ** Note CONTESTANT MAY NOT TOUCH OR ENGAGE WITH ANIMAL
  • Open Division- the biker or hiker will be moving toward the horse and pass the horse.
  • Pleasure/Jr Div.- the hiker or biker will be standing still as the horse passes.

DISMOUNT

Description

Rider will be asked to dismount their horse in a safe manner.

Options

  • Riders may be asked to pick up a horse`s front foot, as if a stone were to be removed.
  • Riders may be asked to produce a hoof pick or leatherman tool for a plus.
  • Emergency dismount - rider dismounts quickly as horse comes to a stop. Both feet should hit the ground simultaneously facing forward (running if necessary).
  • Off side dismount

Videos

DON'T SPRAY ME!

Description

Affiliates are to have enough water and spray bottles to accommodate their riders. Riders may spray themselves if desired. Riders are to dismount and lead their horses properly, approximately 6 big steps to a table with spray bottles filled with water. Contestants are to spray their horses on each side.

Options

  • Spray your horse 3 times on his shoulder and legs on each side (pleasure, junior)
  • Emergency dismount - jumping from horse, with both stirrups kicked free, facing forward, holding a rein (open)
  • Spray your horse 4 times on each side of his neck. One spray should be near his head. (open)

DOWNHILL

Description

Rider will be asked to ride their horse downhill.
Backing downhill is not allowed.

Options

  • transition to a stop
  • step over a pole
  • straddle a pole
  • traverse (zig zag) around cones, markers or bags (open div)

DRAG

Description

Drag log (or something similar) that is not too heavy in a straight line from point A to point B. Next horse can go from B to A to keep things moving. Western riders are to wrap rope one turn toward their belt buckle, keeping their thumb up and out of the way. Rope should release immediately upon rider release. English or saddles without a horn- rider can hold rope in a figure 8 in their hand, they must be able to drop rope and NOT COIL IT AROUND THEIR HAND. A nylon or cotton rope must be used similar in thickness to a horse lead rope. This rope will not inflict injury on human or horse.

Options

  • Open Div. - drag plastic bag with cans.
  • Open Div.-move horse in two directions, pulling away, and facing the object.
  • Pl/Jr. Div. - Use small log or branch.
  • Pl/Jr. Div.- pull object in one direction only

Videos

GATE

Description

Team ride to gate ride up parallel to gate and stand quietly, open gate in any manner in which the gate swings (unless specified by the affiliate) and walk horse through opening turn horse and side pass to close gate.

Options

  • (pl/jr) may open gate only
  • (open) back through gate
  • (open) step over pole under gate
  • (open) side pass from marker to gate
  • (open) hang plastic bag on gate

Videos

HAT PICK UP

Description

The judge will toss a hat on the ground near the horse, and hand the rider a stick and ask the rider to retrieve the hat from the back of the horse.
This is meant to be a FUN obstacle.

Options

  • Open division may be asked to pick up a different type of hat or a hat with bright colors.
  • Seasonal decor is permissible (Santa hat at Christmas time, for example).
  • Judge may ask to see emergency equipment such as knife, hoof pick, halter, and lead rope
  • Judge may ask questions such as, "What type of bit are you using and why?" (Same for hackamore); 30 second extension of time given if needed for questions.

Videos

JUMP

Description

The horse is to jump over a natural log no higher than a barrel lying on its side (18inches).
The log should be bordered by trees or cones to aid the horse, or to be of sufficient length to make it appealing to jump.

Options

  • Plr/Jr- approach at a walk or trot (they may canter if they feel comfortable doing so, but not suggested).
  • Open division - approach at a canter.

Videos

L-BACK

Description

Rider will be asked to back horse through an 'L' shaped obstacle.

Options

  • Plr/Jr Div. may be asked to back the straight portion of the 'L' only and then walk forward exiting the obstacle.

Videos

MAILBOX

Description

This is meant to be a FUN obstacle. Horse and rider must quietly approach a box and open to remove contents.

Options

  • Open division may side pass to box.
  • Treats for horse or rider

MOUNT

Description

Rider will be asked to mount their horse in a safe manner.

Options

  • Off side mount (mounting from the right side), use of log or any mounting aid is appropriate
  • Have horse straddle log and mount from log (open)
  • Have horse stand in ditch while rider mounts
  • Injured animal - Open division. Using a stuffed animal on the ground, the rider is to dismount and pick up the animal as if it were real. Place the animal over the horse in front of the saddle and remount without dropping the animal.
  • Rider mounts with a pretend broken right arm with the use of a mounting log.

Videos

NOISE CONTROL

Description

The horse should stand quietly in a box or circle as a noise goes off (the noise should be something that is common in this day and age: pop or crack, siren, bell, alarm, squeaky windmill, etc.

Options

  • Open division - a louder noise can be used.

POLES (Cavalettis)

Description

We suggest 3-6 poles 2ft. 8in. to 3ft.6in apart for a trot, 11' for a canter/lope; distance may be changed at management discretion. Deadfall - falls in a forest in an unpredictable fashion.

Options

  • in-hand- lead horse over the poles
  • raise poles 6 inches off the ground
  • uneven spacing
  • lay a cross pole diagonally
  • log jumble
  • stop between poles
  • straddle mid-pole
  • stop before last pole
  • straddle last pole and side pass off the pole (right or left)

Videos

SIDE PASS

Description

A correct side pass is a lateral move.
The horse moves sideways, moving his hips and shoulders at the same time.
If the horse is moving to the left his right front foot should cross over in front of his left and vice versa.

Videos

SLICKER (raincoat)

Description

Rider will maneuver a raincoat while mounted on the horse.

Options

  • OPEN DIV.-Remove the slicker from a post and put it on/off.
  • PLEASURE DIV. - Lift slicker off post and slide slicker on each side of horse in front of saddle and or behind the saddle.

Spanish Pole

Description

A light weight pole, long straight branch, or light tree trunk stripped of branches. This simulates a tree that has fallen across a trail and can be moved by a rider.(Many Spanish speaking countries use a long pole from horseback to move and control livestock.) Place a light weight pole upright against a standing tree without low branches. The pole should form a triangle with the ground. The rider is to ride under the pole with their horse lifting the pole slightly as they pass under. Rider should then pivot their horse's hind end (turn on the forehand) and place the leaning pole back in its original position. This should demonstrate control of the horse, and the ability to move an obstruction from the trail on horseback This obstacle should be done at a walk only.

Options

  • To increase the difficulty for the open division, an "X" may be set up between two trees, and the rider must guide his horse under both poles.

STOP

Description

Rider will be asked to bring their horse to a stop.

Options

  • Open may canter or gallop to a stop.
  • Pleasure/junior divisions may transition to a stop.

TARP

Description

The horse is to cross the tarp as instructed.

Options

  • Water can be simulated by the use of a tarp, rocks and a hose to create the impression of flowing water.
  • Simulated wildlife or flowers may be added to create a "Do not disturb the wildlife" obstacle (do not step on the wildlife while crossing the tarp). Penalty given for stepping on the wildlife.

THE LABYRINTH

Description

A box (maze) made by arranging poles in a square, with an opening at the top and the bottom. There will be two poles in the middle, one extending from the right side and one extending from the left side. Horses must weave through the maze by backing through it or walking through it.

Options

  • Jog through the maze (open)
  • Back through the maze (open)
  • Move forward through the maze (pleasure, junior)

TROT TRANSITIONS

Description

Rider will be asked to transition from an extended posting trot to a sitting trot, or vice versa.

Options

  • Ask for trot transitions while weaving in and out of trees.
  • Ask for a figure 8, with a change of diagonal.

TROT WEAVE

Description

Horse & rider team is to weave (walk, trot only) through poles, barrels, trees, etc.

Videos

TURN ON HAUNCHES, FOREHAND AND 360`S

Description

Horse is to maneuver in a circular pattern.

Videos

UPHILL

Description

Rider will be asked to ride their horse uphill.

Options

  • Lay a pole on the ground - horse must stop before pole (transition to a stop) then proceed, crossing the pole.
  • Horse must straddle a pole on the ground (front feet over the pole).
  • Traverse (zig zag) uphill around cones or plastic bags filled with something to keep them in place.
  • Open Div. - may gallop up a hill (only on a moderate uphill with good footing).
  • Transition of gait may be asked at any point on hill or at top; transitions should appear effortless and subtle for a high score.

VINE SIMULATOR

Description

Rider will be asked to ride horse through brush (or anything simulating dangling vines).

Options

  • Back through
  • Open division may trot or canter through.

Videos

WATER OBSTACLE

Description

The horse is to cross or enter the water as instructed.

Options

  • Open div. may be asked to enter the water at a greater speed than a walk (trot preferred).
  • Water can be simulated by the use of a tarp, rocks and a hose to create the impression of flowing water.
  • Open div. may be asked to step off a bank into the water.
  • Open div. may back into the water.

Videos

WILDLIFE BOX

Description

Create a 12 foot square box using logs or poles. In the center of the box place flowers and simulated wildlife. The contestants are to enter the box from one direction and turn a 360 degree turn around the wildlife without touching the wildlife ( do not disturb the wildlife ) They will exit the box in the opposite direction from the entrance ( example : if they entered from the South they will exit on the North) Horses will be penalized for stepping on the rails or the simulated wildlife.