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 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, eat some lunch and be ready for the awards ceremony. Cash and prizes are given to 1st -6th place for each division.

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?

They will be held at various private ranches and state parks throughout the USA.

When will the rides take place?

EVERYWHERE!

Check the ride calendar page 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 between 9:00am and 10:00am. This is not a timed event. Riders can head out on trail with their group anytime during their allotted time slot. There will be 6-10 judged obstacles along the trail consisting mainly of natural occurring terrain. Obstacles on the course will include, but not limited to:

CONTESTANTS MAY NOT RIDE THE TRAIL OR DO THE OBSTACLES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN SET ON TRAIL PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL COMPETITION.

	crossing streams
	crossing bridges
	riding up/down steep hills
	backing down and around obstacles
	dragging a log
	opening/closing gates
	jumping over a log
	riding through a carwash style obstacle (vines)
	trotting over spaced logs
	stand in position while a loud noise is present
	walk around plastic tarp/bags
	trot/canter from point A to point B
	getting off your horse, put on rain gear, mount, ride to post, take off rain gear and hang up

What are the divisions?

Open division: obstacles will be more difficult. Awards will be cash, ribbons & prizes.

Pleasure division: less difficult obstacles. Awards will be ribbons & prizes.

Junior division: 7 - 15 years old. We figure if you're old enough to drive, you're no longer considered a junior. Juniors are required to wear a helmet and be accompanied by their guardian. 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. A buddy rider may be a friend of a competitor, a person who wants to check out the competition before they decide to compete, or someone who wants to take the opportunity to give their green horse exposure.

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 job by either horse or rider. 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 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= bad, 1=very bad, 0=not executed.

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. In the rider, the judges will be looking for balance and non-interference. Trail riding is judged on a balanced ride, and not of any particular riding discipline. Also, general rules for good equitation apply such as heels below toes, etc.

Once you become a member, there is an OBSTACLES button that displays all of our obstacles with video and a description of what a judge will be looking for at that obstacle.

How will I know my score after the ride?

If internet is available at the ride, the scores will be printed and displayed on a few poster boards. They will show the scores for each rider at each obstacle. Otherwise, you will see the rides posted on the website once internet access is available to enter the scores.

How am I supposed to know what to improve on since there are no written comments given to each rider?

Since time does not 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.

What can I do to improve?

You can attend clinics, consult with trainers, take lessons. There are trail riding DVDs from Craig Cameron, Clinton Anderson and Chris Cox that are very helpful and informative. RFD-TV broadcasts several of their TV series. We will be hosting clinics with our rides when circumstances permit and if there is enough interest.

2009-2010 season will give $25,000 for riders' high point year end awards:

Rules for High Point Rider- National and Regional

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

1 point for no "rider" zeros on score card

1 point for attending.

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 and 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.

All regional awards will be based on rider's performance in their "region". There are 5 regions, (to be listed).

The National Award will go to the highest accumulated points from all rides in the nation, both in and out of region rides count for the national.

Winnings

$2500 Total per region (if more than one winner, pot is divided accordingly).

Up to $10,000 to National High Point (if more than one winner, pot is divided accordingly). If National High Point winner is also a regional winner their total winnings will not exceed $10,000.

$5000 to a National horse charity as selected by a vote from ACTHA's membership! Award to be made by ACTHA and its members on behalf of the high point national winner.

How are Placement Points calculated for each horse?

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 recieves an ACTHA vest

Silver - 100 placement points - horse receives a silver medal; rider receives an ACTHA coat

Gold - 150 placement pointsm - horse receives a gold medal; rider receives an ACTHA pair of chinks

Is CTC a Paint Alternative Competition (PAC) affiliate?

Yes. CTC has been approved by the American Paint Horse Association for the PAC program for the 2008-2009 season. This will allow PAC members to receive APHA national credits for our events.

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 to make the trail unsafe, we will conduct a competition close to camp with a horseshow format, if the facilities are available. If not, the ride will be rescheduled.

What is the cancellation policy?

	If you signed up for a ride, and paid with a credit card, you can delete yourself off of the ride list up until registration for that ride is closed (usually 2 days before the ride). This will credit your account, but not your charge card. You can apply this credit towards your next ride. If you signed up for a ride, and did not pay with your credit card, you can delete yourself off of the ride list up until registration for that ride is closed (usually 2 days before the ride). This will credit your account and your charges will be balanced out.
	No show – no refund (you did take someone else's spot)
	If ride is cancelled by management – full refund

Some Rules:

	fall of horse/rider is a disqualification - you will be on the honor system.
	horse must finish ride with a sound trot.
	all juniors (15 & under) must be accompanied by their guardian and wear a helmet.
	all dogs must be on a leash at all times.
	current Coggins test required (if state law).
	rider should have the following on them during the trail ride: lead rope, halter, hoof pick, knife, and drinking water.
	no standing martingale/tie-downs allowed on ride; no training devices of any kind.
	stallions have to be double tied and display a yellow ribbon in tail.
	horses may wear protective boots.
	no bare back pads.
	horses must wear any type of bridle or hackamore.
	rider may dismount at any time during the ride, but must remain mounted when moving forward.
	if you win the pleasure division 3 times in a season, you must move up to the open division the next season.
	'ponying' will not be allowed during the competition.
	horses can be tied to trailers, trees, pole fences only.
	any excessive force or unsportsmanlike conduct is subject to disqualification.
	Use of drugs on horses for any reason is prohibited.
	management reserves the right to refuse entry or disqualify participants.

Let's have fun!!!

These are some other awards that may be given, but not limited to:

	best groomed horse
	best dressed male rider
	best dressed female rider
	best dog contest