The ranch trail class should test the horse’s ability to cope with situations encountered while being ridden through a pattern of obstacles generally found during the course of everyday ranch work, the horse/rider team is judged on the correctness, efficiency and pattern accuracy with which the obstacles are negotiated and the attitude and mannerisms exhibited by the horse. Judging emphasis on identifying the well broke responsive and well mannered horse which can correctly navigate and negotiate the course.

The ranch trail course will include no less than six and no more than nine obstacles. Three of which are mandatory.  It is mandatory that the horse be asked to walk, trot, and lope during the course. Walk can be part of the obstacle score or be scored with the approaching obstacle. Trot must be at least 35 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Lope must be lead specific, at least 50 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Care must be exercised to avoid setting up any obstacle that may be hazardous to the horse or rider.

When setting courses, management will be mindful that the idea is not to trap a horse/rider team or eliminate it by making an obstacle too difficult. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind so as to reduce the risk for accidents. The show committee shall have the option of setting up the trail course to best fit the arena conditions. An outdoor course is recommended if appropriate terrain is available. Each single performance event can be time consuming, especially with large classes, so it is imperative that time restrictions are placed on this class. The show committee, either through a pilot run or estimation, shall select a course that has a continuous and positive flow that can be negotiated in four minutes or less.

Judges must walk the course and have the right and duty to alter the course if it is not in keeping with the intent of the class. Judges may remove or change any obstacles they deem unsafe, non-negotiable or unnecessarily difficult. Any time a trail obstacle becomes unsafe during a class; it shall be repaired or removed from the course. If the obstacle cannot be repaired and some horses have completed the original course, the score for that obstacle will be deducted from all previous draws in that class.

The course must be designed using the mandatory obstacles and maneuver plus optional obstacles. Combining two or more of the obstacles is acceptable.

For more information see Rule Book.