Overview on Judging
Judges: Judges must be a knowledgeable horseman or horsewoman, and certified by the IMTCA under the Trail Challenge Judges Program.
Leading: Horse is to follow willingly, not lagging or crowding. Horse must be led by a lead rope.
When competing In-Hand, center may vary based on if the equine is sent over an obstacle, or if the Handler leads in front of, or next to, the equine. The obstacle is still split in thirds to visualize center.
An equine sent over the obstacle should be centered.
An equine following the Handler over the obstacle should be centered.
If the Handler is side by side on the obstacle with the equine, center is between them
The Handler may either send or lead the horse through the obstacle unless specified on the course pattern. The Handler may be on either side or in front of the horse, changing sides during the pattern is acceptable with no break of gait. Stopping to change sides will be penalized as a break of gait.
No penalty is given for a hesitation on entry to acknowledge the obstacle, not to exceed 3-seconds.
Points for Each Obstacle: We start with a score of 70 points and add or take away. The point system we developed allows the spectators and competitors to understand how the judging takes place. It’s also great fun for everyone to score along and see how the competitors are doing as they go. The same criteria are applied to each obstacle whether a bridge, gate, trench, water, logs, rocks etc. The judges will make assessments for the following basic standard maneuvers: each obstacle has a value of 9. This gives a foundation for scoring and or a deduction if an obstacle is not attempted or faults. If a horse steps out or off an obstacle resulting in -5 body, it’s acceptable for the team to re-enter the obstacle and achieve the exit points. They cannot regain the body points. Each judge may award up to 5 points for horsemanship.
JUDGING MOUNTAIN TRAIL AND TRAIL CHALLENGE
Entry into the obstacle is worth 2 points. If correct a 0 is given. Navigating through the obstacle is worth 5 points. If correct a 0 is given. Exit from the obstacle is worth 2 points. If correct a 0 is given. Wow If the horse and rider navigated the obstacle such that a judge’s only words were “Wow” then up to an extra 3 points can be added +1 point for entry, +1 point for body, +1 point for exit.
Entry: Two points are given (which = 0) if the horse enters the obstacle straight, acknowledges the obstacle and maintains forward motion in an alert and willing manner. A horse has up to 3 seconds to examine the obstacle before entry with no penalty. After 3 seconds it will be counted as a refusal and lack of forward motion. Wow Plus 1/2 to 1 point: A horse walks up to the obstacle straight is attentive and acknowledges an obstacle in a bold, confident, willing manner, and enters the obstacle without breaking gait.
Navigating: Five points are given (which = 0) if the horse picks its way through in a willing, confident, bold and safe manner without stumbles, clicks, or breaks in gate. Wow Plus 1/2 to 1: The horse navigates the obstacle in a safe, confident, bold, and willing manner which is a pleasure to watch.
Exit: Two points are given (which = 0) if the horse exits at the same speed that it entered and is straight and on course. Wow Plus 1/2 to 1: The horse is attentive and acknowledges the exit, walking out in a collected manner.
DEDUCTIONS
Entry Deductions:
-
-1/2 to -1 Point: Tic. Slight change of pace. Slightly off center. Horse crooked, not straight with two or three feet.
-
-1 point: Horse crooked, does not enter an obstacle straight, all four feet. Is not willing and/or breaks forward motion with a pause longer than 3 seconds. (“stop” is a break of forward motion longer than 3 seconds on entry only.) Does not enter the obstacle centered. Hops in or out (a hop is two front feet walk in or out and then lightly jumps out, a hop will not result in a deduction if due to the horse’s size in relation to the obstacle). Each refusal up to two attempts.
-
-1 1/2 points: Slight stumble.
-
-2 points: Jumps into an obstacle. Refuses twice (the horse backs up and/or sidesteps away twice) and/or will not enter obstacle. After three refusals the horse and rider must move on; this will result in a -9 for the obstacle. A horse receiving a -9 for refusal cannot place above any horse that receives a score for each obstacle or a horse that went off course.
Navigating Deductions:
-
- 1/2 point: For each tic of an obstacle.
-
-1 point: Break of gait for drinking during a water obstacle if they stop. Each delayed stride or gait when asked during transition. One foot off or out of the obstacle but does not touch ground.
-
-1 to 1 1/2 points: Horse and rider lose forward motion. Horse steps on or moves an obstacle. Incorrect or break of gait. Skipping space or failing to step into required space. Moving one step during mount/dismount, ground tie, or hobble (except shifting to balance). Deviates from center of obstacle or course pattern.
-
-2 to 2 1/2 points: Horse stumbles. Rushing. Incorrect or break of gait at walk, jog/trot/gait, or lope/canter for 2 strides or more. In-hand stopping to change sides. Knocking down an obstacle. Jumping out the obstacle exit. Steps off or out of obstacle with one foot, and touches the ground, once the foot had entered obstacle. Missing one element of obstacle on line of travel with one foot. Moving two or three steps on mount/dismount, ground tie, or hobble.
-
-3 points: Horse is not listening to the rider.
-
-4 points: Reactive/scared horse during obstacle.
-
-5 points: Steps out of the obstacle with two or more feet, or falls off. Dropping slicker or object. Cumulative refusal, balk or evade. Letting go of gate. Stepping outside the confines of obstacle, jumping off or out of obstacle with more than one foot, once the foot has entered obstacle. Four or more steps on dismount, ground-tie or hobble. Horse rears up and or bucking. Never achieves the gait specified. Two feet in and back up out of the obstacle because you’ve already “entered” the obstacle.
Exit Deductions:
-
-1/2 to -1 Point: Tic. Slight change of pace. Slightly off center. Horse crooked, not straight with two or three feet.
-
-1 to -1 1/2 points: Hurries or rushes. Horse crooked, does not exit an obstacle straight, all four feet. Not centered.
-
-2 points: All of the above.
Not safe. Jumps out. Not in designated exit area.
Horsemanship: The judges may explain what behavior they will find inappropriate during the riders meeting. If one shows good horsemanship, the competitor will receive 5 points which will be added to the score. If there are multiple judges, a maximum of 5 horsemanship points will be given or deducted per class. When multiple judges, deductions will be combined with a maximum of 5 points taken. It must be recognized that horsemanship scoring may be somewhat subjective but proper use of equipment is not. Competitors are encouraged to know the rules for use of equipment.
Horsemanship will be on overall presentation, including, but not limited to:
- Neat and clean, proper working equipment.
- Correct use of hands.
- Appropriate behavior between obstacles.
- Appropriate behavior while waiting at a hold.
- Only using allowed equipment.
- Talking only in an appropriate manner to a judge, scribe, or ring steward.
- Proper attire and dress and foot wear, which is clean and neat for a trail ride.
- A rider may sit, stand, two-point, or post at the trot no matter what discipline, with no penalty.
- Reins may be held with one hand or two hands.
- Hands may be changed, and reins may be adjusted in a smooth manner as needed to maneuver through the obstacle.
- Reins may cross over and/or be bridged.
- Uphill and downhill: Rider should be positioned appropriately to maintain the center of balance.
- Rider and horse are to negotiate slope in a safe manner.
- Rider may use a hand to support himself on the mane or saddle.
Horsemanship Deductions: Horsemanship deductions may be in addition to obstacle deductions. The number of points deducted will be based on the severity of the fault versus the actual fault. Horsemanship point deductions between 1 and 5 points may be taken for the following:
- Use of hand to instill fear or excessive praise.
- Using excessive hand action to jerk on the bit.
- Excessive use of spurs.
- Excessive use of a riding crop.
- Hitting or striking the horse.
- Over correction of the horse.
- Dirty tack.
- Excessive dirt on the horse.
- Equipment failure.
- Not having required equipment for an obstacle, example, hoof pick for hoof check.
- Entering or exiting obstacle from incorrect side or direction.
- Working obstacle from the incorrect direction.
- Riding outside boundary marker of arena or Course hold area.
- Incorrectly adjusted back cinch, more than hand laid flat between horse and cinch.
- Incorrectly tied rope halter.
- Failure to ever show correct gait between obstacles as designated.
- Failure to follow the correct line of travel between obstacles.
- Excessive emotions of anger or praise.
- Talking in any way inappropriately to a judge, scribe, or official.
- Receiving course direction by anybody other than an approved pattern reader as allowed in Sections 8 and 9.3.2 in the IMTCA Rulebook