Western Trail
A. Gaits: See Western Terminology for gaits to be performed between the obstacles.
B. Posting of Pattern: Pattern must be posted at least one hour before the class
C. Pattern Specifics:
1. A minimum of six obstacles will be used, three of which are mandatory and at least three others selected from the approved list. Care must taken to avoid setting up any of these obstacles in a manner that may be hazardous to the mule and rider. Obstacles not combined shall be a minimum of 9’ (nine feet) apart. Management. when setting courses, should keep in mind that the idea is not to trap a mule, eliminate it or make it look silly by making an obstacle too difficult or scary looking.
2. The course must be designed to require each mule to demonstrate walk, trot and lope somewhere between the obstacles as part of the working course. Enough space must be provided for the judge to evaluate the gait. Enough space should be provided for a mule to jog (at least 30 feet) and lope (at least 50 feet) for judges to evaluate these gaits. The mule’s way of going should be appropriate for a trail mule. Points may be added or subtracted from a mule’s total score on the obstacles based on his attitude, manners, style and way of going, but the mule with major faults on the course (knock-downs, etc.) should not place ahead of a mule that worked the obstacles cleanly.
3. If course is disrupted, the course cannot be reset and re-measured until the contestant finishes the entire course,
4. If difficult courses are set, Youth, Junior and Novice trail should be less difficult.
5. Mules must not be required to work on the rail.
D. Changing Hands on Reins: Exhibitor may use only one hand on the reins except for junior mules or Green mules that are ridden in a snaffle bit or hackamore with two hands. Hands may not be changed except when:
1. Putting on or removing the slicker.
2. Carrying an object from one part of the arena to another.
3. Dismounting
4. Working the gate.
E. While the mule is in motion, riders hand shall be clear of mule and saddle.
F. Safety of Course: The judge has the right and duty to alter the course in any manner or remove any obstacle, including mandatory obstacles, he/she deems unsafe. If at any time a trail obstacle is deemed unsafe by the judge, it shall be repaired within a reasonable amount of time or removed from the course. If it cannot be repaired within a reasonable amount of time and mules have completed the course, the score for that obstacle will be deducted from all previous works for that class.
G. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind so as to eliminate any accidents. Consideration should be given to Youth and Novice riders and their safety and Junior Mules for their level of training.
H. Judging Considerations: Trail is a class mules should excel in as compared to horses. Courses should be challenging, but, at no time, attempt to ridicule or make the mule look silly to the spectators. Courses should be designed to exhibit the finesse, sure- footedness and calm capability of the mule as a superior trail animal.
1. This class will be judged on the performance of the mule over obstacles. Judges will assign a point value to each obstacle and points will be added to or subtracted from this score based on the mule’s performance over that obstacle.
2. Credit will be given to those mules negotiating the obstacles cleanly, smoothly, and smartly with style and prompt response to the rider’s cues. Any mule performing with an artificial or mechanical appearance should be penalized. Mules should also be penalized for touches and knockdowns of any elements of the course and for unnecessary delay in approaching the obstacles. Extreme variation of gaits is to be penalized as in not engaging a true Western gait as defined in Western Terminology.
3. Exaggerated standing in stirrups and leaning forward over mule’s neck by the rider should be penalized. Riders shall be penalized for obviously cuing their mule on the neck or anywhere forward of the cinch.
4. A true trail mule should be relied upon to investigate an obstacle to determine its safety. A mule cannot be penalized for investigating an obstacle, if the obstacle is then negotiated calmly and safely.
I. Disqualifications:
1. Failure to follow course will result in disqualification.
2. Major disobedience such as rearing at an obstacle will result in disqualification from the class.
3. Willful abuse by the exhibitor toward the mule will result in disqualification from the class.
4. Illegal equipment or lack of equipment will result in disqualification from the class.
J. Failure to complete an obstacle shall not be a disqualification. but is to be severely penalized.
K. Mandatory Obstacles:
1. GATE - The gate must be set up so that it is a minimum of four feet in length and four feet in height and so that the contestant can open from his right side or left side. The rider may not change hands or lose control of the gate while passing through.
2. BRIDGE - A bridge with a wooden floor at least 6 feet in length not to exceed twelve inches in height and with or without side rails not less than thirty-six inches apart will be used. Mules must not be asked to trot over or lope over bridge.
3. BACK THROUGH - Backing obstacles to be spaced a minimum of 28’; if elevated 30” is required.
a. Back through and around at least three markers.
b. Back through L, V, U, straight or similar shaped course. May be elevated no more than 24”.
L. Optional Obstacles:
1. Water hazard (ditch or small pond). No metal or slick bottomed boxes will be used.
2. Simulated water hazard made of a plastic tarp, secured to the ground, so that it will not become affixed to the mule’s foot when a mule passes over the simulated water.
3. Serpentine obstacles at a walk or a jog. Spacing to be a minimum of 6’ for a jog.
4. Carry an object, other than a live animal and of a reasonable size and weight from part of the arena to another. (Only objects which reasonable might be carried on a trail ride may be used.)
5. Ride over at least four logs or poles. They can be in a straight line, curved, zigzag or raised. The space between the logs is to be measured and the path the mule is to take should be the measuring point. The space for walkovers shall be 20-24”; trot overs 3’-3’6”, lope overs 6-7’. Walkovers may be elevated 12” and should be minimum of 22” apart. The height should be measured from the ground to the top of the element. Trot overs may be elevated 12” and should be a minimum of 3’ apart. Lopeovers cannot be elevated. Trot overs cannot be elevated in novice, 13 & under or 10 & under classes. All elevated elements must be placed in a cup, notched block, or otherwise secured so they can not roll.
6. Put on and remove a slicker. When this obstacle is used, it will be so located that the rider can ride to the slicker, put it on and remove it and return it to a designated place. Reins may be held or dropped on the neck of the mule or over the saddle horn while so doing.
7. Side pass (may be elevated to a 12” maximum.) An object of such a nature and length which is safe and lying on the ground may be used to demonstrate the responsiveness of the mule to leg signals. The obstacle may be designed to require the mule to side pass either or both ways or in a pattern.
8. Box: An obstacle consisting of four logs or rails, each 5’ to 7’ long, laid in a square. Each contestant will enter the square by riding over log or rail as designated. When all four feet are inside the square, rider should execute a turn, as indicated and depart.
9. Mail Box - Remove and/or replace items. Side pass is optional.
10. Lime Circle - Requiring a turn on the forehand with front feet inside and back feet turning on outside of lime circle. May also be performed with hind feet in circle showing a pivot.
11. Drag or Pull - An object other than an animal or fowl which can be reasonable pulled or dragged without the contestant having to daily may be used. Dallying is not allowed.
12. Any other safe and negotiable obstacle which could reasonably be expected to be encountered on a trail ride and meets the approval of the judge may be used.
M. Prohibited Trail Obstacles:
1. Tires
2. Live animals
3. PVC pipe
4. Jumps
5. Rocking or moving bridges
6. Water box with floating or moving parts
7. Flames, dry ice, fire extinguisher
8. Logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits such to roll.
9. Ground Tie
10. Dismounting
Examples of back throughs and ground poles :
A. Gaits: See Western Terminology for gaits to be performed between the obstacles.
B. Posting of Pattern: Pattern must be posted at least one hour before the class
C. Pattern Specifics:
1. A minimum of six obstacles will be used, three of which are mandatory and at least three others selected from the approved list. Care must taken to avoid setting up any of these obstacles in a manner that may be hazardous to the mule and rider. Obstacles not combined shall be a minimum of 9’ (nine feet) apart. Management. when setting courses, should keep in mind that the idea is not to trap a mule, eliminate it or make it look silly by making an obstacle too difficult or scary looking.
2. The course must be designed to require each mule to demonstrate walk, trot and lope somewhere between the obstacles as part of the working course. Enough space must be provided for the judge to evaluate the gait. Enough space should be provided for a mule to jog (at least 30 feet) and lope (at least 50 feet) for judges to evaluate these gaits. The mule’s way of going should be appropriate for a trail mule. Points may be added or subtracted from a mule’s total score on the obstacles based on his attitude, manners, style and way of going, but the mule with major faults on the course (knock-downs, etc.) should not place ahead of a mule that worked the obstacles cleanly.
3. If course is disrupted, the course cannot be reset and re-measured until the contestant finishes the entire course,
4. If difficult courses are set, Youth, Junior and Novice trail should be less difficult.
5. Mules must not be required to work on the rail.
D. Changing Hands on Reins: Exhibitor may use only one hand on the reins except for junior mules or Green mules that are ridden in a snaffle bit or hackamore with two hands. Hands may not be changed except when:
1. Putting on or removing the slicker.
2. Carrying an object from one part of the arena to another.
3. Dismounting
4. Working the gate.
E. While the mule is in motion, riders hand shall be clear of mule and saddle.
F. Safety of Course: The judge has the right and duty to alter the course in any manner or remove any obstacle, including mandatory obstacles, he/she deems unsafe. If at any time a trail obstacle is deemed unsafe by the judge, it shall be repaired within a reasonable amount of time or removed from the course. If it cannot be repaired within a reasonable amount of time and mules have completed the course, the score for that obstacle will be deducted from all previous works for that class.
G. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind so as to eliminate any accidents. Consideration should be given to Youth and Novice riders and their safety and Junior Mules for their level of training.
H. Judging Considerations: Trail is a class mules should excel in as compared to horses. Courses should be challenging, but, at no time, attempt to ridicule or make the mule look silly to the spectators. Courses should be designed to exhibit the finesse, sure- footedness and calm capability of the mule as a superior trail animal.
1. This class will be judged on the performance of the mule over obstacles. Judges will assign a point value to each obstacle and points will be added to or subtracted from this score based on the mule’s performance over that obstacle.
2. Credit will be given to those mules negotiating the obstacles cleanly, smoothly, and smartly with style and prompt response to the rider’s cues. Any mule performing with an artificial or mechanical appearance should be penalized. Mules should also be penalized for touches and knockdowns of any elements of the course and for unnecessary delay in approaching the obstacles. Extreme variation of gaits is to be penalized as in not engaging a true Western gait as defined in Western Terminology.
3. Exaggerated standing in stirrups and leaning forward over mule’s neck by the rider should be penalized. Riders shall be penalized for obviously cuing their mule on the neck or anywhere forward of the cinch.
4. A true trail mule should be relied upon to investigate an obstacle to determine its safety. A mule cannot be penalized for investigating an obstacle, if the obstacle is then negotiated calmly and safely.
I. Disqualifications:
1. Failure to follow course will result in disqualification.
2. Major disobedience such as rearing at an obstacle will result in disqualification from the class.
3. Willful abuse by the exhibitor toward the mule will result in disqualification from the class.
4. Illegal equipment or lack of equipment will result in disqualification from the class.
J. Failure to complete an obstacle shall not be a disqualification. but is to be severely penalized.
K. Mandatory Obstacles:
1. GATE - The gate must be set up so that it is a minimum of four feet in length and four feet in height and so that the contestant can open from his right side or left side. The rider may not change hands or lose control of the gate while passing through.
2. BRIDGE - A bridge with a wooden floor at least 6 feet in length not to exceed twelve inches in height and with or without side rails not less than thirty-six inches apart will be used. Mules must not be asked to trot over or lope over bridge.
3. BACK THROUGH - Backing obstacles to be spaced a minimum of 28’; if elevated 30” is required.
a. Back through and around at least three markers.
b. Back through L, V, U, straight or similar shaped course. May be elevated no more than 24”.
L. Optional Obstacles:
1. Water hazard (ditch or small pond). No metal or slick bottomed boxes will be used.
2. Simulated water hazard made of a plastic tarp, secured to the ground, so that it will not become affixed to the mule’s foot when a mule passes over the simulated water.
3. Serpentine obstacles at a walk or a jog. Spacing to be a minimum of 6’ for a jog.
4. Carry an object, other than a live animal and of a reasonable size and weight from part of the arena to another. (Only objects which reasonable might be carried on a trail ride may be used.)
5. Ride over at least four logs or poles. They can be in a straight line, curved, zigzag or raised. The space between the logs is to be measured and the path the mule is to take should be the measuring point. The space for walkovers shall be 20-24”; trot overs 3’-3’6”, lope overs 6-7’. Walkovers may be elevated 12” and should be minimum of 22” apart. The height should be measured from the ground to the top of the element. Trot overs may be elevated 12” and should be a minimum of 3’ apart. Lopeovers cannot be elevated. Trot overs cannot be elevated in novice, 13 & under or 10 & under classes. All elevated elements must be placed in a cup, notched block, or otherwise secured so they can not roll.
6. Put on and remove a slicker. When this obstacle is used, it will be so located that the rider can ride to the slicker, put it on and remove it and return it to a designated place. Reins may be held or dropped on the neck of the mule or over the saddle horn while so doing.
7. Side pass (may be elevated to a 12” maximum.) An object of such a nature and length which is safe and lying on the ground may be used to demonstrate the responsiveness of the mule to leg signals. The obstacle may be designed to require the mule to side pass either or both ways or in a pattern.
8. Box: An obstacle consisting of four logs or rails, each 5’ to 7’ long, laid in a square. Each contestant will enter the square by riding over log or rail as designated. When all four feet are inside the square, rider should execute a turn, as indicated and depart.
9. Mail Box - Remove and/or replace items. Side pass is optional.
10. Lime Circle - Requiring a turn on the forehand with front feet inside and back feet turning on outside of lime circle. May also be performed with hind feet in circle showing a pivot.
11. Drag or Pull - An object other than an animal or fowl which can be reasonable pulled or dragged without the contestant having to daily may be used. Dallying is not allowed.
12. Any other safe and negotiable obstacle which could reasonably be expected to be encountered on a trail ride and meets the approval of the judge may be used.
M. Prohibited Trail Obstacles:
1. Tires
2. Live animals
3. PVC pipe
4. Jumps
5. Rocking or moving bridges
6. Water box with floating or moving parts
7. Flames, dry ice, fire extinguisher
8. Logs or poles elevated in a manner that permits such to roll.
9. Ground Tie
10. Dismounting
Examples of back throughs and ground poles :