|
|
|
Sponsors and Vendors
|
Welcome to the Equi-Trek Trail Challenge Association!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2011-2012 SEASON EQUINE TEAM WINNERS!
HIGHLIGHTS OF AN EQUI-TREK Trail Challenge
An Equi-Trek Trail Challenge is a one day trail riding event with a 6 to 10 mile trail route with 6 - 10 natural challenges. Judges are posted along the trail and in camp to evaluate your execution of the challenges. These scores are marked on your scorecard which will be compared to other riders in your division. You may find some locations offer 2 rides back-to-back within one weekend. These rides are separate rides and each have their own awards ceremony per day, with new ribbons, new prizes and MORE points! The course is designed using natural challenges and situations a Rider might encounter on a trail ride. The Rider might expect to be judged on backing their horse, going up or down an embankment, opening a gate, maneuvering through a creek, etc. For a full list of challenges that you may encounter on the trail, visit the Challenges page. Rider/horse teams are judged strictly on how well they negotiate through a challenge with an emphasis on calmness and safety.The Riders are divided up into seven levels of difficulty, Pro, Non-Pro, Advanced, Novice, Trail-in-Hand for adults and the Junior and Peewee Divisions for the kids, please visit the Ride Rules for clarification of Divisions. The Companion Division is designed for those that want to see what trail competition is all about or want to accompany a friend or family member on the trail; you will be judged but not eligible for awards. All divisions ride the same trail at whatever speed they feel comfortable keeping safety a consideration. Each Rider competes against other Riders in the same division. Ribbons awarded to the top 6 placements per division. Prizes issued based on number riders per division (see Ride Rules). Awards will be given at the end of the ride. Points accumulate and year end awards are presented for Equi-Trek TCA Members A Typical Ride Day at an Equi-Trek TCA Event: Some riders arrive the day before the event, and many come on ride day. A typical ride day starts with check-in between 8 - 9 (this is where you sign up for your division, choose a ride out time, pay your fees and are issued your ride number), followed by a Ride Briefing at 9am (Judges are introduced, challenges and trail route is explained, followed by Q&A. Everyone is then dismissed to go tend to their horses and get ready for ride out. Ride out is 10am - 11am, with groups of riders leaving every 15 minutes. You may advance down the trail at your own speed, keeping safety in mind. You do not have to stay with the group you rode out with, although this is a great time to mosey down the trail and meet some really great people while enjoying your horse. As you advance down the trail you will encounter 6 - 10 challenges spaced a mile or more apart as the terrain dictates. The horse and the rider, each, will be judged on their performance, and scored accordingly: SCORING PER CHALLENGE: 10 points total (5 points total for horse & 5 points total for rider); PLUSES are given to horse, rider, or both in any score range for an exemplary attempt.
5 – Performed Superior
Trail routes are on the average 6 miles. A 6-mile trail route will take the average rider at a walk/trot about 2 1/2 hours. When you arrive back at ride camp, your horse will undergo a soundness check by trotting a figure 8 for the Soundness Judge. You are then free to tend to your horse until the Awards Ceremony, which is usually by 2pm. Once the awards are over, your time is yours. At some rides, there may be other events offered for you to participate in, clinics, in camp obstacle courses, fun rides such as a night ride with glow-sticks, etc.
If there is another ride offered on Sunday, it all starts all over again the next day!
We sure hope you can make the upcoming rides and we look forward to seeing you out on the trail!
Equi-Trek Trail Challenge Association
ssl certificates |
