by:  Laura Wyant

EQUIPMENT:

This is a working class, so a driving harness outfitted horse WILL NOT have a points advantage over a combination of equipment outfitted horse.  Whatever equipment* it takes to get the job done is allowed as long as it's clean and safe.  Open Bridle, meaning no blinders or blinkers.  NO overcheck or sidecheck. Whip permitted (a shortish type whip - not a lunge whip) 

*Must meet FOSH rules and their standards for humane equipment

EXHIBITOR'S ATTIRE:

Gloves are required, as are Long pants, shirt (maybe long, short, or no sleeves);  tenni-boots or rnnning shoes are permitted.  Hat is not required, however a helmet maybe requried for youth exhibitors. 

100 Points given as follows:

As SAFETY precautions:  it is encouraged (but not required) that a "header person" be used to lead in & take out of the arena each entry.  If a header is not used, the exhibitor must lead the equine in and out of the arena by the halter/bridle.  Either method MUST  be used while going through the gate,  and at all times when the class entries are in the waiting/holding area.  Only one ground driving entry in the arena at a time, because should a youngster "explode" nobody else is in there to get involved in a (multi car pileup) wreck.

#1. "Control Test"  ~ 25 Points

Drive the horse BOTH directions showing the horse's "whatever" easy gait.   To be done in a "lunge the horse in a circle" type manner.  This shows that the exhibitor has control of the youngster, should it try to bolt and run!  In an Emergency = you fall back to doing lunging circles. You can even drop the outside rein if it gets that bad.  

NOTE:  The trail obstacles should be placed in a way that they are on the outside perimeter of the area needed for making a circle showing the ez gaits (lunging area).  If it's a LARGE arena, don't be putting the obstacles at the extreme outside edges (I don't want to walk that far, thank you very much!) Plus it takes up a lot of (arena) time for exhibitors to be covering  long distances. Exhibition area MUST be fenced in,  so  if a youngster does escape it's driver, at least it would be  loose in a contained area.

#2. "Bending Backwards" ~ 25 points

Poles on the ground, for a backing "L"  (where the youngster walks in all the way to the end, and then backs back out).  Poles are to be set no narrower than 2 feet apart, but no wider than 3 feet.

#3. "Can it" ~  25 points

Two barrels to drive between, and stop having the exhibitor even with the barrels. The exhibitor is to then, pick up the  (provided) sack of cans and move it from one barrel to the other.  More points for more noise (without the youngster flinching, spooking, bolting, etc.)

#4. "Over it" ~  25 points

A bridge,  or a sheet of plywood,  or blue tarp indicating water.  Polls on the ground can be added to this obstacle,  but can NOT be the only thing in this (walk over) obsatacle (they are too easy).

THIS should be THE STANDARD for every ~Ground Driving Trail~  class held, so the exhibitors can practice this at home, and there'll be no unpleasant surprises for the youngsters. Other than having to perform it in a new place, and the obstacles are not exactly like the ones at home. That's certainly challenge enough for this age equine.  

Total disqualification if the horse is exhibited under saddle and/or bareback at any time during the show year.   Exhibited Under Saddle and/or shown bareback, means that the horse entered in the contest is NOT to have ANYBODY ride it during the contest time frame.

Years ago, FOSH accepted my version of "In Hand Trail" for weanlings & yearlings.  It's the only version I know which is being done which requires each exhibitorto work off of  BOTH sides of their equine.  

I called it:  PRE school for a Trail Horse.

Only three obstacles, stop, pose, change sides (to the youngster's off side), and then go back through the SAME three obstacles.  

As anybody who's deals with horses knows that horses REALLY have two brains, one behind each eye, each side working independently of each other.  Well, it sure seems that way anyway:)

Ground Driving Trail  would be:  GRADE school for a Trail Horse

Maybe for the #4 obstacle could even be some sort of a narrow ditch (w/water?) to cross, as horses seem to have a little problem with depth perception. To have a horse trust it's ground driver/rider enough to step right over such an obstacle with no fuss/or bother indicates a pretty well trained critter.

The HIGH SCHOOL version could be considered riding two handed

COLLEGE version = neck reining

POST GRADUATE ~ would be for the (Easy Gaited) horses being ridden over the course while the exhibitor is holding a glass of champagne....   WooHooo!!!

Email:   LauraWyant@aol.com  

or call:  541-998-2803 PST