Each year ATRA sponsors a Competitive Trail Ride (CTR) competition
in the Ozark National Forest of Arkansas. The competition is
held under the sanction of the North American Trail Ride Conference
(NATRC). The competition involves the performance of horse and
rider on the trail being judged according to condition, manners
and horsemanship. Each competition has at least one horsemanship
judge and one veterinarian judge. The riders are judged on good
horsemanship skills. The horses are observed for manners, willingness
and skills in performance, conditioning and soundness.
The trail event is marked over the natural terrain of the
area. The riders are expected to navigate the trail in a prescribed
time, according to the designated division. “Open: riders
will ride from 50 to 60 miles during a two-day event. “Novice”
and “Competitive Pleasure” riders will ride 30-40
miles total. The horse-rider team must maneuver around or over
typical trail obstacles as well as perform certain movements
(backing, side-pass, specified turns, etc.)
CTR is a highly demanding sport requiring the utmost in conditioning,
training and care of the horse. A typical CTR event will involve
40-60 competitors. It is not unusual to have an event where
the age of the riders ranges from 10 to more than 60 years of
age.
In addition to the competitors, 20 to 30 support personnel
are required to make the event a success. The ride management
positions are: ride chairperson, ride secretary, trail master,
pulse and respiration (p & r) chairperson, safety chairperson,
judges’ secretaries, timer, rules interpreter, and stable
manager. Anyone with horse and trail experience is a candidate
for these positions. Some duties of other workers include: assisting
with the display tables and awards tables, tally scorecards,
drag riders (horse must meet competitive criteria), 4-wheeler
riders, ambulance (horse trailer) driver, etc. If you would
like to be part of a CTR event, but do not think you are ready
to compete, there is a spot for you…on or off your horse!
The family atmosphere surrounding a CTR event makes every rider
feel comfortable.
NATRC_-_North
American Trail Ride Conference
