Trail Course of the Month 1/2020

This is a trail course I designed for the 2019 Desert Classic Arabian Show las December.  The show was in Scottsdale,  AZ and judged by Deborah Johnson.

I started the course with a right lead lope obstacle and one with corners.  This is a tough obstacle to be the first obstacle, but I thought it was appropriate for a Championship class at a prestigious Arabian Show.  

I followed with extended trot overs for obstacle #2.  They were measured 7' apart making each slot a double stride.  I continued the extended jog all the way to  the rope gate as drawn.  I think the popularity of Ranch Riding motivated to put in a big extended trot, something a trail horse should do well also.

I slowed things down considerably with a rope gate and walk overs for obstacles #3 and #4.  Afterwards the pace picked right back up with left lead lope overs and then went right back down with a quick stop and a 360˚ turn.

The class finishes with a combinations of a bridge, walk/overs and a back.  When a class starts fast, it is always a true test to see if a horse can have the steadiness to finish slow.

I appreciate the Desert Classic retaining me to do their trail courses all these years.  Measurements are below.