2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

97 Section 10. Western Trail Class Class Description: The Western Trail Class is a pattern class consisting of obstacles to be negotiated by exhibitors. This class will be judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the rider, attitude and quality of movement. A. Arena Arrangements: 1. Show Management, when setting courses, should keep in mind that the idea is not to trap a horse, or eliminate it by making an obstacle too difficult. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind so as to eliminate any accidents. If difficult courses are set, youth trail should be less difficult. When the distances and spaces are measured between all obstacles, the inside base to inside base measurement of each obstacle, considering the normal path of the horse, should be the measuring point. 2. The course must be designed to require each horse to show the trail walk, flat foot walk, fox trot and lope somewhere between obstacles as a part of its work. Quality of gaits between obstacles should be considered as part of the obstacle score. Enough space must be provided for a horse to flat foot walk (at least 20 feet) fox trot (at least 50 feet) and lope (at least 50 feet) for the judge(s) to evaluate these gaits. 3. At least six obstacles must be used, three of which must be from the mandatory list of obstacles and at least three selected from the list of optional obstacles. 4. The judge must walk the course and has the right and duty to alter the course in any manner. 5. Mandatory obstacles: a) Opening, passing through and closing gate. Use a gate which will not endanger horse or rider. If the gate has a metal, plastic or wooden support bar under the opening, contestants must work the gate moving forward through it. b) Ride over at least four logs or poles. These can be in a straight line, curved, zigzag or raised. The space between the logs is to be measured and the path the horse is to take should be the measuring point. Trot-overs and canter-overs cannot be elevated in amateur and youth classes. All elevated elements must be placed in a cup, notched block or otherwise secured so they cannot roll. The height should be measured from the ground to the top of the element. Spacing for walk-over, trot- over and canter-overs should be as follows or increments thereof. 1) Spacing for walk-overs shall be 24” to 28” inside base to inside base measurement and may be elevated to 12 inches. Elevated walk overs should be set at least 26” apart. If using a “box” or combinations of “boxes” they must be constructed using four logs or rails that must be 5 feet to 7 feet in length. The dimension of each box should be that of a 5 feet to 7 feet square. 2) The spacing for trot overs shall be 3’6” to 4’ and may be elevated to 8”. 3) The spacing for canter overs shall be 6 feet to 8 feet (1.8 - 2.4 meters) or increments thereof and may be elevated to 8 inches (20cm). c) Backing obstacle - Backing obstacles to be spaced a minimum of 34” to 36” (85 -90cm). If barrels, cones or elevated obstacle, 40” to 48” (100cm-120cm) spacing is required. Entrants cannot be asked to back over a stationary object such as a wooden pole or metal bar. 1) Back through and around at least three markers. 2) Back through L, V, U, straight or similar shaped course. May be elevated no more than 24 inches (60cm). 6. Optional obstacles (but not limited to): a) Water hazard (ditch or small pond) - No metal or slick-bottom boxes will be used. b) Serpentine obstacles at walk or fox trot. Minimum spacing is 6’ (1.8 meters) for walk, and 21’ (5.4 meters) for fox trot. c) Carry object from one part of arena to another. (Only objects which reasonably might be carried on a trail ride may be used.)