Official Rules and Guidelines
The "Cowboy Trail Challenge" will consist of a course with set obstacles designed to highlight the animal's ability and willingness to perform for its rider. The riders' skills and knowledge of their animal will also be judged on their ability to negotiate "new or different" obstacles. The Challenge will be a judged event with a time limit. The rider and animal team will be judged over each obstacle for quality of horse/mule/donkeymanship, control, animal's attitude and overall completion of each obstacle.
THE SAME RIDER AND ANIMAL COMBINATION MAY ONLY WIN THE CHALLENGE ONCE!
Safety and providing a fun event is of utmost importance to all involved. Please be respectful to all competitors and their animals. ANY ABUSE OF INHUMANE TREATMENT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION. Animals must at least wear a saddle and a bridle. All riders must use the reins that are attached to the bridle. NO BRIDLELESS EQUINES!!!!! We want it to be safe all of our exhibitors and their animals.
COWBOY ATTIRE: The rider must wear cowboy boots, long pants, long sleeved shirt with a collar and a cowboy hat or helmet ( helmet required, if under 18). Optional attire consists of chaps, chinks, spurs, jackets or slickers. NO BASEBALL CAPS IN THE ARENA! Your number must be on your animal and visible from the outside of the arena. Any questions on attire should be addressed in the walk thru or ask the management at any time. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOUR ATTIRE IS LEGAL. IT IS NOT THE MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE DRESSED LEGALLY BEFORE YOU START YOUR COURSE!! Exhibitors not dressed in proper attire will be disqualified.
If the riders' animal gets away from him/her or the rider becomes dismounted, he or she may continue the course, if he or she can catch and remount by themselves without assistance.
Time will continue to elapse during the process. If time elapses and the rider is still dismounted, points will be counted prior to loss of the animal. If time elapses after the rider has re‐mounted before the end of the course, points will be counted on everything up until the time ran out.
The order of go will be selected by the officials in a random drawing. This official order of go may not be challenged, and the participants must complete in accordance with the official order of go or be disqualified. You will have 30 seconds to start your course after the starter calls you on course. If you fail to start in 30 seconds, your time will start automatically. You may not change places with another exhibitor for any reason! If your horse or you are injured or sick you need to tell management prior to your starting time so we don't eliminate you from the event.
There will be a time limit on the first round. All obstacles that are completed in the correct order and within the time limit will be judged. Time will not have a factor on the first round. The "on course time limit" will be announced at the rider's meeting and walk through. Points will be awarded for each obstacle attempted or completed in the correct order on a scale of 1‐ 10 for the combination of animal and rider 1‐5 on the “cowboy” during the time allotted. Participants must make an effort and attempt each obstacle. Riders may not completely bypass an obstacle. All obstacles must be attempted in the specified order as diagramed in the course summary. This means the rider must stay on the drawn course that is given to you! IF YOU GO OFF COURSE BY MISSING OR BYPASSING AN OBSTACLE WITHOUT TRYING… YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE COMPETITION!! Absolutely NO assistance or guidance may be given from outside the arena. The crowd at the event is considered to be part of the course, and each contestant acknowledges that the crowd may be a distraction to him or her and to the animal. We can’t control the crowd, but try to keep it to minimal distractions. If there is a “show off box” no assistance from the outside is permitted! That means no props, coaching or anything! If you aren’t carrying it on your or your animal, you can’t use it to show off with.
There are 3 judges that will each judge a portion of your first round. This will give you a score of the combined total of all judges. The final round will be judged by all 3 judges judging all obstacles. This will give you a score of the combined total of all judges. The final round will be judged by all 3 judges judging all obstacles. Bonus points will be given for faster times in the finals.
The top 10 high scoring teams plus the top 2 in each division will advance to the finals. The finalist will complete from a “clean slate” and a new order of go will be drawn randomly by the officials. The final course will be handed out just prior to the final walk through on Sunday morning. All rules apply to the final round also. There are no ‘special cases’. Please remember we try to make this a challenging, safe and fun event. Any questions should be asked during the final walk thru, prior to the start of the finals.
ALL MANAGEMENT DECISION ARE FINAL!!!!
NO REFUNDS DUE TO WEATHER, NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS!! This is the Ultimate Cowboy Trail Challenge and you may have to ride in unfavorable weather for a few minutes… just remember we have to stand in it all day to put on the Challenge… We are all in the same boat!! The only refund available is if the major interstate is closed coming into Bishop for the PRACTICE DAY! You will be refunded your entry fees, minus a $75 fee!
Refunds can only be made if the Horse, Donkey or Mule is sick or injured, and you have a written notification from you vet. Refunds can also be made for a sick or injured rider that also has a note from their doctor. The refund will be given minus $15 ($5 for the Drug Fee and $10 for office)
A fee of $30 will be charged for ALL RETURNED CHECKS for your entry fee, or for the Silent Auction!
Thank you for participating!! We want you to have fun and enjoy the Ultimate Cowboy Trail Challenge!! We love to meet each and every one of you!!! We put this event on for you to have an awesome time with your mount and the incredible obstacles that we dream up… but most of all so we can enjoy your company and watch you participate!
If you have any questions, please contact Kris Keeler (951) 201‐7110 or Linda Laird (760) 937‐1026.
Thank you for being part of our event!!