NORTHERN LIGHTS VERSATILITY RANCH HORSE ASSOCIATION
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  • Home
    • Membership
    • Sponsors
    • Grant Fund
    • NLVRHA AWARD WINNERS >
      • 2021 NLVRHA AWARD WINNERS
      • 2020 NLVRHA AWARD WINNERS
      • 2019 NLVRHA AWARD WINNERS
      • 2018 NLVRHA AWARD WINNERS
      • 2017 NLVRHA AWARD WINNERS
      • 2015 NLVRHA AWARD WINNERS
      • NVRHA LEGEND AWARDS
  • About
    • What to Expect at Your First Clinic & Schooling Competition
    • How to get started with us....
    • Volunteer
  • EVENTS
    • Clinics
    • Results & Standings
  • Classes
    • Divisions
    • Rules and Scoring
    • Working Ranch Horse
    • Ranch Cutting
    • Ranch Riding
    • Ranch Trail
    • Ranch Conformation
    • Clinicians/Judges >
      • Lavert Avent
      • Jeff Barnes
      • Tom Bjorklund
      • Jennifer Bull
      • Marie Anne Deiss
      • Neal Henning
      • Gena Henson
      • Jay Henson
      • Lita Perrin
      • Janie Huot
      • Mary Leonhart
      • Bonnie Minor
      • Russ Ratkowski
      • Pam Whitfield
      • Dawnn Taylor
  • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
  • Logowear

Ranch Trail


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The Ranch Trail class  is designed to show your horses willingness to perform several tasks that might  be asked of him during the course of a normal work day on the ranch. This class  consists of 7 obstacles and the three gaits of walk, trot, lope.

 Three of the obstacles are mandatory at each event:
 1) opening, passing through and closing a gate
 2) dragging a log 
 3) dismount, ground tie, drop your bridle and re-bridle, pickup all 4 feet and remount.

Mandatory 1) Opening and closing a gate. This can be performed several different ways. Be  sure to consult your trail pattern and clinician at each event for specifics. If you have questions or need  clarification ask your event manager and/or judge prior to the class starting.  When performing the gate maneuver you are not to let go of the gate at any time until you are finished. Letting go of the gate results in a penalty.
 
Mandatory 2) Dragging a log. This can also be performed several different ways. Again, be sure to consult your trail pattern and clinician at each event for specifics. Credit is given as to how smoothly and efficiently the horse performs this task. 

Mandatory 3) Dismount, un-bridle & re-bridle, pick up feet, ground tie and remount. This requires the horse to stand quietly while the rider dismounts, removes the bit  completely from the horse’s mouth to allow the judge to see the bit, re-bridles and then goes around the horse picking up each foot. The horse should remain ground tied as the person goes about the process until finally mounting up.  

Other optional obstacles may include crossing a real water hazard, a bridge, opening/closing a mail box, side passing over odd shaped logs, carrying a slicker from one spot to another, roping a stationary steer etc.. Often, natural obstacle courses are used for this class which can include grassy surfaces (a particular challenge for the ground tie).  

See the NVRHA’s score sheets for all 5 classes for the scoring system. The pluses and minuses as well as minor and major penalties are clearly described.  For further information on this category, refer to NVRHA's current Rules & Regulations, or, contact us for any clarification of this event.


Example of NLVRHA Trail Patters

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NLVRHA does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability for membership or participation. 

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