My first competition

[Quarterbell]

I had my first competition on Sunday and won my first ribbon! It was a 4 hour trail competition. I rushed out of the house and forgot my camera. There would have been some great pictures.

I had to follow ribbons through the hills. Every once in a while there would be a judge watching me handle some obstacle. On one obstacle I had to back my horse down a narrow path down the side of a hill. That was not something I had ever thought of practicing!

Anyway, I had a lot of fun and I was glad that I entered. I feel much more confident because of it.

[entreat]

Congratulations!!! That sounds like an awesome challenge and tonnes of fun!!

[OlavS]

Well done, Quarterbell!

How was the scoring system?
I'm kind of new to competitions myself, only one dressage and SJ competition (both at club level) under my belt so far ;)
What other obstacles did you face?

[Quarterbell]

Thank you Olavs and entreat.

The higher the score the worse the competitor did. Like golf I guess. Each obstacle had a maximum of 10 points. 10 being the obstacle wasn't even attempted and 0 being it was done perfectly.

On one obstacle I had to get off, and while holding her lead rope go into a portable outhouse, close the door and count to five, come out and get back on. On that one people were marked off if their horse didn't hold still after the rider went into the outhouse, if the rider didn't lead correctly, if they didn't check their girth before getting back on, etc.

I had to unlock a gate with one hand, move my horse through the gate, and while never taking my hand off the gate pivot my horse around the gate, shut it and relock it.

There were alot of up and down hill, a water crossing, and a step up and step down, a narrow tunnel to go through, a suspension bridge that weaved. I had to prove that I carried a hoof pick with me and that I could tie a quick release knot.

I noticed on one judges score sheet that he had a column for rider and a column for the horse so we were both being judged.

On some competitions riders have been asked to drag something, or to carry a bag of cans that scare the horses. There are a whole lot of different things that they can make you do.

It was very educational and I would encourage anyone to try one if they do that where you live. It was a lot of fun!

There were all levels of riders and horses in the competition and a few children. The riders rode both western and english and one lady rode bareback!

I am a new rider who can't even canter yet. Too afraid. LOL. Maybe this will give me the confidence to try.