Mission

The Rocky Mountain Horse was founded on basic principles such as sure footedness, willingness to please, and versatility unmatched by any breed.  The Rocky Mountain Rated Trail Program (RMRTP) is designed to utilize a series of obstacles in a natural trail environment.  This will allow the horse to demonstrate its athletic skills, coordination, confidence, intelligence, and gait.  Given the growing popularity of trail horses, the RMRTP will showcase the superiority of the Rocky Mountain Horse.

 

Program Overview

The trail course will be designed in a natural trail environment fashioned to accommodate any level of rider and will allow sufficient time for course completion.  There will be a minimum and maximum time allotted for each ride.

 

The horses will be sent out on the trail at intervals so as not to create congestion.  Riding in pairs or small groups is allowable provided there is enough space between riders at the judged areas. 

 

Within the trail, each horse and rider will encounter five judged obstacles, which may include, but is not limited to the following:

1.   water crossing

2.   bridge crossing

3.   downed tree obstruction

4.   unnatural object such as a construction barrel

5.   log that must be maneuvered around

6.   obstacle to display the backing ability of the horse

7.   mostly level, good footed area in which to demonstrate proper gait.

 

 

There will be a judge at each location to score each horse on an established scale based on the horse’s attitude, manners, style and willingness to perform each task.

 

At the completion of each competition, the judges score sheets will be submitted to the registrar who will tally the results and forward to the RMRTP secretary.

At the completion of the year’s competition the RMRTP Committee secretary will calculate and disseminate total point accumulations for all competitors. The committee will arrange for recognition of the participants.

 

Rules for RMRTP

 

Eligibility for Events:

1.  These events will be open to all members of the RMHA

      who are in good standing.

a.  Participants 17 years of age and under will be required to    

     compete in the junior division.

b.  Members over 62 years of age may elect to participate in

     the seniors division.

c.  All other applicants will compete in the general division.

 

2.  A rated trail card must be applied for in order to be eligible for points or payouts in the RMRTP. 

a.      Adult riders cards: $20 per year

b.       Juvenile rider cards: $10 per year

 

3.  Rides are open to all Registered and Certified Rocky Mountain Horses 36 months of age and older.  This will be determined, in months, from the date of birth listed on the registration certificate.

 

 

Registration for events

 

Pre-Registration

The committee will publish on the appropriate web sites downloadable application forms that may be submitted between 30-90 days in advance of any scheduled event.  These applications must be accompanied by the supporting documents as listed below. 

 

Day of Event Registration

Day of an event registration is permitted as long as the applicant presents his application and all required documents to the registrar at least one hour before the scheduled start time of the event.

 

Required Documents:

1. Fully completed registration form

2. Payment of entry fees per ride:  $20 per adult, juvenile riders 17 and under free.

3. Original copy of the horse’s registration papers. A copy may have been submitted with the pre registration packet, but the original still has to be shown to the registrar on the day of the event.

4. Current RMRTP rider’s card 

5. Current RMHA membership card

6. All horses competing for RMRTP points must be certified in order to participate.

7. The records must show that the horse has attained 36 months of age at the time of the event

8. Current negative coggins test

9. Current state health certificate indicating that the horse is free of disease.

10. A signed release for the rider and the horse.

 

 

 

Event management:

The RMRTP committee will assign the following personnel to manage an event. 

 

A. Registrar:

·       To be appointed by either the Committee and/or the Trail Master for each ride.

·       He/she should be fully familiar with the rules of registration and the process of recording and compiling of scores. 

 

Registrar’s Duties

·       Accept and record all registrations for the day’s event.

·       Give each applicant a map of the trail.

·       Issue a number to each participant

·       Record assigned back number in the records of the ride along with the completed registration forms.

·       At the completion of the event, the registrar will:

1.   collect the score sheets from each of the judges

2.   record all data into a complete log

3.   submit results and final scores to trail master

 

B. Timer

The Timer’s responsibility is to:

1.      assign the starting order of the participants

2.      record the starting time for each participants on a score sheet

3.      record the time of completion on the score sheet as each participant completes the course.

4.      notify trail master of any minimum and maximum time violations

 

C. Trail Master

 

The trail masters determinations are FINAL as they apply to the established rules.

The trail master will be responsible for all aspects of the events on the trail including:

1.      Laying out the trails with appropriate directions along the way.

2.      Set up the trail obstacles to be judged

3.      Set markers at ¼ , ½ , and ¾ along the trail so the rider can assess their progress in time.

4.      Hold a meeting of all participants before the start of the ride to:

a.   Review the map of the ride

b.    Identify trail marks

c.    Announce the minimum and maximum times for ride completion

d.    Announce watering locations and review the safety regulations of the ride.

5.      If changes in the trail or the duration of the ride are needed, set a place along the trail to make this announcement at the same point for all riders as they reach that point on the trail.

6.      responsible for enforcing the rules of the ride. (All participants are required to fully comply with the trail masters instructions.)

7.      responsible for submitting ride results and information to the RMRTP Committee Secretary.

 

D. Safety Riders

1.   Approximately one safety rider for every ten participants will be recruited.

2.   Will operate under the direction of the Trail master.

3.   May assist the participants for safety factors, accidents, illness or injury to horse or rider so long as their assistance does not give the participant an unfair advantage.

 

E. Judges

The judges will be recruited and trained by the Committee and/or Trail Master for each ride. 

Following each ride, the judges’ activities will be reviewed and evaluated by the trail master. 

The Judges will assess a score based on a scale of 0-5.

0= bypass obstacle

1=Insufficient, beyond teams skill level

2= made effort, skills need development

3= adequate job, obvious mistakes

4=above average, very minor mistakes

5=perfect, no discernible mistakes

 

At the completion of the competition at each given obstacle, the judge will see that the score sheet for that obstacle is promptly transmitted to the registrar.

 

General Rules of the Ride

§       Horses with a history of kicking must have a red ribbon tied in their tails.

§ Bits will be optional for all horses except stallions. If using a curbed bit, the shanks shall not exceed 8¼ inches.

§ No tie-downs are allowed.

§ No protective devices, ice boots, or wraps are allowed on the legs and/or feet.

§ Helmets are required for all junior riders on the trail and are strongly recommended to all other riders.

§ Saddles may be English or Western.

§   A bare back saddle is also acceptable.

 

Shoes

·       Horses may be shod with simple, factory made, keg shoes with modest amount of borium not to exceed 5/8 of an inch. If using caulked shoes, total thickness should not exceed 7/8 of an inch. Natural toe length must not exceed 4 ½ inches, including the shoe.

• Horses may go bare foot.  Easy boots are allowed.

 

Stallions

·       Stallions must be identified with yellow ribbons tied in their bridles and around their tails.

·       Stallions must be ridden with bridle and bit.

 

Post Registration

·       Riders and their mounts must remain in the designated assembly area and leave only to attend the Pre-Ride Meeting and when called to begin the ride.

·       Horses in the assembly area must be tied at all times, unless in motion either by lead or being ridden.

 

Rules On the trail

 

·       A horse or rider not completing any part of the trail will be assessed one point per violation.

·       The rider must be on the horse when in forward motion.

(Rest stops are permitted but there must not be any forward motion without the rider in the saddle.)

·       The horse and rider may proceed at any speed they desire keeping in mind the minimum and maximum times allotted to complete the course.

·       Any violations of the minimum and maximum ride time window will result in a one point penalty for every 15 minutes. 

·       When the rider approaches a designated obstacle they will await the judges signal to proceed. They will complete or bypass the obstacle as desired and then continue on down the trail.

·       Any questions about the safety or trail conditions must be given to the safety riders or the trail master before any deviation of the assigned route may be made, except in instances of extreme danger.

·       No "accidental" shortcuts are permitted.  If a rider accidentally gets off of the trail, he/she must return to the trail at the point the trail was left to return to the ride.

·       Scores will be final only after review and final determination by the RMRTP Committee Secretary. 

·       At the completion of the ride and following time-in recording by the timer, riders are free to leave.

·       Final results will be made available on the RMHA web site.