Rated Trail Program
MISSION | PROGRAM OVERVIEW | RULES FOR RMRTP | REGISTRATION FOR EVENTS | EVENT MANAGEMENT | GENERAL RULES OF THE RIDE | POST REGISTRATION | RULES ON THE TRAIL
Click here for Rated Trail Locations and Information for 2009
Click here for Rated Trail Ride Registration Form
Click here for KBIF Horse Nomination Form
Click here for Rated Trail Rider Card
If you have any questions about the Rated Trail Program, please call Jan Culp at 270.777.3307
First Competition:
The Rocky Mountain Rated Trail Program had its first competition this past Saturday April 25, 2009. We had a beautiful sunny day with 27 horses and riders attending, three of which were youth. Our obstacles included crossing water, tires, logs, moving a branch and everyone’s favorite, the mount/dismount. Whoa boy!
Our high point horse was Squirrel’s Black Knight owned, trained and ridden by Gerald Stains of Dream Gait Stables in Louisville Kentucky. A handsome black stallion “Ace's” disposition, versatility, and intelligence, are a wonderful testament to the Rocky Mountain breed. “Ace” also shines in the show ring with the 2008 RMHA International Show - Reserve Champion in the 4-year-old Stallions Trail Pleasure! If you would like to learn more about this talented duo check out www.dreamgaitstables.com Congratulations Ace and Jerry!
Join us for the next rated trail ride starting at 10 a.m. Eastern time on May 9 at the Green River State Park just south of Campbellsville, KY
Second Competition:
Hey everyone, my name is Nickie Gwisdalla and I was the winner of the Rated Trail Ride on May 9, 2009 at Green River State Park in Campbellsville, KY. I had a great time on the trail and was very excited to learn that I was the only rider with a perfect score. Of course, I owe it all to my amazing six year old mare, Moses Little Fay. She came to Ramblin Acres Farm as a yearling, and I soon fell in love with her and claimed her as my own. I broke her when she was three and have done all of her training myself. I use her primarily for helping teach my eight young riding lesson students, all of which love her calm and sweet demeanor.
Just to tell you a little about myself, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Marietta College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry in May of 2008. Within the next couple of years, I plan to return to school to obtain my Master’s Degree as a Physicians Assistant (unless I change my mind… again!). However, horses have always been my passion and I have been training, learning, teaching and traveling full-time since I graduated last year. I have been riding and showing horses since I was eight years old, and training at Ramblin Acres since I was thirteen. I enjoy all aspects of the horse business, especially working with the youth.
Not only do I enjoy teaching young riders; I love learning as well. I am currently one of Richie Wingfield’s students and upon completion of my training and traveling with him, I will receive my certification as a professional horse trainer. During the winter months, I completed a four week performance clinic with Richie, where I learned to execute a variety of reining and dressage maneuvers. I have also been assisting him with many clinics and demonstrations in Florida. Over the years, I have traveled out West to work beside Brandi Lyons several times. Most notably, I assisted with her Colorado women’s retreat in 2007 at the Lyons Ranch, and I will be making the trip again this year in June to help with this summer’s clinic. I have gained a lot of experience in natural horsemanship techniques over the years and I love a trail ride with a challenge, so the Rocky Mountain Rated Trail Program was right up my alley. I look forward to the remaining rides this year and I look forward to seeing everyone there! Happy Trails!!
Join us for the next rated trail ride starting at 10 a.m. Eastern time on June 6th at the Red Hill Horse Camp, Livingston, KY (Rockcastle County)
Third Competition:
Hello to you from the rolling fields of Pegasus Stables in Mt. Washington, Kentucky! My name is Peggy McConnell Edwards and I am a native of Louisville, Kentucky. I have two grown children and six grandchildren. After Peg's Splish Splash and I gained high point at the June 09 rated trail ride at Red Hill, I was asked to write a "profile", so... here goes!
I always had a pony or a horse ever since I can remember but my life dramatically changed when I became a full time, true country girl, in 1980. That is when the original land in Mt. Washington, was purchased. The house in which we reside was moved onto the property by Edwards' House Movers. Other buildings were moved onto or built after, as our vision of a farm, and then of a stables, was acknowledged.
My job as a Therapeutic Aide gave me educational opportunities, insights and training with mentally and physically challenged individuals. With that, God gave me a vision into a revolutionary program, NARHA which was very new and almost unheard of, at that time. My desire was to serve and assist the mentally and physically challenged individuals, creating a program, at the stables, which I named, "Peg's Therapeutic Ponies", established in 1998.
As breeders our goal was to accomplish an all around, gentle, pleasure horse. Our search brought us to identify the Rocky Mountain Horse as being a good candidate and our first Rocky Mountain Horse was purchased in 1995 from Wendell Johnson. Bloodlines, color, temperament, intelligence and gait became the passion and goal as I worked with organizations and clients. We have 30 rockies and two stallions standing at stud, Top Guns Maverick, a chocolate roan and Peg's Diego, out of Johnson's Toby who won high point in the 2008 KBIF rated trails as well as Peg's Splish Splash, and Peg's Ginger.
Besides the many blessings God has given us as awards, ribbons, trophies, recognition and accomplishments, being a member of, and in the company and friendship of the Rocky Mountain Horse Association, has brought me to a place in my life where I believe it has been worth it all. I owe many thanks to all of you, and to the special horse we all love, and to Our God who gave us "The Dream."
Join us for the next rated trail ride starting at 10 a.m. Central time on September 26 at Long C, Westmoreland, TN.
You can contact us at ( 502) 955-4152 or peggsplace@windstream.net
Click here to download the results of the Mammoth Cave Horse Camp ride April 25, 2009
Click here to download the results of the Green River State Park ride May 9, 2009
Click here to download the results of the Red Hill ride June 6, 2009
Click here to download the results of the first four 2009 ride scores and standings
Click here to download the RMRTP 2009 final scores and standings
Mission
The Rocky Mountain Horse was founded on basic principles such as sure-footedness, willingness to please, and versatility unmatched by any other breed. The Rocky Mountain Rated Trail Program (RMRTP) is designed to use a series of obstacles in a natural trail environment. This will allow the horse to demonstrate its athletic skill, 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 is 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 for each ride.
The monitor will send riders and horses to 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 are not limited to, the following:
· Water crossing
· Bridge crossing
· Down tree (or other) obstruction
· Unnatural object, such as a construction barrel
· Maneuver around a log or other object
· Obstacle to show backing ability of the horse
· Area to demonstrate a 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, judges will submit their score sheets 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 accumulated points for each competitor. The committee will arrange for recognition of the participants.
Rules for RMRTP
A. Event Eligibility:
1. Events are open to all RMHA members in good standing.
a. Participants 17 years of age must compete in the Junior Division.
b. Members over 60 years may participate in the Senior Division.
c. All other applicants will compete in the General Division.
d. A horse may compete in one division--Senior, Junior or General.
2. Riders must apply for RMRTP card to be eligible for points or payouts.
3. Rides are open to all Registered and Certified Rocky Mountain Horses, 36 months of age and older, including registered & certified Grade Mares.
B. Registration:
1. Pre-Registrations: The committe will publish on the appropriate web sites downloadable application forms that participants may submit between 30-90 days in advance of any scheduled event. Supporting docuents (see below) must accompnay all aoplications.
2. Day of Event Registration: Applicant must present their applications, along with required documentation (see below), to the registrar at least one hour before the scheduled start time of the event.
C. Required Documents & Information:
1. Completed registration form.
2. Payment of entry fees per ride: $20 per rider.
3. Original copy of horse’s registration papers. If the rider submitted a copy with pre registration, they must still show the original to the registrar on the day of the event.
4. Registration papers must show horse Certification as all horses must be certified to compete for awards.
5. Horse must be 3 years old (36 months of age) by event day.
6. Current RMRTP Rider’s Card.
7. Current RMHA Membership Card.
8. Current negative Coggins test.
9. Current State Health Certificate indicating horse is free of disease. Kentucky certificates are good for one year or until Coggins expires. Out-of-state health certificates must be within 30 days.
10. For youth, a signed release for the rider and the horse.
Event Management:
The RMRTP director will assign the following personnel to manage an event.
A. Registrar:
1. The RMRTP Committee and/or Director will appoint a Registrar for each ride.
2. Registrar will be familiar with the rules of registration and the process of recording and compiling scores.
Registrar’s Duties:
1. Accept/record all registrations.
2. Give each applicant a trail map.
3. Issue a back number to each participant.
4. Record assigned back number in the records of the ride along with the completed registration forms.
5. At completion of the event, the registrar will:
a. Collect the score sheets from each judge.
b. Record completion time as each participant returns.
B. Timer: The Timer will:
1. Assign the starting order of the participants.
2. Record starting time for each rider on a score sheet.
3. Record completion time as each participant returns.
4. Notify the Trail Master of any minimum/maximum time violations.
C. Trail Master: The Trail Master’s determination is FINAL. They will be responsible for all aspects of the event on the trail including:
1. Laying out trails with directions along the way.
2. Setting up trail obstacles.
3. Advising participants of the following prior to the ride:
a. Review of the trail map.
b. Identification of trail marks.
c. The minimum and maximum times for ride completion.
d. Water locations.
e. Safety requirements while on the ride.
4. Announcing trail changes during the ride.
5. Enforcing the rules of the ride. (All participants must fully comply with the Trail Master’s instructions.)
6. Submitting ride results and information to the RMRTP Committee Secretary.
D. Judges:
1. The RMRTP Committee will recruit and train judges.
2. Judges will assess scores based on a scale of 0 to 5.
0 = Bypass obstacle
1 = Insufficient, beyond skill level
2 = Made effort, skills need development
3 = Adequate job, obvious mistakes
4 = Above average, very minor mistakes
5 = Perfect, no discernible mistakes
3. After all Riders have completed an obstacle, the judge will promptly submit the score sheets to the Registrar.
4. Complaints/Evaluations same as Show Rules – see RMHA website for rules and form.
General Rules of the Ride
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Horses with a history of kicking must have a red ribbon tied to their tail.
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Bits will be optional for all horses except stallions. If using a curbed bit, shanks shall not exceed 8 inches measured from the top of the top ring to the end of the metal at the bottom, not including the bottom ring. Unacceptable: Bit mouth pieces made of chain, bicycle chain, saw chain, wire, twisted wire or twisted mouth pieces, including but not limited to single wire, double wire, straight wire, jointed wire, twisted wire bits or twisted bits of any kind. In addition, no bits may be wrapped. No double mouth pieces or bits the judge considers inhumane.
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No tie-downs.
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No protective devices, ice boots, or wraps on the legs and/or feet.
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Junior riders must wear a helmet—strongly recommended for all others.
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Saddles may be English or Western.
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A bare back saddle is acceptable.
Shoes:
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Horses may be shod with simple factory made keg shoes with modest amounts of borium (or drilltech) not to exceed 5/8 inch.
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Caulked shoe total thickness should not exceed 7/8 inch.
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Natural toe length must not exceed 4½ inches, including the shoe.
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Horses may go bare foot. Easy boots are allowed.
Stallions:
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Stallions will have a yellow ribbon tied in their bridle and around their tail.
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Stallions must have a bridle and bit.
Post Registration:
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Riders and their mounts must remain in the designated assembly area and may leave only to attend the Pre-Ride Meeting and when called to begin the ride.
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Horses in the assembly area must be tied at all times, unless in motion either by lead or when rider is mounted.
Rules On the trail
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Practicing an obstacle before the competition will result in zero point disqualification.
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A horse or rider not completing any part of the trail will result in assessing one point per violation.
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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.)
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The horse and rider may proceed at any speed they desire keeping in mind the minimum and maximum times allotted to complete the course.
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Any violations of the minimum and maximum ride time window will result in a one point penalty for every 15 minutes up to 5 points.
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When the rider approaches a designated obstacle, they will await the judge’s signal to proceed. They will complete or bypass the obstacle, as desired, then continue down the trail.
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Riders may address questions (about safety or trail conditions) to the safety riders or the trail master before they make any deviation of the assigned route, except in instances of extreme danger.
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No "accidental" shortcuts are permitted. If a rider accidentally gets off the trail, they must return to the
