East Coast Trainer Challenge: Colt starting competition

2008 Trainer Challenge

East Coast Trainer Challenge Expands to 4 expos!

The East Coast Trainer Challenge, which began at the Virginia Equine Extravaganza in 2007 has now expanded to include 3 preliminary challenges (Illinois, Arkansas and North Carolina) with the final competition to be held in Virginia at the October Virginia Equine Extravaganza, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2008.

About the Challenge: “Natural horsemanship” is a skill and an art starting young horses is one of the most effective ways to illustrate the many faces of natural horsemanship. The North Carolina Equine Extravaganza is proud to feature a trainer challenge in which these three east coast trainers will demonstrate their natural horsemanship skills as they work with young sport horses to get them ready to accept a saddle and rider. showcasing various training techniques that maintain the integrity of the natural horsemanship movement. Trainers will be evaluated on their ability to advance the horses as far as the horses’ individual capabilities will allow. Judges will evaluate their ability to read a horse and keep the horse calm, attentive, and engaged. The competition is emceed by horse-behavior expert Julie Goodnight and Wayne Williams.

The Competition: Each trainer will have one three one-hour round pen sessions with a horse. Trainers will work simultaneously and will be encouraged to explain the techniques used and what changes they see in their horses. Well-known equine event announcer Wayne Williams and Lead Judge Goodnight will narrate the events. Following the third round pen session, trainers will bring their horses into the open arena for the final exam. Bringing the horses in together will create less stress for each horse. They will have 20 minutes to work at liberty with their horses to showcase the progress made. Obstacles and training opportunities will be available, but the trainers will be responsible for choosing what their horses are ready to attempt. Plus points will be given when the horses remain willing, forward, calm and focused; minus points will be given for pushing the horse beyond its capabilities. And let the competition begin…

Audience as Judges: And you can help us decide! Each Trainer is assigned a color and the audience will hold up a color coded card at the conclusion of each session to indicate the trainer who they feel best exemplified the judging criteria. Emphasis is placed on the quality of training that occurs and not the quantity. The judges will be looking for enduring and purposeful training skills and steady improvement in the horse. Use this guide to keep track of who’s in the lead!

North Carolina 2008 competitors include Brock Griffith, Phil Rogers and Gilbert Gonzalez. The competition will take place each day of the NC Equine Extravaganza, beginning on Friday morning at 9:30. Judges: Terry Myers, Colin Daanguard, Sylvia Scott. Moderator: Julie Goodnight

Final Competition in Virginia: Winners from each of the 3 competitions will meet in Virginia on October 31 to face off for the title of East Coast Trainer Challenge Champion. The Virginia competition will take place on Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Your general admission ticket for the expo is all you need to attend this exciting event. Judges: Sylvia Scott, Ed Dabney, Catherine Burke. Moderator: Tommy Garland

2007 Trainer Challenge Winner: Ed Dabney Tommy Garland: 2006 Trainer Challenge Winner

JUDGE CARD:

Reading

horse

Gaining

trust

Focus of horse

Desensitization

Training

techniques

Equipment

used

Stress of horse

Progress

made

Difficulty of horse

Overall impression

Total score

Comments

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Finals

SCORING

Total possible score is 100; score 1-10 in each block, with a 7 score of 70% representing an average performance. Each trainer begins the session with a 70% and is given more of fewer points in each category. Seven=average performance, 8 or 9 is very good; 5 or 6 is below average. Half points and multiple points may be assigned. Final score is attained by adding and subtracting points from the initial score of 70; 65 is below average, 75 is above average.

RULES

Logistics: Trainers may not interact with horses in advance. Trainers may not seek information about the horse. Trainers are allowed one assistant who may only enter the pen to hold the horse at the time of first saddling. The assistant may hand the trainer equipment through the rails when requested. Abusive actions of any kind are prohibited and will result in disqualification. Natural horsemanship methods of control and discipline are allowed. Clinicians will stop if their horses become overtired or stressed; water will be available for both horses and riders, as needed. Goodnight is the final authority on all matters. Equipment: Typical tack and training tools may be used (blankets, ropes, saddles, saddle pads, bridle, halter, flags, sticks, etc.). Only snaffle bits may be used. Items not normally associated with natural horsemanship are prohibited: i.e. machinery, harsh training tools. The announcer and/or the judges may ask questions of the clinicians and ask them for explanations or comments.

SCORING

Trainers are not judged on how far or fast they train their hoses, but rather on their ability to read their horses and adapt to the horses’ temperaments while employing the most appropriate methods for their horse. Each judge will score each session based on a 100 point scale, with 70% being average. The total score fore ach session will be an average of each judge’s score, plus the audience choice (25% from each judge plus 25% from the audience). The final score will be an average of all four sessions. At the end, all four scores will be added and averaged and the trainer with the highest average wins.

SCORE CARD

Each item will be scored from 1-10 by each judge, with 7 given for an average performance and 1- for an outstanding performance. Plus and minus points will be assigned (see below). Each trainer starts with a 7 in each category. If a particular item makes you say “wow!” give a plus 1-2 points (8 or 9 score). If the item makes you respond with a “so-so,” give a 7. If the item makes you frown, give a minus 1-2 (score 5-6). Half points can be used. Major deductions (5 points) can be given at the judges’ discretion. Ten items on the scorecard allow for a total of 100 points.

FINAL EXAM

Following the third round pen session, there will be a short break then each horse/trainer pair will come into the full arena to work the horses for approximately 20 minutes and show the judges and the audience what his horse has learned. Trainers will have the opportunity to work the horses in the open arena and attempt any obstacle that they felt the horse is ready for. Plus points will be given if the horse stays quiet, focused, willing, and moving forward. Minus points will be given if the horse is pushed too hard, shows obvious signs of stress or regresses in his training.

PLUS POINTS

· Horse remains bright, willing, and alert

· Horse stays soft and relaxed

· Horse stays focused on trainer

· Free and forward movement of the horse

· Lightness of the aids (natural and artificial)

· Horse remains quiet and calm

· Horse stands quietly for mounting
· Horse is respectful but not fearful of trainer

· Desensitizing horse to normal stimuli such as saddle, mounting, tarps, or slickers

MINUS POINTS

· Early saddling or mounting\

· Signs of stress in horse (excessive sweating, heavy breathing, worried eye)

· Horse hitting fence repeatedly with legs or falling down in response to trainer’s cues

· Horse tries to exit round pen

· Regression in the horse’s training (horse is worse at end of session)

· Persistent agitation in the horse

· Use of excessive force

· Tricks not relevant to good horsemanship

·The use of harsh artificial aids or devices

· Use of ‘toys’ irrelevant to good horsemanship

· Injury to horse is grounds for no score or disqualification

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Please call us or send us an email if you have a question or would like more information. We look forward to seeing you at the Equine Extravaganza®.