Gypsy Horse Showing Obstacle

Showing in OBSTACLE

The following photos and helpful hints are provided by
A Wizards Spell Ranch and your registry
to help you understand how to show in various classes.

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There are three different classes that will use the word OBSTACLE in them.

1. OBSTACLE in Hand (walking your horse through obstacles on a lead and through a specific pattern).
2. OBSTACLE Riding ( as above, but this time you are riding your horse through a specific pattern).
PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST SHOWS WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO "CROSS ENTER"
THESE TWO CLASSES !
Meaning you must choose to EITHER walk your horse through obstacles OR ride through obstacles.
So choose EITHER of these above two classes.
3. OBSTACLE Driving ( as, above, but this time driving your horse through a specific pattern).

One of the MOST important things in any OBSTACLE class is to MEMORIZE THE PATTERN. The pattern is typically given to you AT the show, not ahead of time. If your horse does everything correctly but you do it in the wrong order you will be penalized. The exact patterns and obstacles will vary by show so you can only work on general patterns at home to practice. That said, most shows typically use the same type of obstacles. Note: Typically you must choose either IN HAND or RIDING as most shows will not let you enter both.
We thank Syneva Peters Photos by Pam Peters	This is an example of OBSTACLE RIDING. Very typically you will see a "bridge" for your horse to cross. This can be practiced at home by walking on a sheet of plywood. It is the sound of your horse's hooves that often is the issue for your horse.
Again, thank you Syneva Photos by Pam Peters	This is another example of OBSTACLE RIDING. You will also typically need to BACK your horse through an "L" shape without your horse stepping on the logs or PVC or whatever is used. This can be practiced at home by backing your horse (calmly) through the L pattern using PVC pipe or logs or anything that can make a "barrier" for you horse to see. The trick is making the "turn". Only practice this when you and your horse are calm or your horse will get frustrated by not being sure what you wanted.
Again, thank you Syneva Photos by Pam Peters	This is another example of OBSTACLE RIDING. You will typically have a "gate" to open, walk through, and then close behind you. This isn't too difficult, but your horse must be willing to accept your "steering" cues. Note in the photo behind the rider what appears to be a "star" pattern or some pattern of logs to walk over without the horse's feet touching. That is another typical "obstacle".
Again, thank you Syneva Photos by Pam Peters	This is another example of OBSTACLE RIDING. You will often see the photo at left in a Ranch Horse Versatility event also. Your horse should walk over "trail obstacles" without fear. The photo at left is not as often seen in an OBSTACLE RIDING class as setting this up is time and space consuming for most venues. But it is another good thing to practice.

Please forgive the grainy photos below until we get new ones. BELOW is OBSTACLE IN HAND. Again, one of the MOST important things in any OBSTACLE class is to MEMORIZE THE PATTERN.
A Wizards Spell Trevor	This is an example of OBSTACLE in HAND. In hand is typically the same pattern and obstacles as shown above in the OBSTACLE RIDING, except you will be walking your horse through the pattern. Shown left is walking through a gate, "opening the gate" typically involves lifting a rope, walking through, and then placing the rope back.
A Wizards Spell Trevor	This is an example of OBSTACLE in HAND. In hand is typically the same pattern and obstacles as shown above in the OBSTACLE RIDING, except you will be walking your horse through the pattern. This can be practiced at home by backing your horse (calmly) through the L pattern using PVC pipe or logs or anything that can make a "barrier" for you horse to see. The trick is making the "turn". Only practice this when you and your horse are calm or your horse will get frustrated by not being sure what you wanted.

BELOW is OBSTACLE DRIVING.
Obstacle Driving is typically driving your horse through a set of CONE patterns as well as occasionally over a bridge. To successfully complete the course a driver must weave cleanly through a narrow track without touching or knocking over the cones, or often the balls on top of the cones.
Thank you www.ShootThatHorse.com