Competitive Judged Trail Ride
Saturday, May 16, 2026 (afternoon)
Sunday, May 17, 2026 (morning)
Rain Date for this event, if needed, will be May 30th – 31st.
To be held at the Spenceville Wildlife Area – Brushy Creek
This is the same area where we have our annual Poker Trail Ride.
There will be TWO SEPARATE RIDES – – – enter just one OR enter both as a PACKAGE DEAL (discounted entry fee for both rides plus no charge for Saturday night camping and also be eligible for the OVERALL TWO DAY HIGH POINT CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS).
RIDE # 1 – Saturday, May 16th. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m. Rider’s meeting for anyone who wants to participate at 2:00 p.m. Ride starts at 2:30 p.m. with the first group, then the second group, etc. Awards at 5:00 p.m. There will be a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. – everyone is invited.
RIDE # 2 – Sunday, May 17th. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. Rider’s meeting for anyone who wants to participate at 9:00 a.m. Ride starts at 9:30 a.m. with the first group, then the second group, etc. Awards at 12:00 p.m. for Sunday’s ride. The awards presentation for the OVERALL TWO-DAY HIGH POINT CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS will follow.
FIVE AGE DIVISIONS (age of rider as of 1/1/26):
* 9 years and under * 10 to 13 years * 14 to 17 years * 18 to 59 years * 60 years and over
There will be awards for the top finishers in each age division for each day’s separate ride. Judges’ shout out awards each day. OVERALL TWO-DAY HIGH POINT CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
This event will consist of a trail ride with trail obstacles along the way (8 obstacles). Obstacles are natural, or simulate naturally occurring conditions (including urban), for the horse and rider to negotiate. The ride consists of obstacles and situations people might encounter on a trail ride. A course is designed using the natural obstacles that already exist on a particular trail such as walking over logs, opening a gate, or maneuvering through a creek. In riding, you may also encounter obstacles such as birthday parties, family BBQs, volleyball games, and mountain bikes . . . these are considered “natural” obstacles as well. Each obstacle will test the rider’s knowledge and the horse’s capabilities. Riders are judged on their skills and abilities to guide their horse through the obstacle course with an emphasis on calmness and safety. This trail ride is meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone. This is not a timed event, but casual in nature. Riders may be given a time limit to ride through a particular obstacle so that riders behind them don’t get held back. As long as safety and common sense are kept in mind, everyone will have a good time.
Each obstacle will have its own judge who will individually score each horse and rider. At the conclusion of the event, all of the scores will be tabulated and prizes will be awarded to the highest placings per each age division. This will be a FUN event and a great opportunity to try your horse on trail obstacles.
To enter this event, print off the entry form and mail the completed entry form with payment . . . OR . . . go to the “PAY ON LINE” tab and click on the “COMPETITIVE JUDGED TRAIL RIDE” box to enter and pay on-line.
If you miss the deadline or just want to show up that day to enter, we will be accepting entries starting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th, and 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 17th (there will be an additional $10.00 post entry late fee per rider).
Below is the flyer with more information. Also the entry form with the liability of release form if you want to print it off, fill it out, and mail to SFHA with your check. And the Competitive Judged Trail Ride event rules and guidelines.
The map to the event (same location where we have our Annual Poker Trail Ride) is part of the file with the flyer and the entry form (see below). Be sure to print off the map and take it with you before you drive to the event. There is no cell phone service where the event is held so you will not be able to call us to ask us how to get there.
Competitive Judged Trail Ride – One Page Flyer – 2026
Competitive Judged Trail Ride 2026 – Flyer + Entry Form + MAP of how to get there