Western trail class: how to prepare

What exactly is a trail class?

In a trail class, you ride individually through a course of 6 to 10 obstacles. The order is fixed and announced in advance. You typically have 5 minutes to walk the course on foot, without your horse. Obstacles range from a bridge and a mailbox to a gate that you open and close from horseback. Each obstacle is scored separately on a scale from minus 2 (disqualification of that element) to plus 3. Calmness, correctness, and ease count for more than speed.

How does the judge evaluate you?

Judges focus on three main aspects: how the horse approaches the obstacle, the execution at the obstacle, and the departure. A horse that hesitates, oversteps, or knocks over a cone loses points. But the rider's position also counts: do you use unnecessary aids, lean to one side, or grab the saddle? That deducts points. The ideal performance looks relaxed and effortless. Remember: a minor fault (such as touching a cone without knocking it over) can still be recovered in your overall score, but a fallen obstacle costs you 2 points per element immediately.

Common obstacles at a glance

• Bridge or platform: horse steps on calmly, stands still on command, steps off in a controlled manner
• Gate: you open, pass through, and close the gate without letting go of the rope or rail
• Logs or poles: 4 to 6 ground poles at a fixed distance, stepped over one by one
• Back-through box: horse backs between cones or rails without touching them
• Mailbox or bucket: you pick up an object, carry it, and place it elsewhere
• Sidepass over a pole: the horse moves laterally over a pole lying on the ground

Basic exercises for home and the stable

Start with groundwork exercises before getting in the saddle. Lead your horse over ground poles, through narrower passages, and past unfamiliar objects. This builds confidence without pressure. Under saddle, work step by step: introduce one obstacle at a time, reward calm behaviour, and repeat until the horse responds in a relaxed manner. Then combine two or three elements into a small course.

• Walk over four to six equally spaced ground poles daily for 10 minutes (60–75 cm spacing for walk)
• Practise backing between two parallel lines 90 cm wide over a distance of 4 metres
• Train opening and closing a dummy gate from the saddle at least 3 times per session
• Have your horse stand still for 2 minutes on a board measuring 2×1 metres on the ground
• Combine sidepass, back-through, and bridge in a mini-course lasting 5 minutes

Use EquiSight to track your training progress

Log your training sessions in the horse profile in EquiSight. Note after each session which obstacles went well and where your horse still hesitated. You can also consult EquiCoach for specific questions, such as how to build up a horse that refuses a bridge step by step. Use the calendar to add structure: plan 3 to 4 focused trail sessions per week and alternate with conditioning work. Over a period of 4 to 6 weeks, you will clearly see where your progress lies.

Making the most of your course walk

Five minutes sounds short, but it is more than enough if you walk with purpose. Start at the first obstacle and walk the course in exact order. Measure the distances between poles with your strides — for walk poles the standard is usually 60 to 75 cm, for trot poles 90 to 120 cm. Pay attention to the direction of the gate, the width of the back-through box, and the position of objects you need to pick up. Make mental notes or jot them down briefly. Also decide in advance which hand you will hold the gate with and how you will position your horse at the sidepass.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Riding through too quickly: trail rewards calmness, not speed — take your time at each element
• Insufficient exposure to unfamiliar objects: introduce your horse at home to plastic bags, buckets, and flat boards
• Over-steering around poles: practise riding straight without corrective aids
• Forgetting to close the gate: this costs 2 points immediately — make it a fixed habit
• Stopping halfway through a hesitation: teach your horse that perseverance and calmness go hand in hand