Trail Class

When done properly, a pinwheel obstacle within a trail pattern should look effortless. The reality is that the pinwheel is one of the more challenging obstacles you’ll see in a trail class. But it should only be done after you’ve gone through basic trail obstacles and have given your horse time to get comfortable navigating over multiple poles.

Use our list to build your own template that'll keep you organized and prepared every time you haul your horse.

Challenge yourself! Have fun and learn interesting facts about horses, horsemanship, and horse showing with Horse&Rider’s Trivia Challenge, featured in The Ride newsletter.

The CINCH sponsored First 2 Finish Trail Duel is a competitive head-to-head trail class that pits riders against each other in a race over trail obstacles where only knockdowns and time matters.

When done properly, an L-shaped back-through in a trail pattern should look almost effortless. Acing this type of maneuver requires hours of practice, teaching your horse to back with ease and cadence while listening to a combination of your hand, leg, and seat cues.

Have you ever taken part in the equine trail-course event of mountain trail or extreme mountain trail? Please let us know by participating in H&R’s Gallop Poll.

If you show in the trail class, you’re probably quite familiar with the rope gate obstacle. It’s easy for show management to transport and set up, and it’s forgiving when it comes to working the obstacle. But now we’re seeing the metal trail gate return to the show pen, which adds another item to prepare to face in a class.

There’s a common misconception among horses and humans that what we want lies somewhere else. It’s why horses graze on the other side of a fence when the grass is just as green and lush on their side. And why humans long for something—tangible or not—that we don’t have. I call focusing on that other place or thing we want “destination addiction.” Here I’ll discuss why destination addiction can hamper your training and riding progress and how to move away from it once and for all.

Do you have complete control over where every foot lands when riding your horse? Foot placement is crucial for precise navigation of any obstacle, whether it be poles or logs in a trail or ranch riding pattern, working through tires in an obstacle course, or navigating unsure footing on a trail. Where your horse’s first foot lands right before you enter the obstacle can make or break your execution. Here I’ll give you tips to ace that placement every time.

Nancy Cahill uses a tree and a box made of poles to help her horses master a supple, collected backup.

Working a rope gate for the trail class requires style and finesse. Here are pointers for earning high marks.

Master trail class lope-overs by learning how to gauge your horse's stride length with this private lesson from Charlie Cole.