10/06/2022
WORKING EQUITATION OBSTACLES
STOCKPEN
1. CONSTRUCTION:
a. This obstacle will consist of a circular inner yard and a circular outer yard with an opening to allow entry and exit.
b. For Lead-Line through to Novice, the outer yard should be a minimum of 8 metres.
c. For Elementary and above the outer yard will have a minimum diameter of 6 metres.
d. The inner yard will have a minimum diameter of 3 metres.
e. The actual track to ride should be 1.5m.
f. There will be an opening in the outer enclosure that is a minimum of 1.5 metres in width which will be the entry to the obstacle.
g. The use of live animals in Australia is not practical, so life‐size statuary representing such animals is recommended.
10. EX*****ON:
a. Competitors will make one circuit of the obstacle in one direction (Course Designer or Head Judge may indicate the initial direction or leave it to the rider’s discretion), then exit the obstacle, change direction, and return to the obstacle to repeat the circuit in the opposite direction.
b. When changing direction, the horse and rider will execute a volte (1/2 8m circle or less), turn on the haunches (small turn 1m or less), half‐pirouette (hind feet stepping in place), and the horse will change lead if cantering. If trotting or cantering, Novice and Elementary riders may come back to walk for change of direction.
c. At Lead-Line and Introductory the obstacle must be performed at walk
At Preparatory and Preliminary the obstacle may be performed at walk or trot At Novice to Masters the obstacle must be performed at walk
11. JUDGING CONSIDERATIONS: (STOCKYARD)
a. The judge(s) will consider the horse’s quality of gaits, bend, rhythm, and confidence, and the rider’s confidence and use of aids in performing the obstacle.
b. The turn outside the stockyard between circuits of the yard is considered a component of the obstacle and will be judged accordingly.
c. If the horse knocks the fence a low mark is given.
d. If the horse displaces the fence the mark is below 5.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND TRAINING TIPS (my comments )
The judge is looking for even bend and pace . A good walk will score higher than a poor uneven trot .
Do the largest circle you can in other words hug the outside rail not the inside one .
Maintain bend , almost think leg yield .
Remember trot diagonals. Not all judges mark down for incorrect diagonals but they are important to the ultimate balance and evenness of your horse . Learn to feel them and change them seamlessly.
The pace you do your first circle is the pace you must do your second circle or else it’s judged a break of gate.
You can walk your change of direction outside the pen but must be back at trot ( if you were in the first circle) by the time you enter the pen. Likewise if you have been trotting and break to a walk to do your change of direction, you must not walk till your horse clears the stockpen .
Pay attention to which side you entered first it’s incredibly easy to do two circles the same way … DQ right there 😬
Always remember you can take any route you like to the obstacle and can even proceed around the outside of the pen and “ leak “ into the opening .
Arrange your bend and diagonal etc before entering the pen .
Always think of the next obstacle on the list when leaving the completed one so you can make a good approach .
