Back Country Horsemen hold Trail Trial

On August 20 the San Diego Unit of the Back Country Horsemen put on their first Trail Trial Event on a private ranch in the Santa Ysabel area. A Trail Trial Event is consists of riding down a trail and negotiating across an obstacle. Each participant is judged on how well both horse and rider perform. The obstacles can be many different things. The San Diego unit chose to make their obstacles as natural as possible, with a few fun exciting things thrown in.

The first obstacle was a tack check, where both rider and horse were checked out to make sure equipment was safe and that several items needed in the back country were present. The remaining obstacles involved such things as crossing a ravine; walking in and backing out of an “L”; dragging a log; offside dismount/mount; crossing a bridge and opening a gate. For excitement, organizers threw in a clothesline where riders had to hang up a piece of clothing with clothespins. Then there was a stump covered with a tablecloth and an umbrella. On that obstacle, the rider had to pick up a bag of sticks, carry them a few feet, then return them to the table. That was a fun one!

There were 79 riders signed up, with 74 actually participating. This event was open to the general public. The main goal was to provide education to the public about who and what the BCHC is all about, the need for gentle use in the backcountry and for everyone to “just have fun.” The entry fee included the required drug testing fee and a BBQ chicken catered lunch consisting of BBQ chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, brownies and tea provided by Wholly Smoke BBQ of Murrieta.

To top off the Trail Trials, the unit sold raffle tickets for a pair of custom-made chinks created by Doug Moore, leather craftsman. The raffle was a big success, probably in part due to the fact that the famous Buck Ward, “The Living Legend,” modeled his pair of chinks for the entire event. Music was also provided with a country western theme, which was piped out across the parking/staging area.

Two hundred points was the maximum any rider could get for the 10 obstacles involved. There was also a five-point quiz for extra points at the end of the course. Terri Merry of Ramona won the adult division by receiving all 205 points available. Buffy Swetland of Lake Elsinore accumulated 203 points and Mandy Picozzi of Warner Springs received 200 points, coming in second and third, respectively.

In the junior category, Millie Birdsong of El Centro received 168 points, with Kara Barraco of Lakeside at 158 points and Alisa Taylor of Imperial Valley getting 145 points.

The Trail Trials was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. If you are interested in this sort of riding, the BCHC Redshank Unit is having a Trail Trial on Sept. 24. Contact Stacy Kuhns at [email protected] or call (909) 633-1705.