Looking for a Ride?
Casual Competition, Serious Fun. Charity and rescues receive 20% of ACTHA's gross member rider's entry fees.
Can't find a ride near you? Call 877-99-ACTHA, or email [email protected], and tell us where you are. Give us your name, zip code, and phone number, and we'll get right on it!
RIDES IN DECEMBER
December 6
Rock, WV
Centreville, MD
Randleman, NC
Comer, GA
Riverside, CA
Las Cruces, NM
December 7
Riverside, CA
Powder Springs, GA
Shannock, RI
Las Cruces, NM
Randleman, NC
December 13
Beulaville, NC
Milton, FL
Jasper, FL
Pahrump, NV
Beulaville, NC
Pine Mountain, GA
Wesley Chapel, FL
Come ride with us! Sign up online or search for rides near you on ACTHA's Event Page
I am twelve-years-old and just rode in my first ACTHA ride. It was a two-day CTC and I really liked it. I got to ride with my older sister and we had a blast. The obstacles were really fun, especially the water crossing. And, we got to see wild hogs out on the trail. I won first place both days, and won my very first belt buckle. It's so cool. My little sister also just started with ACTHA, but she was sick and couldn't do this ride. I can't wait for the next ride so both of my sisters and I can ride together.
––Bridger Jesse, Florida
ACTHA Monthly | November 2014 | 12
Obstacle Tips
THE GATE
By Kim Stephens, ACTHA Ride Host and Trail Boss
The Gate obstacle is well-known and often one of the most practiced obstacles! The object of this obstacle is to ride up parallel to the gate and have the horse stand quietly while the rider opens the gate. Walk through the opening and turn the horse, and side pass to close the gate.
Judges are looking for riders to maintain control of the gate by keeping their hand on the gate at all times. A quiet and smooth approach and execution are rewarded. Points will be deducted if the rider removes their hand from the gate, if horse spooks, backs away, refuses to cooperate with rider’s aids, or if the horse pushes the gate with its head or chest.
Variations may include Open riders backing through the gate, stepping over a pole under the gate, hanging a plastic bag or other object on the gate. Pleasure and/or Junior riders may be asked to only open the gate. The size of the gate will also affect the difficulty – 4ft walk through gate vs. a 8-10ft heavy duty gate.
Ropes gates are usually easier than metal gates and can be created at home if you don’t have access to a metal gate on your property. Simply use a lead line or long rope to attach to two tree, jump standards, or fence posts and ta-da! A makeshift gate obstacle!
December 14
Pine Mountain, GA
Beulaville, NC
Milton, FL
Jasper, FL
December 20
Pleasant Valley, NY
Tallahassee, FL
December 27
Luling, TX
Altoona, FL
Fallbrook, CA
Altoona, FL
December 28
Fallbrook, CA
Altoona, FL
December 31
Stanford, KY
January 1
Stanford, KY