AQHA 2015 Rule Book | Page 131

hats, reins or ropes will be cause for termination of that run. Slapping of hand or rein to own leg is permitted. o) At the judge‟s decision, a team can be awarded a rerun if one (1) or more head of cattle is deemed unsuitable (health wise) or escapes the arena. p) Competitors will only be called three (3) times to present for their run. If that team does not present at the “in-gate marshall area” by the third call, that run may be made void at the judge‟s decision. q) Cattle must not be shouldered or pushed by either horse or rider during the run. Abuse of cattle or horses will be the cause of immediate disqualification of the run without refund of entry fee. r) When the three (3) whole beasts, of your given colour, are across the centre foul line, your team are committed to those cattle. The Judge will say “Committed”. If one or more of those beasts (whole beast) go over the centre foul line it cannot be reclaimed. That lost beast then becomes part of the existing mob, known as a “lost beast” 101. TRAIL a) This class will be judged on the performance of the horse over obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the rider, and quality of movement. Credit will be given to horses negotiating the obstacles with style and some degree of speed, providing correctness is not sacrificed. Horses are to receive credit for showing attentiveness to the obstacles and the capability of picking their own way through the course when obstacles warrant it, and willingly responding to the rider‟s cues on more difficult obstacles. b) Horse will be penalised for any unnecessary delay while approaching or negotiating the obstacles. Horses with artificial appearance over obstacles are to be penalised. c) Horses will not be worked on the rail. The course must be designed, however, to require each horse to show the three (3) gaits (walk, jog and lope) somewhere between obstacles as a part of its work and quality of movement and cadence will be considered as part of the manoeuvre score. Gait between obstacles will be at the discretion of the judge. d) The course to be used must be posted at least one (1) hour before scheduled starting time of the class. 101.1 Scoring will be on the basis of 0-infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. Each obstacle will receive an obstacle score that will be added or subtracted from 70 and is subject to a penalty that will be subtracted. Each obstacle will be scored on the following basis, ranging from plus 1.5 to minus 1.5: a) -1.5 extremely poor, -1 very poor, -.5 poor, 0 correct, b) +.5 good, +1 very good, +1.5 excellent. 101.2 Obstacle scores are to be determined and assessed independently of penalty points. Penalties will be assessed per occurrence as follows: The following deductions will result in: a) Disqualified Zero (0) Score - will not be placed Page 131