To learn more about Virtual Obstacle Shows, visit our website at www.virtualobstacleshows.com or join our facebook page where riders are posting their videos and score cards. Hope to have you on
our next ride!
Virtual Obstacle Shows
By Stephanie Rivers
Tips and tricks from the Virtual Obstacle Show judges often appear on our facebook page. Scroll through past posts to watch videos or read about thoughts from the judges. One of our goals here at VOS is to help you and your horse become a better team today than you were yesterday!
One subject that has come up a lot from our judges is what to do between obstacles and how to approach obstacles. While our judging system is based on the obstacle itself, the rider and horse behavior between obstacles can often lead to a successful or poor obstacle performance.
If a pattern does not specify how one is to travel between obstacles, then it is left up to the rider/handler's discretion. What that means is that you can choose any path or speed you wish to move between obstacles. Put some thought into this. Set yourself up to come in at the right angle with plenty of space to do so. Don't cut your horse off and maybe lose a point because your approach was too sharp and he had to bump a pole to get into the obstacle. On the same note, take the time needed to get yourself and your horse in the correct frame of mind to complete the obstacle. If this means slowing or even stopping before approaching an obstacle, do so. A judge would rather see that you know your horse well enough to know they need a moment to think than to see you just rush in and they have a breakdown mid-maneuver.
On the other end, most patterns do have a time limit of three to three and a half minutes. If you have completed an obstacle on one side of your pen and your next obstacle is at the opposite, it may be worth it, time wise, for you to jog across the pen in a controlled manner. This way you have more time to properly execute an obstacle instead of rushing.
Approaching obstacles should also be thought out before executing. If you are completing a line of poles, set your horse up to head straight down the middle, not to approach from one side or at an angle. If you are going to pick up an object, is it going to be cleaner and quieter if you come in at an angle? Should you sidepass? Walk up to it from behind?
Have all of your approaches and traveling routes planned out, just like you plan the obstacle itself and you will set yourself up for a successful pattern!
We would love to have you join us in our next show, where you can compete from your own barnyard! Check us out at www.virtualobstacleshows.com or look us up on facebook. If you have a question for our judges, email us or post it to our facebook page.
to approach from one side or at an angle. If you are going to pick up an object, is it going to be cleaner and quieter if you come in at an angle? Should you sidepass? Walk up to it from behind?
Have all of your approaches and traveling routes planned out, just like you plan the obstacle itself and you will set yourself up for a successful pattern!
We would love to have you join us in our next show, where you can compete from your own barnyard! Check us out at www.virtualobstacleshows.com or look us up on facebook. If you have a question for our judges, email us or post it to our facebook page.
correct frame of mind to complete the obstacle. If this means slowing or even stopping before approaching an obstacle, do so. A judge would rather see that you know your horse well enough to know they need a moment to think than to see you just rush in and they have a breakdown mid-maneuver.
On the other end, most patterns do have a time limit of three to three and a half minutes. If you have completed an obstacle on one side of your pen and your next obstacle is at the opposite, it may be worth it, time wise, for you to jog across the pen in a controlled manner. This way you have more time to properly execute an obstacle instead of rushing.
Approaching obstacles should also be thought out before executing. If you are completing a line of poles, set your horse up to head straight down the middle, not to approach from one side or at an angle. If you are going to pick up an object, is it going to be cleaner and quieter if you come in at an angle? Should you sidepass? Walk up to it from behind?
We would love to have you join us in our next show, where you can compete from your own barnyard! If you have a question for our judges, email us or post it to our facebook page.
VOS winner Dawn Howell
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