What should the measurements be for these trail obstacles?

Question

I have been doing trail for years and have alwasy made makeshift obstacles, (yard gates, tarps etc) but i want to make some proper obstacles. I need measurements for:-

* Bridge (length, width, height and what wood is best, also, the bridge often have a rise and fall, what shoud the height be at the first and last step and at the centre of the bridge, or simply a flat bridge)

* Gate (height, length) I have used gates from home before, and they work, but i want a correct one. Also, if anyone knows of measurements for a rope gate. I am designing a course for younger youth at my Regional club.

Answer 1

try contacting the AQHA and 4-H organizations on the rules and regulations and other breed organizations

Answer 2

I guess the first thing you need to know is - what rule book will the shows follow.  I have the APHA rule book and I can tell you what they require, but it may vary a fair amount in AQHA and others, so it might not help you much.  So instead of answering in great detail I'd really recommend you contact AQHA and ask for the 2008 rule book.  It will tell you what distance is allowed between walk-overs, trot-overs, and everything you need to know.

I do have a couple of tips for you, though.

Buy as many rail posts as you can afford, in various lengths ranging from 10-14 feet.  If possible, spray paint some of them in various bright colors, you can even make some striped.  Poles are probably one of your best investments, you can do walk/trot and lope overs, you can use them to set up L and Z back throughs, you can make boxes for turn arounds, etc.  You can never have too many poles, believe me!

Next, my husband made me a bridge this year, we followed the Paint rule book since that's the breed I show under.  They allow both a flat bridge and a bridge with a ramp at each edge.  I took someone's advice, and made myself a good sized flat bridge, and then made removable ramps that I can add or take away from the bridge.  That means I can vary my bridge frequently so my horse sees both types.

I use my jump standards for a rope gate.  Once again, make sure you find out how far apart is the minimum for the gate and go from there.  You should practice opening gates from both the right and left side.

I did not make myself a water box, but I do use tarps and clear plastic (held down on all four sizes by rails) as walk overs.

You will need some good quality pylons, you can buy them at safety supply or auto supply stores.

And try to find yourself some knicknack type junky plastic flowers and flags and stuff, and frequently use that stuff to spice up your bridge and walk-overs.  It is tough for horses to see that stuff at a show if they don't see all the trashy add-ons at home!   Old Christmas trees or big flower pots are good as they are often used to decorate the trail course.

One of the best tips I have is - make sure you set up entire courses and make them close together.  One of the hardest parts of trail (for me, anyhow) is moving from one obstacle to another neatly.  If you don't practice this at home, its tough at a show.  Often they will have you backthrough an L and immediantely (like 3 feet away) there is a gate.  You need to know the best way to get out of the back and into the gate.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

The minimun for the bridge is 3ft wide by 6ft long, and the gate constructed so as not to endanger horse or rider. there are a lot of different gates and bridges, it depends really on what type you are designing. A Basic gate wide enough for a horse to walk through would be about as wide as a bridge. Keeping in mind that at a gate you may back at an angle or side pass a bit.