I have done three local extreme cowboy races (they are NOT EXCA sanctioned races) for the last three years. They were judged all three years by a top EXCA trainer/rider in our area (Bill Cameron) and the 1st two years by another top trainer (don’t know if he ever competed in any races) and this year by my trainer (Matt Sheridan, who has judge EXCA races and has won NFQHA trail & ranch versatility buckles). My horse and I placed 6th out of 43 (?) riders in the first race, so made top 10 and then placed 6th. In the 2nd race, I was coming off ACL replacement surgery and we missed top 10 by 1/4 of a point. :rolleyes: This year we tied for 4th out of 50 riders, so again made Top 10, and then placed 7th (jumps were my downfall!). With that long explanation of my experience, here’s what I’d say:
There is an emphasis on speed, even though they always say there isnt. However, what they want is speed with control (i.e., GOOD horsemanship). Those in our races who went fast and were out of control or on the verge of being out of control DID NOT place in the top ten. Also, while not paramount, time IS a part of the race and is factored into the scores. It’s just not supposed to be the ulitmate factor (although they do announce times after each run and emphasize who’s “fastest”. :rolleyes:) But the winner this year … a MULE!! And you know they are not that fast, LOL. But this Mule was deadly accurate and never hestitated at any obstacle. Just think of your time as an obstacle. You want to be fast, but on the set obstacles you want to be accurrate. You do both well and you’re good to go!
We were told this year (you’ll want to check with your trainer) that in the preliminary run, horesemanship is NOT considered between the obstalces only while you are doing the obstacle. So those going fast between the obstalces weren’t necessarily judged on that, but how they approached and left an obstacle was.
Horsemanship WAS judged throughout the ride in the Top Ten run, so even between obstacles you were judged.
They don’t mind horses that hesitate and look at an obstalce, but if you stop they could take that as a refusal and it also takes up time.
They wanted accuracy, obedience and a loose rein. Got lots of points if you did the obstacles with a loose rein.
When you do the walk through make sure you question the Judges if you have ANY questions or confusion. That’s the time to clarify what you have to do. If you don’t do it then, there’s no complaining about it after.
Because you have to go fast between obstacles and slow down to do obstalces, you must make sure your horse can do that. Alot of horses got really hot from the fast part that they couldn’t (wouldn’t) slow to do the obstacle.
Read the EXCA sample obstacles and make sure you can do those. If you can do those, obstacles you encounter on the course will be a piece of cake. But make sure you practice all possible configurations. One we had in this year’s top ten was to load the horse in a 2H straight load trailer. That’s what my horse rides in, but with the divider out. She’d load half way and then come out. :lol: Should have practiced that!!
Relax, breathe and HAVE FUN! Don’t be concerned about the other runs because you never know where anyone places until they tally up the scores.
