The competition highlights the high level of training in both the human and the horse required for Horse Agility.

The course is made up of ten obstacles with a Leading Test for Starter and First Levels (see below) between obstacle 5 and 6.

Each obstacle is numbered and marked with a red flag or marker on the right and white on the left.

The competitor chooses the gait to suit the part of the course that they are completing unless there is a part of the course in which a gait is obligatory.

Competitors may walk the course.

The Levels...

Starter – easy obstacles designed to instill confidence and courage into the horse and handler with a Leading test between obstacles 5 and 6.

First Level – As above but more challenging such as longer bridges and higher A ramps with a Leading Test between obstacles 5 and 6.

Medium Level – As above, against the clock.

Advanced Level – as above against the clock and with one obstacle being a wild card which is not on the official list and which may not have been seen by the competitor before.

Freestyle Agility – As Medium level but with no headcollar or lead rope on the horse. The horse works loose over the course under the direction of his handler.

Wild Agility – a course of 10 natural obstacles over at least 5km, competed against the clock, horse on headcollar and leadrope.

NOTE: People can enter Non-Competitively (NC) into any class which is the correct height class for them whatever level they have qualified for UNLESS the class has been designated a non-NC class for health and Safety reasons.


The Obstacle Course...

The course consists of a number of obstacles from a given list. At least eight of the obstacles in the competition must be from this list, the remaining obstacles may be designed by the course builder to keep competitors on their toes!

Examples of obstacles:

1. Tunnel
2. Seesaw
3. Jump
4. Passing through a Curtain
5. Weaving poles/cones
6. Hoop
7. Water

8. Crossing a Tarpaulin
9. Roll ball
10. Passing through a trailer
11. Carry a light load
12. Pick up feet
13. Step onto a podium
14. Stand still in circle
15. Pass through a narrow gap
16. Back through two poles
17. Back over poles
18. Walk through labyrinth
19. Climb through branches/poles
20. Crossing a bridge
21. Passing through a gateway.
23. Picking up feet.
24. Crossing over an A frame.
 


Test of Obedience

This test occurs between obstacles 5 and 6 at Starter and First levels.

Lead – run at least 40m (about 150feet) (A-B-C) very fast turn walk back C-B very slow, stop at B stand for10 secs, walk very fast to C

At both levels the lead rope must be loose without any pulling on behalf of the horse or handler. Any position of the handler is acceptable from just in front of the horse to no further back than the horses shoulder any position is acceptable. The aim is to maintain this leading position.

Higher marks are obtained if the leading position is maintained, marks deducted if the position of the handler changes throughout the exercise.