Special Olympics 2016 Trail Course & Barrel Pattern

A reader shared with me that the Indiana Special Olympics had some great trail patterns this year, so I would like to share them with you! There is English and Western Trail, and a Stake Race. The whole document can be found at Special Olympics Indiana 2016 EKS Games Equestrian Riding Patterns, which is where I got the images from. All credit goes to Special Olympics Indiana – thank you for the great resource!

I love long trail patterns! It’s so fun for riders to put together so many skills, and takes up the whole class. Be aware that it may take so long for some riders that you only get through the pattern once or twice. It’s probably something you want to work on for several weeks. Some riders may need the course made shorter, others may get it quickly so you can then rearrange the course or have them do it backwards. Enjoy!

ENGLISH TRAIL

Walk whole thing, or trot or canter where dotted arrows.

1. Enter Arena at a WALK
2. WALK through “L” shaped logs on ground
3. WALK to MAILBOX and pick-up ring
4. WALK or TROT or CANTER from MAILBOX to Stand, WEAVING through cones
5. HALT at STAND, HANG RING on POLE
6. WALK through L, HALT, BACK to CORNER and WALK out again (Level A)
7. WALK over logs/poles 8. Walk to Barrel, turn to RIGHT and make a circle
9. WALK or TROT or CANTER to FINISH

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WESTERN TRAIL

1. Enter cross roads at a WALK, turn RIGHT and pick up TROT.
2. WALK/TROT weaving through cones.
3. Return to WALK and enter square through gap on LEFT, pick up Ring in MAILBOX with RIGHT HAND.
4. Cross square on diagonal and place ring on STAND with LEFT HAND, then exit square.
5. Weave through barrels leaving first one on LEFT SIDE.
6. After last barrel turn RIGHT and pick up WALK/TROT/CANTER on STRAIGHT, turn LEFT past circles.
7. Continue WALK/TROT/CANTER going through BOX and crossroads, come back to TROT after passing square.
8. WALK/TROT LEFT around first CIRCLE and RIGHT around second CIRCLE, then RETURN to WALK.
9. HALT in BOX, horses head and tail must be in box.
10. WALK into cross roads and turn RIGHT. Go through FINISH.

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STAKE RACE

As you see it.

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Note: This is not professional advice, this is a blog. I am not liable for what you do with or how you use this information. The activities explained in this blog may not be fit for every rider, riding instructor, or riding center depending on their current condition and resources. Use your best personal judgment!

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