Starting Cowboy Challenge
Frequently Asked Questions
The Challenge is designed to test a horse's confidence, training and trust in its person, as well as the rider's cues and direction. Horse and rider combinations compete over a course of 13 obstacles and are judged on softness, varying speed - and importantly - horsemanship.
What breed of horse can I ride?
Anything! We have had mini's, OTT Thoroughbreds, Friesians, Clydesdales, Kaimanawas, Morgans, Quarter horses, Warmbloods and every kind of cross breed and bush pony.
What kind of riding background do I need?
Your riding background is not as important as an open mind and willingness to learn. Our membership has a diverse mix of Western riders, dressage, pony club, show jumpers, hunters, happy hackers and ‘bush’ riders. This sport is about growing a partnership and trust with your mount, so you will learn new skills along the way.
What kind of obstacles can I expect?
The obstacles are based on ideas like Over, Under, Through, Beside – and there are a huge variety. There are only 13 in each round. You might have to ride over a bridge, drag a log, carry a tarp, wave a flag, pick up your horse’s feet, ride up and down over a mound, step through water, or ride some circles, come to a stop, and back up. You are judged on each individual obstacle, but also on your overall horsemanship over the whole course.
What do I need to practice before my first event?
While many people like to watch a few competitions first and try a few club practice days, some people just jump straight in and have a go.
Try to get your horse used to being around the obstacles, get them used to approaching a barrel and picking up an object from the top of it. It's a good idea to get them used to dragging things on a rope, and flags flapping around them as well. You can also introduce your horse to walking over a solid obstacle like a bridge, and wading through water.
Many competitions have a practice day in the weeks or days before. Take advantage of this if you can. You won’t have access to the full course, but it’s a great opportunity to try lots of different obstacles and see if your horse has any "blind spots". Practice days are a great day out for young horses as well.
What do I wear?
Jeans (no jodhpurs or jodhpur jeans ) and a long sleeved, collared shirt. These do not need to be expensive, and as plain or fancy as you like.
Helmets are compulsory for Youth (18yrs and under) and must meet NZ Safety Standards.
Other classes can choose to wear a helmet depending on the venue. Some venues require a helmet for all divisions. If not a helmet, riders must wear a western hat - no caps!
Boots must have a heel.
What gear do I need?
For Lead Rein, Beginner, Youth and Rookie you don’t need a Western saddle – so English is fine.
Intermediate and Open riders - Western saddles are compulsory.
Bitted or bitless is your choice, but no gag bits, tie downs, drop nosebands, martingales or mechanical hackamores.
What does Points Approved mean?
If you enter a PA competition and get a placing, you will earn points. If you gain enough over the season, then you will move up a division the next season (eg Rookie to Intermediate).
Some competitions have Beginners and other non points classes, or the entire challenge is non-points, and are judged for your own learning, but no official points are allocated. It is a less pressured introduction to competition.
What do Round One and Two mean?
Usually the two rounds are over two days, though sometimes both are squeezed into one day. Round One is the first course of 13 obstacles. The top six riders (sometimes eight) qualify into Round Two, which will be another 13 obstacles. This round decides the final placings.
If you enter but don’t get into Round Two, you get to go home if you want to, or stay and cheer the others on. A big part of Cowboy Challenge competitions is the camping and social time – and yum shared meals and barbeques!
What kind of course can I expect?
There are 13 obstacles in each round, but the courses can vary quite a bit. Some are in flat paddocks and/or arenas, some over gentle rolling country, and others have hills and even a bit of forest or bush. Obstacles also vary, from natural such as logs and ditches, to 'man-made' such as plastic drums, poles and pool noodles. Giant stuffed toys, tinsel and blow up water toys have also made an appearance. Usually a course takes between 10 - 20 minutes to complete, depending on how spread out it is.
What is the Horsemanship score?
Riders are scored on each individual obstacle, but the Horsemanship score is judged over the entire round. A relaxed, happy horse and excellent partnership will gain a higher score, whereas an anxious horse, gaping mouth and poor communication or partnership will gain a lower score.
What is the Rule Book?
This is the Cowboy Challenge bible – it has the competition rules, a list of all the possible obstacles you may encounter over a season, how to tackle them, and how you will be judged, and also answers pretty much every question you may have about Cowboy Challenge. Download the Rule Book off the website and LEARN IT!
What is the difference between the various club days and events?
Book a Slot is where a selection of obstacles is laid out in an enclosed arena. A small number of horses and handlers are allowed into each booked slot time to work through the obstacles, either ridden or in hand. Club days involve a more open area with a variety of obstacles over a larger space. Everyone can turn up and play. There is often a fun 'have a go' course at the end - a great, non serious introduction to competition (audience participation is encouraged). We also have one-off fun days which might involve a combination of a practice day and games - and lunch! Some events are for everyone, some are for members only.
I like the idea of all this, but do I have to compete?
No. Lots of our members never compete. Others feel they may compete one day, but they - or their horse - are not quite ready. This is why we always have lots of club practice days, fun days and Book a Slot days, and various clinics when possible. There is something for everyone!