2023 9th Annual Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge

Our annual Arena Challenge, the 9th year in a row, will be held 14 October 2023. This event is a little unique in horse competition for non-Pro riders as       we try to blend different facets of multiple disciplines into an event where all riders can ride   and compete be they Cowboys, Dressage riders, Eventers, Team Ropers, Trail riders, and yes even Barrel Racers can compete on an even of a playing field as I can make it. Although the former has to keep their yippy dogs home. Sorry, I kind of always make the joke.  No offense to Barrel Racers!

My objective in this annual event, other than for competitors to have a safe and fun event, is to promote horsemanship and the desire to increase knowledge and abilities. The focus on horsemanship is paramount. I try to design each competitive division (Stockhorse, Open, Intermediate and Novice) course as a safe but doable challenge the horse and rider. Each course is a combination of basic, intermediate or advanced maneuvers and obstacles as appropriate to the competitive division. Common maneuvers and obstacles that have been used in the past and may be used this year include: turn on the hocks; turn on the forehand; backing straight; backing in a serpentine; backing in an L shape; backing in a circle; trot through serpentine cones, move bending through switchback vertical poles; crossing a bridge; trot around a short circle using the Garrocha pole; trotting tight figures 8's; go through a cowboy curtain; retrieve ball from bucket and place on cone; open/close a gate; cross a tarp; retrieve and put on a slicker; dismount/remount; ground tying; backing a horse in hand; trailer loading; crossing ground poles; leg yield; shoulders in; transition from slow walk to fast walk; transition from slow trot to faster trot; canter departures on designated lead; simple lead changes; walk to trot transitions; trot departure to a canter transition; side passing straight; side passing in L shape; and side passing with front feet on platform; and blind folding a horse and leading on ground are just representative of some of the tasks that a competitor may see.

I use some the same tasks over several years in a row to stress certain performance. One year the riders were required to dismount, stand in a box and back their horses using just a feel on their reins or get  down rope, then drop their reins/lead and walk away to demonstrate their horse ground tying. The next  year the same was required and an observer could   see who worked on it and who did not. Another task was draping a towel over their horse's head and leading their horse blindfolded, such as bringing a horse through the smoke of a fire or out of a burning barn.  

Photo at above right is Paola Talamas, who won the Horsemanship Award in the 2022 Challenge trotting her horse over the cloverleaf obstacles on a nice loose rein.  

It can be challenging for a working cowboy to have to cross an arena on a leg yield or a shoulder's in maneuver. Likewise, when a Dressage competitor has to draw a   slicker off the fence and put in on, or, open and close a gate, may be challenging as well. Some may find an 8 foot turn around box hard to do on their horse with forward momentum, and yet others crossing a long narrow bridge difficult. A canter departure on a given lead will be easy for some, while others may find backing their horse in a circle or a serpentine is something they may need to practice.  Photo above is Celeste Hudgens who ran away with the Open division honors.  

In the Stockhorse division rider’s will be required to throw several loops on roping dummies and perform other roping and ranch horse related tasks. Most rider's in this division can throw head shots and heel trap loops - it's their stock in trade for Cowboys and Team Ropers. But I'll ask them to something different like throwing a loop to their off side and pivot their horse underneath the loop facing up on the roping dummy. Stockhorse competitors may al.so have work their horses on a Pro Cutter flag.  Other tasks may include dragging a heavy log; throw a loop around a barrel and trot around the barrel feeding out their slack and wrapping it around the barrel; and, trailer load their horse. Photo above is Don Carpenter, a retired rancher from Arizona and competitive team roper, who has previously won Stockhorse Division in past years.

We like to stress that the rider is really evaluating 

him or herself and not competing. In fact, it's nice 

to see someone complete their run and tell tips to others yet to compete. And in the lead up to the 

Arena Challenge, I'll out on several weekend clinics for registered competitors. These clinics are not practice for the Challenge, but are really problem solving sessions, working on getting horses softer 

and handier. I try to limit entries to this Challenge 

to 28 and usualy have 8-10 people on a list in case 

a competitor drops out at the last moment to open 

up a slot.

We are thankful for the great support in the past from many companies. Notable supporters for past Arena Challenges include the Cashel Company, Covenant Special Projects, Tractor Supply Company, Animal Health International, VCM Equine Management, Starr Western Wear, The Edge Equine Co., Camel-Bak and Hoof Wraps. When the awards ceremony has ended and everyone has been fed lunch and collected awards and prizes, I'd like to think that each and every competitor believes they value for themself and their horse when competing this event.