The B.C.
Competitive Trail
Riders Association is a non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting and improving the rapidly growing sport of Competitive
Trail Riding in B.C.
It is patterned after N.A.T.R.A. (North
American Trail Riding Conference)
and operates in conjunction with C.a.L.D.R.A. (Canadian Long
Distance Riding Association).
To stimulate interest in the breeding and use of good horses, possessing stamina and hardiness.
To demonstrate the value of the type and soundness in the selection of horses.
To provide instruction in the proper methods of conditioning and training horses for competitive riding.
To encourage good horsemanship and to demonstrate the best techniques of caring for horses during and after long rides without the aids of artificial methods, stimulants, or drugs.
In Competitive
Trail Riding, the objective is to work all the horses in the same
Level over the same well marked course in the same pre-determined
amount of time. This forms a basis for fair comparison on which the contestants are
judged, along with soundness, condition, behaviour and attitude. Amomg other things,
Pulse, Resperation, and Dehydration are monitored by qualified Vets Before,
During, and After the ride. These checks are
important factors in the final determination of the winning entrants.
Although a CTR is not a race, both timing and pacing of your horse is crucial
to succeeding in these events. Each horse starts the ride with a perfect score of
300 and then points are detucted for any deterioration in the horse's condition or any
time infractions, either too fast or too slow a completion time.
These are the maximum average speeds but because of the large variety of terrain with varying degrees of difficulty in British Columbia, some rides have slower average speeds. (photo, 1 mile from the finish of a 2 Day 80 mile ride)
Level I - 12 - 20 miles - maximum average speed of 5 mph.
Level II - 20 - 30 miles - maximum average speed of 6.5 mph.
Level III - 30 - 50 miles - maximum average speed of 7 mph.
Level III Two-day-ride - 30 - 50 miles per day - " 7 mph.
In each Level, competitors are divided into 3 divisions. This is based on a combination of the riders weight plus all that the horse will be carrying or the rider's age if a Junior.
- Lightweight Division - Rider and Tack - 140 - 180 lbs.
- Heavyweight Division - Rider and Tack - 180 lbs. & over
- Junior Division - 16 years & under as of January 1st. that year.
Note: Juniors 10 and under must be
accompanied by a parent or senior supervisor. All Juniors must
wear protective headgear. Any Junior may enter and compete as a "senior"
in the appropriate weight division.
Note: In order to enter Level I, horses must be a minimum of 4
years of age. All horses entered in Level II and Level III must be a minimum of 5
years of age.
Any type or breed can compete in CTR. The only requirement (beside the minimum age) being that the horse is sound and sufficiently conditioned. Expensive horses and flashy equipment are not pre-requisites.
Annual Provincial Achievment Awards
Perpetual Mileage Accumulation Awards
HCBC Insurance Coverage
For More Information Contact:
BCCTRA Secretary
3803 - 35A Street
Vernon, B.C.
V1T 6C6
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