DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF JOB TITLES​​

​

​

A. RIDE CHAIR A ride chair is chosen months in advance of the ride, is responsible for all facets of the ride, has leadership qualities, is thoroughly familiar with the NATRC Rule Book and manuals, is preferably an NATRC experienced competitor, has knowledge of all routes and general trails in the area, is able to delegate authority and responsibilities, and be especially hospitable. Delegation of duties and responsibilities to key ride personnel and seeing that they are carried out in a timely fashion will ensure the ride’s success.

 

B. RIDE SECRETARY RIDE SECRETARY Pre-Ride (working in conjunction with ride chair): 1. Become thoroughly familiar with the management documents on the NATRC website and the contents of the packet received from NATRC.

 

2. Confer with the ride chair about your specific duties. Coordinate with ride chair who will keep track of all expenses, receipts, and depositing checks as they arrive.

3. After the Six-Week Ride Progress Report is received by the NATRC office, the scorecards, Rule Books and other materials will be mailed to the ride secretary. a. Read the Scorecard Instructions carefully and print a copy for each judge’s book.

 

b. Handle the cards carefully. Any pressure can cause marks on the copies below.

 

c. Arrange the cards in notebooks for horse, horsemanship and Leisure with dividers between them with tabs for numbers. (If you have two sets of judges, you will need a notebook for each judge.) Use a backpack or bag to carry notebooks and supplies. d. Each judge will need several black ballpoints, 2 red ballpoints, one felt tip pen, several pencils, note pads, white out, erasers, pencil sharpener, bug spray, tissues and sunscreen. Extra snacks are a nice addition. e. Wait until the week before the ride to label the cards and assign rider numbers as you may have cancellations.

 

4. If using labels for the scorecards, you will need size 1” X 2 5/8”; 1 label for each layer of scorecard. Print practice labels on plain paper to ensure you don’t waste the actual labels.

 

5. Locate and prepare the riders’ numbers (usually pinnies or vests owned by the region or club). Note any missing numbers before you start assigning them. Usually each division has different colored vests.

 

6. In some regions, riders have “purchased” permanently assigned numbers. Honor these when you assign numbers.

 

7. Organize riders’ packets. You may use a large Ziploc bag or envelope for each rider.

 

Include: a. A halter tag, rider pinny, and stable number (index card); all three the same number.

b. Sponsors’ brochures.

c. Any extra items or snacks that you can get donated.

d. After the numbers are assigned, add division specific maps, a ride agenda, rider list, special information for first time riders (in their packets only), and a membership form for non-members’ packets.

8. Plan and practice how you will print rider lists, check-in payment records, etc. Get ORGANIZED!

9. Print P&R cards from the P&R Template (card stock holds up better than paper; use a different color for each planned P&R), or coordinate with P&R chair to have them printed.

10. Print timing sheets, awards sheets, Rules Interpreter Instructions and Report form, ride schedules, meal tickets, and anything that can be done in advance. Prepare job specific packets for key ride personnel. For example, the ride timer’s packet will contain timing sheets, ride agenda, ride maps, rider list, and meal tickets. If you are using a laptop and printer at the ride, save all of these files on that laptop.

11. Prepare two notebooks of forms to be signed at check in: one with Rider and State Liability Forms and one with Worker and State Liability Forms.

12. Email or mail liability forms to junior riders requesting they have the signatures of both parents.

13. The RMS automatically handles member and non-member fees. RMS can generate a list of nonmembers, and you can request a list of members from the NATRC office and check against that. Settle any membership disputes well before the ride. Week before the ride – Pack Carefully!

 

1. Print hard copies of everything needed for check-in and to finish packets.

2. Add last minute information such as rider lists and maps to the packets for the riders and key ride personnel.

3. If using a laptop or computer: a. Be sure to have everything that is associated with the ride backed up on a removable storage device. 7/4/24 NATRCTM and the left facing, hill climbing horse and rider are trademarks of the North American Trail Ride Conference, Inc.

b. Be sure to have one hard copy of the spreadsheet you are using for registration so you can continue if you have a computer failure.

c. Bring a surge protector strip, extension cords, printer, ink & paper.

4. If not taking a laptop, print multiple copies of the rider lists to be updated by hand during the ride.

5. Label the horse, horsemanship and Leisure Division cards either by hand or with printed labels. By waiting until this week, you will save re-doing or wasting cards due to cancellations and changes.

6. Get enough cash to make change or return deposits.

7. Add last minute updates to packets for key ride personnel and judges.

8. Finish labeling and numbering the cards in the judges’ notebooks; at least one vet, one horsemanship, and one Leisure. Put a copy of the Scorecard Instructions, ride agenda, riders lists and awards sheets in each notebook.

9. Find yourself one or two assistants who can help you with check-in and act as gofers to deliver updates to other key personnel and judges.

 

Day of the Ride 1. Arrive early and set up your Office and get your assistant(s) together. a. Put up an “OFFICE” sign so riders can find you.

b. Put up your state equine liability law sign.

c. Have cash box handy.

d. If using a laptop, verify your power source.

e. Have all riders and workers packets handy.

f. Have liability waivers and pens available as well as other materials for riders and workers.

2. Give packets to key personnel and scorecard books to judges’ secretaries. 3. Check in riders.

a. Collect fees.

b. Make sure waivers are signed.

c. Disperse packets to riders.

d. Have blank entry forms available for walk-ins.

e. Make new cards or changes to cards as necessary. (Send to the judges’ secretaries if checkin has started.)

f. Make sure, with help of the ride chair, that all workers/volunteers sign both liability waivers.

 

End of Ride 1. Be available to help with scoring, awards presentation, etc.

2. At final check, collect rider numbers. Make sure that judges and secretaries have awards lists and forms, including any special awards.

3. When final scores are tallied, make sure you have all the scorecards including pulls, DO-1 and DO2 scorecards. Ensure that the judges’ secretaries have done all of the following:

a. Separate top sheets from the riders’ copies.

b. Pair horse and horsemanship sheets in order of placing by ride type, division and class to facilitate data entry when you get home. (You do not need to update RMS data or Excel sheet at this time. Everyone wants to get awards done and go home.)

c. Put riders’ copies in numerical order to be passed out after awards.

4. Be available to provide top copies of score sheets in case riders find errors before the judges leave. Only the judges may change placings.

5. Pack up all of your materials.

 

Post Ride 1. Check the math on the scorecards.

a. If there are errors that do not change placings, simply change and initial.

b. If an error creates a tie or changes placings, make the math correction (not the placings) and send a note with the scorecards to the data chair so that judges and competitors can be contacted to change placings. The NATRC office will correct errors found post ride.

2. Coordinate with the ride chair to enter the scores and placings in RMS.

a. Coordinate with ride chair to proof in RMS the fees and stats form for number or riders, sweepstakes horse, judges and ride management personnel. Complete your data within 10 days after your ride.

Contact Ruth Mesimer (ruthm9496@gmail.com) or Sarah Smith (natrc@natrc.org) that the ride reports are ready for downloading.

 

3. Within 10 days after your ride, coordinate with ride chair to mail the score cards to Ruth Mesimer, 6818 N Elm Street, Pleasant Valley (or Liberty), MO 64068. 7/4/24 NATRCTM and the left facing, hill climbing horse and rider are trademarks of the North American Trail Ride Conference, Inc. 4. Coordinate with ride chair to mail the Fees and Statistics form, fees’ payment, and unused scorecards to NATRC, PO Box 969, Beatrice, NE 68310. 5. Pack up ride pinnies/vests and equipment for the region’s next ride. 6. Organize the materials for next year and assist ride chair with final reports.

 

C. TRAILMASTER(S) Usually thought of as assistant ride chair, or may be the ride chair, having a thorough knowledge of all ride chair duties.

1. Be responsible for and/or direct all timing and marking of trails.

2. Assist ride chair in making maps, time and distance instructions to riders, as well as written instructions to ride personnel.

3. Assist ride chair in all facets of the ride and delegation of duties.

4. After introductions by ride chair, conduct thorough pre-ride briefing.

5. At all times keep an updated list, by name and number, of all riders that started the ride. Note all pulled riders.

6. Carry first aid material in your vehicle. Know driving times to all locations on the trail. Take maps, time schedule, rider list & Rule Book with you!

7. Alert and position starter and timers. See that they understand briefing instructions to riders.

8. Suggest check-out position for judges.

9. Dispatch point rider and/or lead jeep and gatekeepers.

10. Verify all vehicles have valid insurance and all drivers have valid drivers’ licenses.

11. Check on readiness of vehicles, gatekeepers and all working personnel. Make sure that all personnel have cell phone numbers for you and other officials. If you are using radios, coordinate radio operators. Communicate as necessary to ensure that everyone arrives at chosen location on time.

12. Start ride promptly at start location at the published time. Prearrange starting order as per briefing.

13. Write down times first and last horses leave.

14. Dispatch safety riders/ personnel to follow last horse.

15. See that judges and secretaries leave for first observation point.

16. Alert timers, lunch wagon, and ambulance driver to be at lunch stop early.

17. Depart for first observation point and direct ride as necessary. Check by phone or radio from time to time on activities and locations of all personnel.

18. See that judges and P&R personnel are in place to catch first horses at a.m. P&R stop(s) and judging observation points.

19. If lunch stop or any other point on the trail has minimum and maximum arrival times, the trailmaster along with timers must be at lunch stop or designated point prior to arrival of the first horse. The trailmaster should check with the timers to see that the minimum and maximum times are being properly observed and recorded.

20. See that timers are properly recording all lunch arrivals and departures and calling riders out when it is time to leave.

21. Arrange for trailering out of any horses pulled at lunch or P&R stops and that a trailer remains available as long as the judges are concerned about any particular horse. Keep judges informed of any pulled horses/riders.

22. Arrange for timers to be at finish line well before arrival of first horse.

23. Check with judges for procedures and times required for in-camp examination in order that timers may notify riders on arrival in camp.

24. Assist in any in-camp examinations by judges.

25. Check with timers to be sure all riders (competitors and safety) have returned to camp. Ensure that the timers get any hold times from observations or P&Rs.

26. Check to make sure all personnel have safely returned to camp.

27. Check with rules interpreter for any suggestions, criticism or complaints.

28. Work with the ride chair to ensure that any involved riders are informed of penalty points assessed for time or rule infractions. All judges should get a list of riders with time penalty points, indicating rider number and total minutes early or late.

29. If 2-day ride, prepare for next day's briefing.

30. Circulate among riders and workers, promote public relations and as much hospitality as possible.

31. With ride chair take part in prearranged clinic, etc.

32. If necessary, assist in presentation of awards.

33. Assist in orderly departure of riders and clean-up of camp.

34. In case of a severe weather event that interrupts the ride, a suggested plan is to • See that the riders/ crews/judges get safely back to camp 7/4/24 NATRCTM and the left facing, hill climbing horse and rider are trademarks of the North American Trail Ride Conference, Inc. • Have a rider meeting, take role call, and make sure all are accounted for • Discuss possible outcomes • Schedule another meeting within a reasonable amount of time, 30-60” for updates • Track the weather radar if possible • When safe, the trail master can determine if the trails are safe enough to continue use • Confer with ride chair, judges, P&R chair, timer and RI about proceeding with the ride, keeping in mind the required P&R’s, metabolic checks, distances, ride time, etc. • Relay the plan to the riders at the scheduled meeting. Ask for understanding and cooperation. • Field any rider concerns and get them back on the trail ASAP safely and with an organized plan.

 

D. RULES INTERPRETER NATRC Rule Book Section 3: The Rules Interpreter will not be a family member of the Ride Chair or judges. (Section 4 D1b) This person must be a member in good standing, approved by NATRC and thoroughly familiar with the NATRC rules. Ride Management may use separate individuals for each division. Ride Management should introduce the Rules Interpreter at all ride briefings. Ride Management should avoid using the Rules Interpreter to perform other duties (for example, secretary, timer, etc.). Upon request by a rider or ride official, the Rules Interpreter shall interpret the NATRC rules to management and judges and process any disputes concerning rule interpretations. In the event of a dispute, the Rules Interpreter will confer with both judges and Ride Management to enable them to arrive at a prompt decision. If agreement between judges and management is not forthcoming, then the Rules Interpreter, on behalf of NATRC, is authorized to make a ruling in order to settle the questions. Any such ruling must be reported in writing to NATRC. If a Rules Interpreter sees a rule infraction in process, he or she must notify management and judges so corrective steps can be taken. The Rules Interpreter will complete an efficiency report and mail it to the NATRC office within 72 hours. You may use a second rules interpreter for the Leisure Division.

 

1. A rules interpreter must be selected at least 2 months in advance of your ride, be a member of NATRC, be thoroughly familiar with NATRC rules, be level headed and a good mediator. The ideal rules interpreter: a national or regional board member, other ride chair, judge or experienced NATRC rider. It is customary to extend the same courtesies to the rules interpreter that are afforded the judges.

2. List the rules interpreter on the Six-Week Ride Progress Report.

24 3. Send all ride information and directions to the rules interpreter.

4. Provide meals and overnight accommodations for the rules interpreter. Some ride chairs reimburse gasoline expenses.

5. Provide a rules interpreter packet containing ride maps with the time and distance schedule, number of P&Rs, lunch, ride agenda, rider list, name tag, duties listed below, and Rules Interpreter Report form.

6. Introduce rules interpreter to all ride officials and riders at the first ride briefing.

7. Make arrangements for the rules interpreter’s transportation to observe as many aspects of the ride as possible, including the P&R stops, ride procedures, judging spots, Two-Mile Point, trail conditions, markings, etc.

8. Do not give the rules interpreter any “compromising duties” such as trailmaster, timer, P&R team, etc. See RI Report and Responsibilities at www.natrc.org.

 

E. JUDGE’S RECORDING SECRETARY NATRC Rule Book Section 3: There shall be a minimum of one secretary for each judge. It shall be the duty of the secretary to officially record the findings of the judges, weighmaster, timers and P&R teams during the course of the ride. Secretaries shall refrain from discussing the findings or opinions of the judges with competitors or other observers. See Judge’s Recording Secretary at www.natrc.org.

 

F. OFFICIAL TIMERS NATRC Rule Book Sections 3 and 5: Each sanctioned ride will provide a timer and recorder for each division unless the ride is so arranged that one timer and recorder can adequately record the times for all divisions. The records kept by the timers are to be presented to the Ride Chair, who must in turn inform riders and all judges of any early/late arrivals. Barring unforeseen circumstances, this shall be accomplished within two hours of the completion of each day's ride. The notification of penalty points must be done prior to final placings. Timers should be alert, prompt, write neatly and legibly, be good with figures and familiar with timing rules in the Rule Book. They must have an accurate watch or clock, a backup watch, a clip board and several pencils. See Official Timers at www.natrc.org.

 

G. P&R Chair See P&R Chair at www.natrc.org

 

H. P&R TIMER NATRC Rule Book Section 3: A sanctioned ride must have an individual at each P&R stop to record the arrival time of each rider. See P&R Chair-Timer-Organization at www.natrc.org.

 

I. P&R TEAMS Select team members for their efficient, courteous and pleasant manner. Teams must be pre-trained by management or in case of an emergency pre-trained by the judge or P&R chair prior to the start of the ride. Members can be selected from your own club as well as be relatives or friends of your riders. See P&R Instructions for Volunteers at www.natrc.org. 25

 

J. P&R PROCEDURES See P&R Chair-Timer-Organization at www.natrc.org.

​

The main purpose of using P&R teams is to rapidly and efficiently check a large number of horses without delays. These teams are an important part of your ride as they allow the judges to devote full time to observing the horses. P&R readings are a measure of condition and an important safeguard for the prevention of over-exertion and undue fatigue. P&R's are not meaningful unless they are done uniformly and correctly!

 

NATRC RULE BOOK SECTION 6: Incoming P&R's shall be optional at the discretion of judges and management. The recovery/outgoing P&R will be taken 10 minutes after arrival at the P&R stop. A rider may immediately request a recheck of their horse’s outgoing pulse or respiration (or both). If this recheck is requested, it will be taken by a different P&R person or team. Only one recheck shall be permitted. The pulse and/or respiration count from the recheck will apply. Please be considerate; work and talk quietly. Think about using a “library” demeanor. Use an experienced team for re-checks. P&R's should be taken on the left side of the horse and counted for 15 seconds. Using a watch with a second hand is preferred; begin and end counting on the quarter minute. Only the 15-second count is recorded on the cards and scorecards. It is acceptable for the rider to put up stirrup or loosen cinch as long as undue delay is not caused. If there is difficulty obtaining a count, it should be taken for a full minute: divide by 4 for 15-second recording. For purposes of equality, 1/2 count or mid-way, whether pulse or respiration, should be recorded as the lower reading. EXAMPLE: PULSE 12 1/2 SHOULD BE RECORDED 12. Announce all readings to the rider in a clear voice, properly record the pulse and respiration counts on the P&R card, and have the rider initial the card. However, under no circumstance should a P&R member attempt to interpret any results or discuss them with any competitor. If time allows, you may tell a new rider what the established normals are.

Established normals after 10-minute rest, 15 second count: PULSE, 8-12; RESPIRATION, 1-9

 

PULSE TAKER: Be familiar with all P&R procedures as outlined. The pulse is taken using a stethoscope placed on the horse's side just behind the left elbow. For novice pulse takers, it helps to push the stethoscope forward under the leg to be in front of the flesh on the ribs. If in-coming P&R's are requested, the pulse should be taken as soon as the rider dismounts and is placed in line. Approach the horse quietly and touch him gently but firmly before proceeding. Occasionally, the horse’s left leg is too far back to properly listen to the heart. In this situation, a P&R team member may ask the rider to move the horse’s leg forward to allow for proper stethoscope placement over the heart region. This should be done early enough that the horse can resettle if necessary. The pulse is counted for 15 seconds. The heartbeat consists of two sounds "lub-DUB". Occasionally a third sound is also heard. Each "lub-DUB" counts as ONE BEAT. Occasionally heartbeats will be difficult to hear due to horse's heavy breathing, excess fat cover, faint heart or outside wind conditions. If this occurs, get immediate help from P&R “Super Team” or another experienced team. Should a horse become excited during a pulse check, retake the pulse. Respiration team member will usually take a little longer than pulse taker. Move as a team to the next horse.

 

RESPIRATION TAKER: Be familiar with all P&R procedures as outlined. Using a watch with a second hand is preferred. A horse's respiration is best observed on the left lower abdomen or flank between the end of the rib cage and the hind leg. Each time the abdomen/flank goes out and in counts as ONE RESPIRATION. If you can get your watch and the silhouette outline of the lower abdomen in a line so the watch and in-andout movement are in one field of vision, the count can be made accurately without your eyes bouncing back and forth missing counts. 7/4/24 NATRCTM and the left facing, hill climbing horse and rider are trademarks of the North American Trail Ride Conference, Inc. Respirations are counted for 15 seconds. All breaths are counted regardless of how slow, rapid, deep or shallow the breath. There are no exemptions for any reason including breed of horse, weather factors, or rate of respiration, e.g. panting. Occasionally, a horse will take multiple inspirations to one expiration. If this occurs, you will see two or more rapid outward movements followed by one inward movement; this counts as one respiration. Should a horse whinny, snort or become excited while the respiration is being taken, recount the rate. Move as a team to next horse. UNRULY OR DIFFICULT HORSES: Get P&R Chair or judge to assist. HOLDOVERS: You will be informed at the ride briefing by the veterinary judge of the upper limits for pulse and respiration criteria.

16-go/ 17-hold for pulse and respiration are standard for the Leisure Division.

For their own safety, horses who do not meet these P&R recovery criteria for both pulse and respiration simultaneously will be held for one or two additional 10-minute increments. The judge must be informed of any horses held for the extra 10-minute holdover.

NATRC RULE BOOK SECTION 5: In the event that a horse is held for additional recovery time at a P&R stop that hold time (10 or 20 minutes) must be added to the rider's minimum and maximum ride time. If a horse has not met recovery criteria after two 10-minute holds (a total of 30 minutes recovery time including the initial P&R), the horse shall be pulled. All holdover times and readings shall be recorded. The rider, Ride Chair or Trail Master and/ or Timer must be told. Make every effort to notify the judges and other ride personnel of holdovers so they can plan logistics and observations accordingly. The vet judge should set criteria for evaluating inversions (respiration count higher than the pulse). Any horse with thumps (abdominal/flank contractions occurring in sync with the heart rate) must be pulled. In case of a disagreement in counts, the veterinary judge’s opinion will prevail.

​

L. POINT RIDER(S)/ PERSONNEL Must be mounted on a well-conditioned horse or use another means of transportation and be thoroughly familiar with the entire ride course in order to re-ribbon any section of trail missing ribbons. See Point Riders at www.natrc.org.

 

M. SAFETY RIDERS/ PERSONNEL NATRC Rule Book.

 

Section 3.B.6. Safety personnel: One or more safety personnel designated by ride management will be available on the trail to assist any horse or rider in event of emergency. Safety personnel must be 18 years of age or older. NATRC recommends two riders/ personnel behind Open, two behind Novice/CP, and two behind Leisure if the divisions are using separate trails. Note other modes of transportation may be used (bicycles or motorized vehicles) if allowed on the trails used for the ride State required health papers (certificates, EIA test, etc.) should be checked on each safety equine. Not every safety rider can abide by every guideline, but ride management should strive to appoint safety riders that can fill most of the guidelines. Please ask your safety riders to review the guidelines a few days in advance of the ride to be assured that the safety riders are adequate for the task.

 

Guidelines: Safety equines should be well-conditioned, at least 4 years old and capable of making the entire day's ride. Equine should be steady, reliable, able to "pony" another equine and pull with a rope (western saddle recommended). Stallions must be carefully evaluated, along with their riders, before being allowed in the safety position.

2. Safety equines will have P&Rs taken to ensure they are not too stressed to continue.

3. Safety riders/ personnel should:

a. Provide ride management with state required health papers (certificates, EIA test, etc.).

b. Attend all ride briefings and receive additional information as necessary from the trailmaster or ride chair.

c. Be familiar with the trails and know how to get to connecting roadways in case other help is needed.

d. Wear identification (such as a colored vest).

e. Be experienced enough to recognize and handle equine suffering from fatigue.

f. Maintain a reasonable distance from the last rider in order to not interfere with competition; however, keep the last rider in sight. 

g. Report problems to ride chair, trailmaster, judges and P&R chair.

h. Carry messages to the next available P&R team, judge, or timers of any equine which has pulled at any point.

i. Carry map, timing sheet (distance between points) and rider list.

j. Carry and be familiar with contents of a first aid kit. Kit should contain common medical items for both equine and rider. First aid training is a plus! Ride Managment at this event is asking a decent space between the last rider and safety rider to avoid hazing last rider down the trail. The last competitor's ride should be separate from the safety rider in every way. 

k. Carry radios (when available) to maintain communications with management.

l. Carry extra lead rope, knife, pliers and other emergency tools.

m. NOT pull ribbons since there is always a chance that a rider has gotten off trail and may be behind the safety riders.

4. Please see supplemental information in the Power Point presentation on safety riders at https://www.natrc.org/natrc-volunteers..

 

N. FARRIER Can be part of management or a local farrier who checks with management the evening before the ride and remains on call. Charges are arranged by private treaty.

 

O. RIDE VETERINARIAN Usually a local DVM who is available on call throughout the course of the ride, preferably one who is interested in becoming an approved judge. Any treatment by either the local DVM or the veterinary judge to a competitor's horse will be by private treaty. Some veterinary judges have an emergency kit with them if judging in the same state as their practice, but their main job is judging the horses and any treatment of horses takes away from this job. Except in an emergency, treatment is not the judge's responsibility. Ride Management acknowledges that ride Vet is out of state and local on-call veterinary coverage would be required for treatment. 

 

P. MEALS CHAIR Part of ride management or a service group, such as church or sponsoring club. Ride management must provide food for their judges, rules interpreter and judges’ secretaries. Meals for everyone else are optional. Cost, availability of cooks and cooking facilities will determine if management can offer meals to riders and volunteers. Tasty basic food at a reasonable price makes for happy riders. Poor food at an expensive price is not worth the effort. Food will be a large budget item. 26 See Meals Chair at www.natrc.org.

 

Q. AWARDS CHAIR Often a person with other management duties. Responsible for ordering sufficient ribbons and trophies as per Rule Book minimum required. See Awards Chair at www.natrc.org

 

S. PHOTOGRAPHER Optional but well received by riders. Photos may be sold to riders or used for publicity purposes. Some regions have photographers available to cover your ride. Contact NATRC Office for a list of amateur and professional photographers in your region.

 

U. VEHICLE CHAIR Responsible for securing all transportation, seeing that they are on time when needed and that service (gas and oil) facilities are available. Besides your own club members, four-wheel drive clubs, ranchers and sportsmen are a good source of vehicles. Responsible for coordination of vehicles with personnel needing transportation. Return to Table of Contents 27

SECTION 10. VEHICLES/DRIVERS The vehicular needs of a trail ride vary considerably with the terrain, accessibility to roads and fire trails, number of management personnel to be transported, locations of observation or check points on the trail, and gates that require gatekeepers. With this in mind, the ride chair must decide the type (Jeep, pickup, car, station wagon, etc.) and number of vehicles to be used. Four-wheel drive use will be dependent upon the terrain. Injudicious use of vehicles or an excess of vehicles can create interference with riders and possible damage with resultant loss of permission to use the property. Therefore, the number should be kept to the minimum that will SAFELY service the ride. (Example: where the Novice Division follows the same but shorter route than the Open Division, it may be possible to eliminate a lead or drag jeep.) When any vehicle is no longer needed, it should be dismissed and proceed back to camp immediately. All vehicles should be under the absolute command of the ride chair or trailmaster. It is essential that the driver or a passenger in each vehicle be thoroughly familiar with the terrain, the exact route and the general trails in the area. It is recommended that all drivers be taken over their exact route some time during the week prior to the ride. If possible, each vehicle should carry water and cups for use by riders and management. First aid equipment and radio communication is necessary in key vehicles.

NATRC insurance does not cover vehicles used during the ride. Ride chairs beware and protect yourself with adequate personal liability and obtain certificates of insurance from the company insuring any vehicles used. Do not allow personnel to ride in the back of a pickup.

 

A. PERSONNEL NEEDING TRANSPORT: Type of vehicle (passenger or fourwheel drive) will be dependent upon the terrain and number of passengers. Additional vehicles might be necessary if Open, Novice/CP trails are not shared. If there are separate sets of judges for each division, two more vehicles may be required. Some vehicles may be shared, but plan for as many as are available. Ride chair Gate keepers, spotters, etc. Trailmaster P&R teams & timer Veterinary judge(s) & secretary(s) Ride timers if lunch is on the trail Horsemanship judge(s) & secretary(s) Lead and safety vehicles if used LeD judges(s) & secretary(s) Photographer Rules interpreter(s) Guest (magazine reporter, etc.)

 

C. SAFETY VEHICLE: If used, should be radio/cell phone equipped, carry first aid kit and be manned by an experienced horse person, preferably one that 28 has had experience in handling horses suffering from fatigue, knows thoroughly the course of the ride and any side trails that might lead out to a road where a distressed horse might be picked up.

1. Pick up all gatekeepers and lock or close all gates.

2. Keep any errant riders on trail.

3. Be prepared to assist any distressed horse or rider. In case of distressed horse, either tie up in suitable place and wait for official help or slowly walk to nearest pickup point at the direction of the ride chair or trailmaster.

 

D. JUDGES' VEHICLES: Should be radio/cell phone equipped. Driver or judge's secretary should be thoroughly familiar with the ride route in order to assist the judge in locating observation points.

 

E. RIDE CHAIR AND TRAILMASTER VEHICLES: Must be radio/cell phone equipped and able to go anywhere as directed by ride chair or trailmaster. Should carry first aid kit.

 

F. P&R TEAM VEHICLES: Should be radio/cell phone equipped. Know the exact location of each P&R stop, the times needed to drive between stops and the times the first horses will arrive. Coordination must be achieved allowing for the first horse and the last horse times. Vehicles should carry water and cups for riders and be large enough to carry the necessary teams.

 

G. STANDBY VEHICLE: If used, should be radio/cell phone equipped, preferably a four-wheel drive capable of pulling a horse trailer under difficult conditions. Should be manned by an experienced horse person who knows the ride route and all roads and trails in the area. Should have keys to, or be able to, open all gates in area of ride. Remains in camp on call until called by trailmaster or ride chair.

 

H. AMBULANCE TRAILER(S): For horse and /or human, ideally two should be available. Depending upon conditions, one should be at the lunch stop each day. If available, give consideration to having one trailer of the open type to facilitate handling that hard-to-load-horse. Each unit should carry a radio/cell phone, first aid kit(s), and a good halter and lead rope as well as long rope to expedite loading. If hay or grain is carried in manger, it should be removed when hauling a tired horse.