The Peninsula Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Washington and the American Competitive Trail Horse Association host a Competitive Trail Challenge on Saturday, May 19, at Cat Lake on the Miller Peninsula.

The event is a fundraiser for the Back Country Horsemen to support its mission in keeping trails open for all users, educating horse users in “Leave-No-Trace” practices and providing volunteer service to resource agencies.

The trail ride competition starts between 9-10 a.m., and includes a 6-8 mile trail ride with judged obstacles (mostly natural) along the way. Each obstacle has its own judge.

Obstacles along the trail can include (but are not limited to) crossing streams, crossing bridges, riding up/down steep hills, backing around obstacles, dragging a log, opening/closing gates, jumping over a low log, riding through vine styled obstacles, trotting over spaced logs, standing in position while a loud noise is present, walking on/around plastic tarp/bags, trot/canter from Point A to Point B.

It is not a timed event.

Riders are given a ride-out time to head out on the trail and are encouraged to ride with their group, family or friends. When the riders reach the obstacle and judge, each rider performs the obstacle one at a time and is judged based on how the rider and the horse complete the obstacle.

The event includes lunch and an awards ceremony. Ribbons and prizes are awarded to places 1-6 for each division (Open, Pleasure and Junior). Other awards include prizes for the best-dressed rider, best turned-out horse and more.

The Peninsula Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen is actively seeking sponsors for this year’s event, with sponsorship opportunities for overall event sponsor, division sponsors, obstacle sponsors and prize sponsors

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Jennifer Reandeau at kjens.haflingers@gmail.com or Lori Crow at lorincrow@hotmail.com.

Find registration details, costs, schedule and other information at www.actha.us.