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Please visit https://fb.me/e/18yQZXpHG for additional information.

This event is for auditing the clinic only. Cost to audit is $30 cash per day. SAFE volunteers and adopters can audit for FREE.

Bring your own chair, lunch, snacks, beverages.

Groundwork Class: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Riding Class: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Hello! Rochester Chapter is putting on a small Trail Ride, starting a bit early to beat the heat just in case it is hot.

We will meet at the equestrian parking lot (the north lot of the two parking areas on the West side of Case Road. See directions below). A Discover Pass is required and must be displayed on your dash. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle or trailer.

An equipment safety check will be conducted prior to taking off, and helmets are strongly encouraged, but I will also check with Cowgirls HQ if they are required or not for a cowgirl organized ride. 🙂

This will be a walking only trail ride, and shorter for those of use whose horses (or riders!) may not be as conditioned.
Please keep in mind, following the cowgirl (and true horsemanship feel) we will start as a group and end as a group and leave no one behind. 🙂

Directions:

From the north, take I-5 South to exit 95. Keep left at the fork to continue onto Maytown Road SW (follow signs for Littlerock). Turn left onto Case Road SW. There are two parking lots. The first one you come to after the Scatter Creek Stables is used primarily by horse riders with their trailers. The second parking lot, a bit down the road, is for cars only. A Discover Pass is required to park at both lots.

C.M.O. is “competitive” because you compete, as an individual or a team, against other riders to find all of the hidden objective stations. This is a timed event and you compete for a placing for that ride. The points you and your horse earn add up towards year-end placing and lifetime points with the National Association of Competitive Mounted Orienteering (N.A.C.M.O.) and your State organization.

The “mounted” part of the name is because the game is played on horseback. In theory, you shouldn’t have to ever get off the horse as each objective station should be visible from horseback.

And, finally, “orienteering” because you must be able to orient your self on a provided map and find your way around the course. The use of a map and compass, navigating your way around the designated course, identifying landmarks and finding the objective stations is what orienteering is all about.

What C.M.O. is NOT, is an endurance or competitive riding race. In those sports, you follow a set course for a set distance and try to make the best time of all the competitors while getting a good “health” reading for your horse.

In C.M.O. you use your map to pick your route to find all the objective stations following whatever route you think is best to get around the course. Ingenuity, strategy and creativity are all useful.

Like endurance or competitive riding, however, the longer courses can cover many miles over all types of terrain. Common sense says you should have your horse in good shape and conditioned if you plan on riding long distances.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO RIDE A C.M.O.?

First you need a horse. It is, after all, a mounted sport. Any type of equine is allowed. Mules, ponies, show horses, horses off the track and backyard pets are welcome.  Your horse must be at least three years old to compete.

You will also need a compass, small writing pad and pencil.

Other suggested items would be weather appropriate clothing, water, first aid supplies, lunch, and horse water and feed. Not all areas where rides are sponsored have potable water or water for your horse.

Contact Kathy Davis for exact location and details!