2007 Congress Demonstration Series

How to Plus Your Score in Trail

Brent Maxwell of Mansfield, Ohio, presented a demonstration on Tuesday, October 16, on the Trail class. Maxwell has trained and exhibited many outstanding Trail and All-Around horses throughout his 25-year training career. Horses in Maxwell’s trail program have won numerous titles at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Championship shows.

One of Maxwell’s customers, Kathryn Gorsuch, and her horse Bigbeboppinbob, were the “examples” for Maxwell’s demonstration. Gorsuch and “Bob” have earned over 1,000 points across nine events in their time together, as well as a Reserve World Championship in Trail at the 2006 AQHYA World Show.

Maxwell had Gorsuch and Bob demonstrate many of the common mistakes that any horse or rider can make in a Trail pattern, whether they are new or experienced in the class. He pointed out common errors such as changing the cadence or rhythm of a pattern. If the rider can keep the horse at a steady rate throughout the entire pattern, it can gain the team extra points.

Maxwell also showed the importance of the rider keeping their eyes up. Once a rider drops their eyes, they lose focus on the next obstacle and therefore will not ride through it with the same intensity.

The participants at Maxwell’s demonstration received a wealth of knowledge during his one-hour presentation. Congress exhibitors and Trail enthusiasts watched attentively from the stands of Cooper Arena and received tips for Trail in general, as well as tips for obstacles coming up in patterns at this year’s Congress.

Photos and Article by Carly Williams.