06/20/2025
2025 Big Bear Cowboy Challenge
Registrations, Rules & Regulations
Description: The Cowboy Challenge is a competition of skill that measures a rider’s horsemanship and encourages
horses to develop a partnership based on trust. A rider’s partnership is scored on an obstacle course which is
designed to challenge their ability level yet allows good horsemanship. A rider will navigate through an obstacle
course set up inside and outside of an arena. Cattle work will be an obstacle for all divisions except In Hand. Bonus
points are given for showing good horsemanship.
Purpose: This event will give you the opportunity to set goals, measure progress, expose horse to new scenarios, as
well as gaining confidence in creating a safer trail horse. The Challenge is about having fun, promoting good
horsemanship and taking riders to new levels.
Schedule: July 11th- 13th, 2025
Friday, Challenge Workshop 2:00pm
Saturday, Challenge Workshop 9:00am
Saturday, Challenge Check In 1:00pm (In Hand, Green Horse, Novice), 2:00pm Start
Sunday, Challenge Check In 8:00am (Youth, Senior, Amateur, & Open), 9:00am Start
Registrations: THERE are NO same day entries. Riders must be signed up by the deadline, July 1st, to avoid a $20.00
late service fee. Online registration: https://forms.gle/sXouKGRSUzCG95Vb6
Event Host: Mary Rose Anderson 714-721-2220
Event Location: Los Vaqueros de la Montanas, 440 Cascade St. Big Bear City CA 92315
Club Memberships, Overnight Stalls and Dry Camping are available.
Club Contact: Heidi Duran [email protected] 909-730-0876
Divisions
The Cowboy Challenge welcomes all levels of riders and breeds of horses, ponies, and mules. No Stallions! Riders
are encouraged to enter in any division in which they are qualified.
In Hand: Open to any horse and rider team. Horses are led in hand at the walk/trot and by halter or bridle. Saddle
not required.
Green Horse: For horses at the walk/trot, in their 1st and 2nd year showing.
Novice: For beginning level riders of 18 years and over at the walk/trot. A Novice has not placed 1st
-3rd in any
obstacle or trail competition or any similar event prior to the year. A Novice has never been paid to ride, train or
give lessons.
Youth: For riders 17 years of age and under.
Senior: For riders 55 years and over.
Amateur: For horses and riders of any level of 18 years of age and over. An Amateur rider does not receive payment
to ride, train or give lessons.
Open: Open to all ages. Riders under 17 years allowed with guardian permission.
Exhibitor Order will be determined by show management 24 hours prior to the event. Riders first to have entered
will be last to go. Accommodation is made for exhibitors with multiple horses.
Courses
1. In Hand & Green Horse: Suitable courses for all horses that have never shown before. Courses consists of 8
obstacles. Obstacles are worth 10 points each.
2. Novice: Beginning level courses, suitable for all horses. Courses consists of 10 obstacles; no water, no jumping.
Obstacles are worth 10 points each.
3. Youth & Senior: Intermediate level suitable for all horses. Courses include loping, jumping and more challenging
obstacles. Course consists of 13 obstacles worth 10 points each.
4. Amateur & Open: Advanced level suitable for all horses. Courses include loping, jumping and a higher level of
difficulty and skilled obstacles. Course consists of 13 obstacles worth 10 points each.
NOTES: Course maps will be posted 1 hour before the start of the challenge. A course walk through with the
judge for competitors on foot will be held before each division starts. It is the competitor's responsibility to fully
understand the course and rules at this time.
Tack & Attire
Attire: Boots with a heel are mandatory. Dress should be appropriate: jeans, long sleeved button collared shirt
(tucked in), belt, and Cowboy hats. No ball caps allowed. For adults, helmets are encouraged. Helmets are required
for age 17 and under.
Tack: Must be safe, humane and in good working condition. If show management determines an item to be unsafe
or not humane the exhibitor has 10 minutes to correct the problem and return to the course.
Snaffle Bits and Bosals: Any horse may be shown 2 handed using a snaffle or bosal.
Horses that are shown in bit with a shank should be ridden one-handed. Use of two-hands is allowed but will be
penalized.
Discouraged Equipment: Mechanical hackamores, side pulls, gag or twisted wire bits, cavessons, tie-downs, draw
reins, martingales, and wire chinstraps strongly discouraged.
Safety
All safety concerns must be brought to the attention of the show staff prior to the event. Obstacles are
designed with safety in mind. However, if a rider feels an obstacle is beyond their abilities, then the rider may skip
that obstacle after acknowledging the obstacle and penalties will be applied.
Helmets are required for age 17 and under. For adults, helmets are encouraged. Competitors and
parent/legal guardians of children under 18 years of age assume all responsibility when on the grounds and
participating in this event.
Rules
1. 2. 3. All riders must sign a liability release. Riders 17 years of age and under must have parent/guardian signature.
A rider may exhibit multiple horses in a division.
Horses may only enter a division only once. Horses may be shown in any division if they and/or the rider is
eligible for the division.
4. 5. 6. 7. Horses may not be on the course prior to competition; on competition day.
Horses must be serviceably sound and in good condition as determined by the judge.
Entry fees are non-refundable after the start of the event.
Riders will be given 1 minute to start their course. If a rider fails to be ready and does not start within that
time frame, they will be disqualified.
8. Each contestant will perform the required obstacle pattern individually.
9. Obstacles will not be numbered and must be completed in the designated order.
10. If riders choose to lead a horse through an obstacle they must remount before moving toward the next
obstacle. This will result in a low obstacle score.
11. If a rider comes off their horse, they will have 1 minute to catch their horse and remount, or it will result in a
disqualification.
12. It is permissible to change rein hand to work with an obstacle.
13. Failure to attempt an obstacle will result in a zero score for that obstacle.
14. The judge will blow whistle and ask the contestant to move on to next obstacle upon the third refusal or
after 30 seconds of not completing an obstacle. Rider MUST move on to the next obstacle or be disqualified.
15. Riders may not consume alcoholic beverages before or during their ride. A rider will be disqualified if it
appears that the rider is using drugs or alcohol.
16. It is expected that each horse shall be treated humanely with kindness and respect at all times. Horses
should have the opportunity to display their great natural ability not hindered by drugs, surgical alterations
or inhumane treatment. Our position is to hold the highest standard of integrity in treatment and care of the
horse.
17. The judge always has the option of disqualifying an exhibitor for safety reasons, disrespect or misconduct.
18. No whining, moaning, or complaining. The object is to have fun and to better our horsemanship. Suggestions
are welcome.
19. Show management has the right to add additional rules if necessary. Rule additions will be posted at
registration table prior to the event.
20. Riders will abide by the ruling of the judge. All judges' decisions are final.
21. Please respect the facility, treat it well and clean up before leaving the facility.
Obstacles
Show management has the right to be creative in designing the obstacles used for the challenge. Obstacles may
come from this list of examples:
Animals (live or stuffed animals which would normally be encountered in an outdoor setting may be used but not to
be used in an attempt to spook a horse.)
Archery Shoot
Backing (backing thru U’s, L’s, and Z’s, around obstacles or up and down a hill.)
Carry (carrying slicker, bucket, ball, flag, saddlebag, tarp, etc. from one point to another.)
Cashe Hoist (using a rope to hoist an object above the horse’s head.)
Circles or straight line (trot or lope, slow and/or fast.)
Cow Work (cutting out cattle from its herd and maneuvered it into a catch pen.)
Crossings (stepping over poles, logs, deadfall, various bridges, ditch, trash or tarps.)
Double Rider
Drag (dragging a log, tire, tarp, pallet, etc. from one point to another.)
Hoof Check
Gate (opening, passing through and closing of a standard panel gate, rope, or swing pole.)
Ground Tie
Gun Shot (black powder mounted shooting blanks, fired at balloons. Open riders only.)
Jump (trot or lope over a jump consisting of logs, hay bales or half/full barrels. A jump obstacle whose center height
is not less than 14 inches high or more that 25 inches high. Holding the saddle horn is permissible for this obstacle.)
Lead Horse (dismounting and leading horse over obstacles or at a trot.)
Mailbox (remove and replace materials.)
Moguls
Mounting (from the ground, block, log, fence, or other stands.)
Pony Horse
Ride Through (curtains, tunnels, and ravines.)
Rollbacks
Roping: (swinging and throwing a rope with either livestock or a dummy.)
Serpentine (weaving cones or poles spaced a minimum of 6ft apart or lope at 21ft apart.)
Slicker (put on slicker or coat.)
Side Pass (straddling an object, raised poles or barrels.)
Spins/Turns (rotating on the forearm or haunches.)
Spearing Rings (collecting rings using a long jousting pole.)
Smoke (crossing by flares or campfire.)
Straight Line (holding a straight line at a trot or lope.)
Tunnels (made out of barrels, hay bales, tarps, or decorated panel walls.)
Trailer Loading
Water (waterfalls, bogs, sprinklers, or crossing contained water in boxes.)
Judging
This event is intended to display the versatile working ability of each horse and rider. A good horseman will
never endanger themselves or their horse. Therefore, a good working relationship between horse and rider shall be
rewarded. The best horse will be willfully guided with no apparent resistance. Any movement made by the horse on
its own or deviation from the pattern must be considered a lack of control. Credit will be given for horsemanship,
smoothness, calmness, finesse, forward motion, control, attitude, quickness and authority in performing the various
obstacles.
All runs begin upon entering the area of competition and any infractions are subject to penalty at that time
and up until the end of the pattern. The rider has the option of eliminating any obstacle, however this will result in a
score of 0 for the obstacle. If the rider in a division chooses to bypass an obstacle, without acknowledging the
obstacle, they will be considered off pattern and the horse/rider team may not place above others who have
completed the pattern correctly.
A judge may ask a horse to pass on an obstacle after three refusals or at any time for safety concerns.
Additional points are given for efficiency. However, sacrificing horsemanship for speed will not give you a better
score.
Scoring
Each obstacle will be worth 10 points. Points can be given in 0.5 increments. Bonus point or .5 may be added for any
obstacle.
Scoring System:
0- Not attempted
1- Attempt made, uncooperative horse, 3 refusals
2- Attempt made, uncooperative horse, 2 refusals
3- Attempt made, uncooperative horse, 1 refusal
4- Obstacle compete with hesitation, rough but done
5- Obstacle completed with slight deviation or hesitation
6- Obstacle completed as expected
7- Obstacle completed smoothly and willingly
8- Obstacle completed willingly with finesse
9- Obstacle completed willingly with a higher degree of difficulty
10- Obstacle completed willingly with a higher degree of difficulty and extreme finesse
In the event of a tied score in any division, the better horsemanship score will determine the winner.
Awards
• Ribbons: places 1st - 6th in each division.
• Reserve Champion: Awarded ribbon and sponsored prize to 2nd highest score in each division.
• High Point Champion: Awarded ribbon and sponsored buckle to highest score in each division.
2025 Buckle Sponsors
In Hand : BJs Restaurant
Green Horse: Jelly Roll
Novice: Dottie and Ken Saville
Youth: Patti Dokter Interiors
Amateur: High Country Insurance
Senior: Joe Harmon Construction
Open: Linda Goldsmith (In memory of Fred Goldsmith)
