Stock Pen Obstacle

Construction for Exercise 2

✅ Outer yard: circular, 8 m diameter, with a 2 m entry/exit opening.

✅ Inner yard: circular, min. 3 m diameter, add some farm or animal-like objects.

✅ Please do not use live animals

✅ Riding track: min. 1.5 m wide.

✅ Build your Stock Yard in the corner of your arena, then put the gate where it makes an easy choice to ride the outside turn.

Performance

Introductory: walk only.

Preparatory & Preliminary: walk or trot.

Novice & above: walk or canter.

Execution:

Enter → complete one circuit inside → exit → change direction → re-enter → repeat in opposite direction.

Gait → the rider must use the same gait inside the yard both times.

Faults → breaking gait inside the yard, or re-entering at the wrong gait.

Change of direction options → teardrop (≤10 m), turn on haunches, half-pirouette.

Intro–Prelim may use a larger circle/loop outside pen as appropriate for level of training.

Elementary & above: canter half-pirouette allowed, with flying change before or after.

Riding & Training Tips

Start with larger outside turns, then refine: Begin with a larger circle, gradually decreasing size as balance and transitions develop.

Smooth direction changes: Train your horse to do teardrops/loops or demi-volte’s and then gradually link them to the obstacle for the outside turn. As training advances, move to a turn on the haunches. Always ensuring the outside turn is forward (not halting to turn).

Look ahead: Focus on where you want to go (the curve), not on the horse’s head, to keep the line smooth. Train to ride close to the outside of the Yard. (Often in competition, nerves cause people to cut in and then horse to lose balance).

Maintain rhythm: Avoid rushing the turns or losing impulsion. If you ride the Yard at a trot, after the exit you can transition to walk for the turn and return to the trot before you re-enter the Yard.

Practice both directions: Train evenly to develop equal bend and balance. Riders are often stronger in one hand, which can block the bend on the opposite rein.

Inner circle: Place barrels, poles, or objects inside the inner circle to simulate cattle and this also helps to create bend. No live animals!

Show purpose inside: While inside the stockyard, ride as though you have a job to do (e.g., moving cattle) to demonstrate intent and effectiveness.

At Walk, try to show a change of pace within the gait from the Inside of the yard to the outside turn.

Collect outside: On exiting, collect the horse (as training level allows) or slow or transition to prepare for the change of direction before re-entering.