Over 50 riders and their horses visited Trail on the weekend for the Hot Auguse Hooves riding show and competition.
Participants camped out at the Horseman's grounds for the three-day event that featured dressage, western, and trail-riding skills performed by junior and senior riders and their steeds.
There are usually three classes in Western division riding competition. In the stock horse section, the rider demonstrates their horse's paces at the walk, jog (trot), and lope (cantor). The reining-back test shows how quickly the horse can come to a halt from full speed. Several competitions involve working with cattle. And of course there are the timed events mentioned above.
English style includes dressage, which requires competitors to perform a test comprising about 15 different movements, marked by a panel of judges. Marks are awarded for each movement including paces, submission, and seat of the rider.
Trail riding was a new addition to the Hot August Hooves event, that tested riders on horse handling skills typically faced in the back country.
See more on the Hot August Hooves event in this week's Trail Times.