Scottish Open Track and Trail
The Scottish Open for The Icelandic Horse has it's own version of Track & Trail.
The In Person event Trail is kept as a suprise layout until the day of the class, listed further down this page are possible obstacles that rider, handler and horse may encounter.
The 2026 Online Track & Trail has had some changes:
'Adult' Track & Trail
Track section: stated number of laps depending on gait used, Track section is optional.
Trail section: different elements for ridden and in-hand, timed from a starting point and finish point, each element has a maximum time to attempt the element.
Element 10: 'pick your own' a choice of eight elements have been given for you to show as your last element, continue to the finish point the clock stops when you halt and salute.
Junior Track & Trail
Fancy Dress: Extra marks are avaliable for fancy dress (Themes listed in 'set up guide')
Track section: stated number of laps depending on gait used, Track section is optional.
Trail section: different elements for ridden and in-hand, timed from a starting point and finish point, each element has a maximum time to attempt the element.
Element 9: Part 1 - 'pick your own' a choice of six elements (three for ridden and three for in-hand) have been given for you to show as your last element Part 2 - give your horse a hug or a kiss continue to finish point, the clock stops when you salute.
The 'Adult' and Junior set up guides have 'How You Are Marked' sections.
The Scottish Open for The Icelandic Horse has it's own version of Track and Trail consisting of two parts:
Part One - Track: Show one lap of the oval track in a gait of the riders choice.
Part Two - Trail: A range of obstacles will be set out that horse and rider will need to navigate.
Participants may choose to do the obstacles in whichever gait is best for them and their horse. If you do not wish to attempt an obstacle let the judge know.
In cases where the rider feels they can navigate an obstacle but the horse thinks otherwise (three refusals or backward steps), the mark will be zero for the obstacle.
If you make an error (going the wrong way etc) on the course you will be eliminated.
Obstacles: The following elements could be included
- Mount and/or dismount horse
- Open gate from horseback, go through and shut it
- Poles on the ground, the horse must step over them
- Water (Hopefully a Blue Tarpaulin) must be ridden over
- Bridge (Blocks,Tarpaulin, or other horse safe bridge like equipment) must be ridden over
- Circle or Square of cones/pods/rope, let the horse wait in the circle/square. Immobility with no rein contact.
- Move a flag, or other object between two points
- Barrels/cones/posts, ride in slalom in tölt or trot
- Leading of the horse
- Walk with loose reins
- Canter – on one rein, no sharp bends
- Gate with ribbons/rope must be ridden through/ridden under
- Step backwards – out of a lane of poles
- Labyrinth of poles lying on the ground – must be ridden through in walk
- Drag something along (e.g. toy animal)
- Riding through a narrow gap (Pole Corridor)
- Ball transport
- Super slalom around poles laid in a shape
- Slalom around barrels/cones/poles without touching reins
Other obstacles may be include, with due regard to safety of horse and rider.
Other Track and Trail Classes
There are different recognised Track and Trail class, the Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain (IHSGB) has it's own take on the class and, the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations (FEIF) has other versions.
You can find more information about these with the buttons below, these will open in a separate window and take you to the corresponding website.