photo - Ney Messi

This obstacle consists of a more or less round enclosure with an entrance. At the center of the pen is an inner enclosure housing animals such as goats, hens, geese, ducks, piglets, etc.  If animals are not available (or if show management deems it unsafe for the animals or the riders) an object representing an animal may be used.  If live animals are used in the livestock pen, then all efforts must be made for the comfort and safety of the animals (i.e. water, shade, etc).  The horse enters from the direction given on the course map and describes a full circle around the inner enclosure.  Livestock Pen can be done in either direction at the lower levels.  Preliminary and above must show this obstacle in both directions.

Gait Required:

Young Horse Test B - Walk, no animals in the pen.

Walk - Walk, no animals in the pen.

Walk Trot - Walk, no animals in the pen.

Novice - Trot, animal likeness in pen.

Preliminary - Canter, animal likeness in pen.  Shown in both directions, change through trot or walk.

Intermediate - Canter, shown in both directions.  Change with walk to walk pirouette to opposite lead.

Advanced - Canter, shown in both directions.  Change with canter pirouette to flying change.

International - Canter, shown in both directions.  Change with canter pirouette to flying change.

Obstacle is judged on: 

The attributes of the correct working horse and rider.  Knocking down any part of the livestock pen will be penalized.