The Excitement of the Extreme Cowboy Race

Article and photos by Traci Durrell-Khalife

Dashing through a cowboy curtain, racing bareback across a field, dragging logs, crossing water deeper than the horse's chest height, galloping over moguls, and shooting from horseback aren't your everyday equestrian activities. If this sounds extreme, well, you're right! These are all obstacles that contestants may encounter in an Extreme Cowboy Race. 

The brainchild of Craig Cameron, Extreme Cowboy Challenges began as a reality-type television show for RFD-TV and earned him a Telly Award. It was immensely popular and continues to grow. The Extreme Cowboy Association (EXCA) is the original and the only association that sanctions these races.

Ponying another horse is a typical task in Extreme Cowboy Racing.

EXCA offers categories for every age and ability of rider: Young Guns for 7-11 years, Youth for 12-17 years, Novice, 18 & over Non-Pro 18 & over Pro, and Ride Smart for 55 & over. There is also a Futurity division for 3-4 year old horses. 

The course consists of 13 obstacles in most divisions. Young Guns, however, have only six obstacles and Novices have only 10. Each obstacle has a difficulty rating of 1-6 (1 being easiest), and each division has a range of difficulty levels that may be included, like Novice courses only including obstacles rated 1-3. Most obstacles have several ratings - for example, an archery shoot from a standstill is 3, from a walk/trot is 4, and from a lope is 5. Riding double bareback is 6 only, and thus is reserved for Pro and Futurity courses.

Riding double bareback is a 6 rated obstacle. Hay bales are provided, if needed, for mounting. 

Riders are scored on each obstacle, plus a horsemanship score and a time score. Each obstacle has a maximum of 10 points: eight for the obstacle and one each for the approach and the departure. Contestants have a 20-30 second time limit on each obstacle, so horses move faster than arena trail horses. In case of a tie, the overall faster time will win.

Extreme Cowboy Challenges emphasize good horsemanship, control, and smooth execution of each obstacle. Riders should use reasonable speed, keep their horse on correct leads, and maintain soft hands. Riders are penalized for heavy hands, lack of balance, and a horse with a high head or open mouth. Horses should be courageous and responsive while working on a loose rein. 

To simulate traversing a messy campsite, the "trash ride" requires loping between panels with trash strewn between.

Tack and attire must be either traditional western or Australian. Long sleeve button-up shirts are required and must be tucked in when the contestant starts. Boots and cowboy hat or riding helmet are required, while chaps and spurs are optional. No mechanical hackamores or tiedowns are allowed. It is, however, acceptable to ride without a bridle or to ride bareback. Stock-type horses and mules are the most common competitors, but horses or ponies may be any breed, age or gender.

Courses are usually set up outdoors in a field or near a wooded area, but can be adapted to arenas for competitions held at expos or other events. Every course differs in terrain, length and obstacles. Contestants walk the course with the judges prior to riding.

Leading a horse blindfolded may include negotiating an obstacle, such as a bridge.

The Extreme Cowboy Association rulebook lists nearly 70 obstacles that may be used in their competitions. All showcase the talents of a well-broke ranch or trail horse. Some are natural trail obstacles like water crossings, ravines and stepping up or down a bank. Some, such as barrel turns, keyholes and flag races, owe their origins to gymkhana. Many involve dismounting to lead or ground tie the horse while the rider accomplishes a task, then remounting. Backing the horse up may be in a marked area or up or downhill. Jumping may be over barrels, logs or dirt moguls. Others include reining maneuvers such as sliding stops, spins in a box, rollbacks, and big and small, slow and fast circles. Ranch work inspired such obstacles as sorting or roping cattle, branding (with chalk), opening and closing a gate, and carrying water. A rider's marksmanship is tested in the archery shoot, pistol/rifle shoot and spearing stationary rings. The free ride is an exciting part of every challenge. It may be around the perimeter of the course, through the course, or even over or around obstacles. Judges reward controlled speed, loose rein and soft hands.

This cowboy demonstrates spins in a box. Railroad ties or logs are more commonly used than arena ground poles.

While some of these obstacles can be very challenging to negotiate, safety is the primary concern when designing them. Contestants should know their horses and know when to skip an obstacle that is beyond their current ability. Horses must be properly conditioned for the race and will undergo a post-race veterinarian's exam at the Regional and World Championships.

When selecting a model horse to depict an Extreme Cowboy Race, the choices are vast. Obstacles are so varied that standing, walking, trotting and loping or galloping horses can all be suitably placed to depict a moment in time on a course. Think about which obstacles will readily identify your setup as an Extreme Cowboy Race. You may want to select ones that are unique to this event so your entry won't be mistaken as a reining or gymkhana entry. Putting a description on your photo back or next to your live show entry will not only help the judge understand what's being depicted, but will also show that you've done your homework. 

For your next Other Western Performance entry, think Extreme! You can learn more about the Extreme Cowboy Association and their races on their official website.