PALFREY CONTEST

In period, the Palfrey was a horse pleasant (and safe) to ride, suitable for cross-country journeys, local travel and work on the manor, and pageantry. In some places in period, amblers (what we now refer to as gaited horses) were preferred as palfreys due to their smooth gaits and generally good temperament.

This contest is an opportunity for owners of a palfrey to show their steed to best advantage in those areas. The challenges and scoring are as follows:

  1. Practical Use - Containing elements intended to simulate things one might encounter on a cross-country journey that will test the horse-rider partnership, along with some that one might encounter simply riding around one's own manner. Elements sure to be included are things like opening and closing a gate, crossing a bridge, crossing water, side passing over a ground pole, etc. New this year: This part of the Palfrey challenge will be scored on time. The clock starts when you touch the gate to enter the course and ends with you close the gate on exiting.
  2. Pageantry -: This is the chance to show your palfrey to best advantage, by preparing a short (3-5 minute) routine that will showcase your garb and barding as well as, your palfrey’s gaits and harmony with you as the rider. This is a "free-style" display however, competitors will be expected to show transitions from walk to trot, trot to canter and back down. They are also expected to include one figure eight at the canter, with a lead change in the middle. (Lead change can be done at any gate, but canter must be picked back up right away.) Gaited horse not capable of cantering, must execute the same figure eight at a comparable gait. (Tolt or Rack for instance.)

Scoring:

  1. Practical - Timed.
  2. Pageantry: 60 points maximum (10 for use of music, 35 for the performance and 15 for garb, barding, and overall impression of the palfrey in a ceremonial role). These points will be subtracted from the time of the Practical Use course to determine a winner.

Because the scoring of Pageantry is subjective, the palfrey contest will be scored by a panel of judges.

Sound system: bring your music on either a CD or your iPod, both can be accommodated.