Empowered Equestrians
Positive Challenges
Empowered Equestrians Challenge Rules
To ensure fairness, safety, and consistency across all challenge entries, please follow these rules carefully when submitting your videos:
Unedited Video Required
You must record your entire challenge session in one continuous take.
Do not cut or splice footage between behaviors or training attempts.
You can practice as many times as you like until you get one video with your best attempt at each skill, just submit the final attempt.
Positive Reinforcement Only
All training must be conducted using positive reinforcement techniques.
You may reinforce as frequently as you feel appropriate, using any reinforcer that is effective and appropriate for your horse.
You may be marked down if reinforcement is unclear or seems obviously inadequate.
No Use of Aversives
The intentional use of aversive tools or techniques (e.g., punishment, pressure-release cues, or coercion) is strictly prohibited.
Smooth, flat halters and leads are allowed if they’re not used in the session. Rope halters (with pressure knots), chain lead ropes, etc.. are not allowed.
Whips, bits, or other traditionally aversive tools are strongly discouraged, because I can’t know their conditioned history. You’ll be marked down for having them but not using them, but you’ll be disqualified for using them aversively.
Voluntary Participation
The horse should appear comfortable, engaged, and willing to participate in the session.
Entries where the horse appears shut down, hesitant, or forced will be marked down.
Emotional Well-being Counts
Your score may be lowered or disqualified if the horse shows visible signs of fear, stress, or frustration during the session.
Challenge Criteria Must Be Met
You must complete all tasks in each challenge as described.
Deviations from the challenge instructions may affect your score.
If you need special adjustments (like using different targets for blind horses) please let us know in your message, you won’t be marked down for this.