Polish Cowboy Race classes

Polish Cowboy Race is a project that originated in 2015 in Poland. It features an innovative western riding discipline, thoroughly defined by a set of rules and consists of four agility and speed-based classes held across three competition levels. These classes are designed to showcase the rider’s agility and the horse’s skills in all types of movements typical in western riding.
The goal for each horse-and-rider pair is to complete an obstacle course that is specially prepared for each competition. The course may include a wide variety of obstacles, but all must meet safety standards and be realistically achievable.

Competitions are held in the Youth, Amateur, and Open divisions. What adds excitement and dynamism to the Polish Cowboy Race classes is the fact that they are timed.

Below, you will find descriptions and photos of the pattern diagrams and competitions for each event.

We have also launched a Polish Cowboy Race YouTube channel, featuring videos of all the events.


Our Youtube channel!

Cowboy Race (CR)

Cowboy Race (CR) is an individual class offered in the Youth, Amateur, and Open divisons. During the CR event, the horse-and-rider pair must complete an obstacle course consisting of 8 to 12 elements. Final rankings are based on both effectiveness and speed. The winner is the competitor who makes the fewest mistakes. If multiple participants complete the same number of obstacles, the faster time determines the placement.
In the Youth and Amateur classes, the competition is held class in class – meaning that riders compete on the same or very similar course patterns.

Team Cowboy Race (TCR)

Team Cowboy Race (TCR) is a team competition open to riders from the Amateur and Open divisions. In this class, amateurs compete alongside professionals. Teams consist of two horse-and-rider pairs, who complete a pattern made up of 6 to 8 obstacles, either one after the other or, in some cases, simultaneously on specially designed courses.

Final rankings are determined first by the number of successfully completed obstacles and then by the fastest time in the event of a tie.

Cowboy Paralell Race (CPR)

Cowboy Parallel Race (CPR) is a parallel race held in the Amateur and Open divisions. Just like in the TCR, amateurs have the opportunity to compete directly against professionals in the same event. Two identical patterns, each consisting of 4 to 6 obstacles, are set up in the arena. The competition involves horse-and-rider pairs racing side by side through their respective courses.

The class follows a knockout (elimination) format – the losing pair is eliminated, while the winning pair advances to the next round. The evaluation criteria are the same as in CR and TCR: first, a clean run, and then time.

Cowboy Trail (CT)

Cowboy Trail (CT) - an obstacle course (6 to 10 elements) for the Youth and Amateur divisions. The aim of the Cowboy Trail (CT) is to emphasize the importance of technique in overcoming course elements. Each obstacle is scored from 1 (insufficient) to 5 (excellent). Additionally, the three fastest pairs receive time bonuses. The final score is the sum of points for obstacle performance and time. However, a pair that fails an obstacle (does not complete it) cannot be ranked higher than a pair that completed all obstacles, even if their total score is higher.

The competition is held class in class – Youth and Amateur riders complete the same or very similar course patterns.