ACTHA Monthly | 8
Heidi’s involvement with ACTHA came at the urging of her riding buddy Clare Reese-Glore in 2010. Clare had sent Heidi the link for the website and said it was something the two of them should check out, after all, many of the things she learned while studying with Kenny Harlow were the perfect fit for ACTHA. Two weeks after her exploration of the ACTHA website Heidi entered her first CTC in March. To date Heidi and Mac have competed in 54 ACTHA competitions. They have earned their Bronze vest, Silver concho and their Gold stirrups and are now working toward their Platinum Award. In the 2012-2013 competitive year they were the North Carolina Open Champions.
If you ask Heidi what ACTHA has done for her as a rider her answer is simple, “It has made me more independent! When I first started entering ACTHA events I wouldn’t go without Clare or my daughter, but now I head out with my husband Marvin as my biggest fan. While Marvin doesn’t ride with me, he lends a hand with the driving, holds Mac, works as a gofer, holds Mac some more and video’s me at obstacles. ACTHA makes strong independent woman! If you like to trail ride it’s a great way to spend time with your family and friends while you learn new things with your equine buddy. Even if you don’t enjoy the obstacles you can ride as a buddy on many fabulous trails that are often not open to the public. For me, much of it is about the communication (or not in some cases) with Mac. I’ve learned a lot from friends I’ve made through ACTHA as they’ve helped me through an obstacle, just as we have shared many laughs at our sometimes humorous executions. When Mac and I started we were the ones being babysat and now we babysit others who are just starting their ACTHA careers.”
In 2012 Heidi decided to become a ride host. She had been to nine rides, had experienced both good and bad and felt strongly that she had the necessary perspective to be a good ride host. She would focus her emphasis on good trails, mostly natural obstacles per ACTHA recommendations, good food and an on time schedule. With support from Marvin, Heidi talked Cece and John Daly of Lochill Farm in Hillsborough, NC into letting her host her first and subsequent ACTHA events at their farm. Lochill Farm is surrounded by beautiful trails and hosting ACTHA events at the farm has allowed Cece and John to keep their trails in top condition. With the help of Heidi and Mac who ride the trails almost every day, the pair is rarely seen leaving the barn without their trusty folding saw and ratchet pruners safely tucked in their saddle bags. Added benefits to working on the trails, Heidi and Mac have improved their communication as they maneuver in and out of trees. In fact, they are already out there making their newest trail, the Raven House Trail.
RIDE HOST SPOTLIGHT
"Follow your planning timeline. We can't say that enough!" Heidi Thiel, Ride Host