Walking On Volume 5, Issue 5, May 2018 | Page 15

nce Competitive Trail Rides Vasa, NATRC lie down if she chooses. Sure, you might feel move- ment on the trailer at night, but it’s not like she is tap dancing on the side of the trailer. If the horse does get in trouble, you will be the first to hear or feel it, unlike being cast in an unfamiliar corral or pen. Have you ever seen all the rodeo horses standing tied to an arena? Our horses are competition horses, and like those rodeo horses, they know it is their rest- ing place. You will be surprised. In addition, you never have to worry about where to stable your horse in an emergency because they can stand safely at your trailer. me to be a better rider. We can’t look in the mirror when riding down the trail, but we can be seen in an expert’s eyes and be provided with useful feedback. ©JIM EDMONDSON Walking and trotting are the norm. Occasionally, some will canter or the sheer joy of it. 4. I could never ride that far and that fast! ©KIMBERLY MURPHY One of many natural obstacles riders encounter out on the trail where the judges might just be watching. 3. Obstacles. You want me to do WHAT (fill in the blank)? I could get myself into quite a tizzy worrying about obstacles. When riding with my husband, I couldn’t figure out if he should go first or if I should go first; my heart would pound. However, if you look closely at your horse’s score card, it is more important to be healthy and sound than it is to back between two trees. My horse can sometimes ace the metabolic checks and soundness. She might not sidepass pretty over a log, but has won because she is fit and healthy. I went from fear of obstacles to looking forward to them and being a bit disappointed if we don’t see the judge as often as I hoped! The horsemanship card helps Novice competitors ride about 15 to 20 miles each day. The speed varies over terrain but most generally not more than 4 mph. A good trail horse can easi- ly walk a 4 mph pace if asked. When I ride with my pleasure riding friends, we usually average around 2.5 mph (yawn), and my legs and back are feeling it by the end of the ride. I enjoy changing gaits to keep my body in motion. I mix up my pace with walking and trotting and maybe even lope if I find the perfect spot. Most riders will keep it at a walk and occasional trot. Time goes very fast on the trail, and you will be surprised when the ride is over. 5. The entry fees are too pricy. Unless you are riding at home, anytime you haul a horse off the property, there are expenses. When riding CTR, you will incur camping fees, health papers charges and ride fees. Not to mention fuel and neces- sities while camping. If you were going to a barrel race or roping, you would most likely incur those same fees, and your ride would only last a few seconds. You might get a few minutes in the arena at a horse show and pay 15