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
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