Check out our Host and Judges section of our web site or get out and have some fun with your equine. Check out the calendar on the Equine Trail Sports website (www.equinetrailsports.com/events) for an event in your area, or contact us to host your own event. We are here to support you!
28 / Sport and Trail Magazine
I BECAME AN ETS RIDE HOST
Leah Norstrud started riding as an adult after a trail ride on her honeymoon. Leah primarily enjoys dressage and working equitation riding today. She learned the basics of riding in St. Louis, Missouri which included western pleasure, trail riding and jumping. After moving to Texas, she became more interested in classical dressage riding and natural horsemanship with trainers Kim Brunson and Brent Graef. Leah currently rides a warmblood mare named “Fiona” in Working Equitation shows, a foundation AQHA mare “Dixie” and Arabian mare “Laureyn.”
I was looking for a venue to expand my trail riding skills and to help me and my horses get out of the arena. I needed motivation too. After a long workday or a long work week, I find it hard to muster the energy to load up the horses and trailer to a trail head. However, if I sign up for events I am more motivated to practice and/or get outside on my horse when other people are going to join in the fun.
A LITTLE COMPETITION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
Several people at the Brunson Equestrian Center in Tyler, Texas, ride together on the weekends on outside trails. Hosting Equine Trail Sports events gave us a chance to motivate each other to improve our trail riding skills, share our beautiful facility that we love with others and meet new people.
I am very excited to create a trail ride experience that excites and invigorates others to learn new skills and feel successful with their horses. Creating a course with interesting obstacles is a great way to inspire others to work on their horsemanship.
Riding on trails and through obstacles has helped me view my horses as partners and not just an employee or robot. Horses are our partners and this is even more important when traversing miles of unpredictable terrain. You must rely on each others intelligence and “feel” in order to make it along the trail together.
Riders enjoying the trails at the Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas.