My Journey to Equine Trail Sports
By Michelle Smith
Little did I know or expect that this particular event would change the next year of my life.
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!
30 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Randy Gassett
I
just want to TRAIL RIDE!!! Words I would repeat to myself over and over again when my new horse (Travis) was not quite the trail horse I was told he was. There was nobody at my barn that I felt was confident enough to go out on the trail, which was foreign to me. The barn is so close to the trails you can saddle at the barn and be on the trail in a few minutes. I would do this all the time with my “heart horse” (Dakota). However, my new horse Travis was not as confident as I hoped he would be (or lead to believe). He was insecure, fearful, not thinking, and disconnected from me on the trail. He spooked me when I tried to go out by myself, which put me in a position of becoming fearful of the trail.
and be on the trail in a few minutes. I would do this all the time with my “heart horse” (Dakota). However, my new horse Travis was not as confident as I hoped he would be (or lead to believe). He was insecure, fearful, not thinking, and disconnected from me on the trail. He spooked me when I tried to go out by myself, which put me in a position of becoming fearful of the trail.
The horse I bought to do dressage with, who became “sour in the ring” (before me) was not well-balanced outside his barn. I would travel three to four hours to be with friends that would trail ride with me. I had to plan around their schedules and hope we could get together. My horse was still not confident because there was no consistency. I have 5000 acres of wildlife preserve and trails but, I had no one to ride with. I would hand walk Travis on the trail, working on his confidence from the ground. However, he would still act fearful. He would be considerably happier with a confident horse. That is when I found Equine Trail Sports (ETS). I had never done any type of obstacle trail riding in the past. I was very much intrigued with the theory of doing what was best for the horse; performing the level you felt most confident with. I felt this was exactly what I was looking for to build our trust and confidence. I found an event not far from my home, contacted the host, and signed up for my first competition.
The host, Beth Moran was gracious to my request of being with a confident rider/horse. She did not know me, my background, or my riding skills but after asking some questions somehow, she picked the perfect individuals for me to ride with. I ended up meeting so many friendly, supportive people. People who supported one another and welcomed me with open arms. It was not your normal competition, they would not only encourage you, but it was also evident that they meant it. They sincerely wanted you and your horse to do well. Ribbons were awarded in three categories, novice, intermediate, and advanced. The judges were fair and gave shout-outs to people who might not have been the best, but put the horse first, or had a great attitude no matter what the outcome. Often told the “pluses are for emotion, and the scores are technical.”