do participants wait before they go into a class to show?” or “Where do the participants of a clinic wait?” or “will the site hold all of the participants?” or “where will the judges sit?” These are just a few of the concerns that must be addressed when designing a Mountain Trail course. Each course also is designed to blend into its surroundings, like part of the natural landscape. Whether it’s built of rocks in Scotland, palm trees in Florida or desert vegetation in New Mexico, it must feel like part of the land.
Mountain Trail and Extreme Mountain Trail
challenges and shows are fun social events where
good horsemanship is practiced. Horses are
challenged to navigate through obstacles and
riders are challenged to trust their horses in the
process. Hence, a true partnership between horse
and rider is realized, and every person
participating or watching enjoys their journey.
Learn more online:
less and time is money. With this
site we had a few logistical
challenges to deal with such as
getting trucks in and out when it
rained. With that said we became
very adept at pulling trucks out
with a D6 Cat bulldozer. The wet
conditions also demanded we use
50% more gravel than projected.
Wet conditions also bring safety
challenges in operating
equipment and just walking in slick
mud plus electricity and rain don’t
mix well. With all the challenges
everyone put in a little more effort
so we could finish enough of the
course to hold a clinic on the
weekend. My son stayed for an
extra week to help the Rowans
complete the course and finish up
the landscaping plus many other
little details after holding a clinic.
The clinic went off great on the
course that was 90% complete.
The course was designed with
several circles built into it, so the
horses can move in an unrestricted
manner from obstacle to obstacle.
My favorite circle is up and around
the trestle bridge. You have several
options as to how you approach or
enter the circle but once you reach
the top you have a very steep drop
that you must slow to a trot as you
descend 15 feet down and then
into the water pond. One young
fearless rider was all smiles for
what kid does not like to push the
limits and have fun. Everyone had a great time navigating the water box and all were surprised how quickly the horses figured out that the water box monster was nothing more than a box with water that moved in it.
All the obstacles on the trail course serves two functions. They are a training tool incorporating proven techniques of Horsemanship and at the same time are aesthetically pleasing and complements the beauty of the surrounding landscape. This trail course has a nice flow which is designed to challenge the horse instead of intimidating it. The flow pattern also is uniquely designed and constructed to instruct and inspire the rider. One thing most individuals love about a golf course is the beauty of the course itself. That is what I strive for in a Mountain Trail Course. I want the beauty with a practical application of form to function that allows me to enjoy the beauty, while building the boldness and confidence in the horse and rider. To some a course that is pleasing to the eye is not a thing of concern but to some it is everything. The horse is a majestic noble elegant animal of great beauty and it is fun when the surroundings can enhance that beauty. Many of the cowboys of the past lived with that beauty on a daily basis and loved every minute of it. As you will see by the photos with a little thought one can mix logs, rocks and plants to create a pleasing natural looking affect in which to ride and train in.
Often the beauty hides the hazards and dangers that lie on the trail. Yet the dangers must be addressed in order to continue the journey. This course has elements of all the obstacles that lie and are hidden on the mountain trails that take us close to where the eagles soar. This course offers the beginner or the Olympic rider a challenge yet is safe when properly used. Each and every rider in the clinic was successful in navigating each and every obstacle while having a great time. The discipline of Mountain Trail is putting the fun back into learning horsemanship. This course will be enjoyed by many for years to come.
For more information on the Mountain Trail course at Coyote Crossing Cattle Company visit https://coyotecrossingcattlecompany.com/mountain-trail.
Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CoyoteCrossingFarms
Happy Trails and Bolender Blessings
Mark Bolender
New IMTCA Course Built in Virginia
Coyote Crossing Cattle Company
Owners, The Rowan Family
Bedford, Virginia
By
Mark Bolender