trail classes

Question
I am interested in trail classes. Are there any books or videos you could
suggest to help me set up and navigate a course at home? Where are the best
shows in the midwest (IL/WI/IA/IN) to compete in open trail classes?

Thanks so much
Allana

Answer
Hi Allana!

I LOVE trail!  Check with your breed associations first.  If you have a Quarter Horse, you can contact your local AQHA chapter, they will have a listing of the shows for the next year.  Same thing goes for Paints and Appaloosa Horse.  If you do not have registered stock and you do not belong to a breed association, there are lots of All-Breed associations that sponsor all-breed shows.  Look at local horse publications and there are always listings of local open shows there.

If you are in Ohio in October, go and watch the All American Quarter Horse Congress!  It is the largest single breed horse show in the world.  With thousands of Quarter Horses' in attendance, it is the best way that I know of to educate yourself and be able to watch tons of really great horses.  You are sort of in that neck of the woods, so I would keep my mid-October open and ready for a trip to Congress!

Another good resource for building a trail course is the AQHA rule book.  It outlines all of the obstacles that will be found in AQHA competitions.  Just read and then build!  A good starter course will have walk, trot, and canter poles; a bridge, gate, mailbox, tarp or slicker, side pass, back through to name a few.  You can also order DVD's of the AQHA World Show trail horse classes.  The have all the go-rounds or just the finals.  Look at the best of the best the learn from them!  

You will also find Mountain Trail Competitions and Competitive trail rides popping up around the country.  These can be great little events.  My basic rule of thumb in riding some of these courses is if I wouldn't do it out on a real trail ride, I won't do it in a made up competition.  I will never ride my horse into trouble.  I won't ride through bogs or anything else I deem not safe or smart for my horse.  So, always use your common sense and good judgement in anything you do.  If your life does not depend on it, think first!

Have Fun!  Be creative when building your course.  Trail horse is good for everyone!

Smiles, Denise