News & Events COMPETITIVE TRAIL NEWS IN THE SOUTHWEST
COMPETITORS WEATHER POLE CANYON CTR
Texas weather can be fickle, but this year the NATRC competitive
trail ride at Pole Canyon Ranch in Quitaque, Texas on April 7-8 hit the extremes in a 48-hour period. Competitors timed out on trail on Saturday morning at 7:30 with the temperature hovering at 18 degrees and a wind chill in the single digits due to 30 mph gusts. By Sunday afternoon, tem- peratures soared to the mid-80s and riders and horses shed clothing at every pulse and respiration checkpoint. The veterinarian and horseman- ship judges were bundled in parkas one day and sweating in T-shirts the next. The same held true for the steadfast volunteers out on trail. When the final scores were calculated, it was a ride not to be soon forgotten with stories to be told and re-told in ride camps for years to come. w
TO CLINIC OR NOT TO CLINIC Horsemanship clinics have exploded in the Southwest like so many wild-
flowers in spring. There are clinics offered by individual trainers, equine fa- cilities, breed clubs and organizations, often several each weekend. In April each of the competitive trail organizations offered a clinic to in-
troduce new riders to the sport. The North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) offered one at C-Bar Ranch in Waco, Texas in conjunction with the Raising the Bar Competitive Trail Ride, and another at the Sand Hills CTR in Kansas. The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) offered one at 7IL in Cat Spring, Texas and the Texas Trail Challenge Club (TTCC) offered one at Parrie Haynes Ranch in Killeen, Texas. Clinics are a wonderful, non-threatening and non-competitive way to be-
come familiar with a new sport or a new competitive trail format. Often the cost in minimal or is free if a competition is entered. The hosts and clinicians are experienced competitors and can anticipate concerns and questions, even if not asked. Generally, participants bring their own horse, but sometimes au- diting without a horse makes sense. The competitive trail clinics are almost always offered at a location where
events are also held which is the best way to become familiar with not only the format, but also the actual environment for a competition. Judging criteria are explained as are the rules for camping, horse handling and drug testing, all of which vary by sanctioning body. If a new trail format
seems intimidating to enter an outright competition, sign up for one of the fall clinics that are in the planning stages now. More information can be found on the NATRC, AERC and TTCC websites and Face- book pages. w
26 SouthWest Horse Trader May 2018
Jonni Jewell
Jonni Jewell
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