News & Events COMPETITIVE TRAIL NEWS IN THE SOUTHWEST


WEATHER PLAYS HAVOC WITH OK NATRC EVENTS Two North American Trail Ride Conference


(NATRC) competitive trail rides were impacted by se- vere weather in the Midwest in late May and early June. The Indian Territory CTR at Zink Ranch in Sand Springs, OK scheduled for Memorial Day weekend was cancelled when that area west of Tulsa suffered catastrophic flooding of the Arkansas River. This event will not be rescheduled in 2019. The Woods Ranch Wander CTR in Boswell, OK


scheduled for June 7-8 was postponed due to exces- sive rain which compromised the trails at that loca- tion. This ride is now scheduled for Labor Day weekend, August 31-September 1. Those registered for the original event will automatically be registered for rescheduled ride and additional entries are being accepted. All NATRC events are published on natrc.org


where on-line registration is available on the Ride Management System. w


CHOOSING THE RIGHT LESSON /TRAIL CLINIC FOR YOU


by Lissa Rabon In every discipline, every job and some-


times hobby, if it is a person’s desire to advance, they find a coach or mentor. Here in the south- west, weather is perfect for spending a day, weekend or hour learning how to be a better rider while sitting aboard our favorite horse or, simply and less expensively, auditing a clinic. There are as many options as there are rid-


ers in the world, so how does one find a teacher or clinic that is appropriate? Instructors, trainers or coaches are not one size fits all. Word of mouth, magazines, feed stores and the internet will guide you to potential sources of learning. Here is a list of to ask when talking with a potential instructor.


Have it prepared so you can write the answers as they are given. 1. What discipline do they teach? No sense in taking a reining lesson if you are a


trail rider. 2. May you take individual lessons or do


you have to buy a package deal? 3. Are you and your horse at the level where


you can take the lesson or clinic on your own horse or do you need to be on a lesson


horse?


Jim Miller on Buddy


WAYFARER OPENS FOR REGISTRATION JULY 1 The Wayfarer at Parrie Haynes West Side


to be held September 14-15 in Killeen, TX will open for entries on July 1. This is the sixth year for the NATRC event to be held at the 6,000-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country. “We are always happy to host NATRC


events here at Parrie Haynes,” said Kate Hol- lar who manages the facility for the Boys & Girls Club which is also the beneficiary of the ride. “The facilities are ideal for both horses and riders, as the trails are well-marked and there are electric hook-ups, a bunkhouse and a pool.” The Wayfarer will offer four divisions,


some of which are two-day competitions and some are one day, of varying distances and speeds. The Open division covers 50-60 miles over two days, Novice and Competitive Pleas- ure cover 30-40 miles over two days, with a one-day Competitive Pleasure event of 18 miles on Sunday only. “For those wanting to see what NATRC


4. How much is a lesson? 5. May you watch a lesson being given to


get a feel for their style of teaching? Not every instructor is for every student. 6. Does the instructor have experience


with your skill level? 7. Do they have any accreditations? Go to their Facebook page and read about


them. Read reviews. Visit the facility and, last but not least, follow your intuition. A com-


mitment to one lesson is not for life and any instructor or clinician with your best in-


terest at heart would like you to do what it takes to find the right fit. If it isn’t them, that’s


okay. Keep looking and don’t settle. There are so


many gifted instructors, some will be what


you need and some will not. Have fun with it and always remember we ride because we love it. w


July 2019 SouthWest Horse Trader 25


competitive trail rides are about, this year we have introduced the Leisure Division which is a one-day event of 10 miles at mostly walking speed,” said Elaine Swiss, the Wayfarer ride manager. Questions can be directed to Swiss at 830- 825-3032 or on swissranch@earthlink.net. w


Kris Hapgood at a vet check


Optical Harmonics


Optical Harmonics


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