Competitive Trail Riding with North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC)
Are you looking for a little adventure? Give competitive trail riding a try. The North American Trail Ride Conference is a governing body over competitive trail riding (CTR). In this episode, I talk to Sarah Rinne, NATRC’s Executive Director about the sport. Involved with the organization since 1988, Sarah is a wealth of knowledge.
The NATRC sets rules and has guidelines for trail rides. Sanctioned NATRC rides judge riders on horsemanship and horse care. Their competitions place an emphasis on rider and horse safety. The conference establishes levels so riders can compete with others of similar ability. All horses, including mules, are eligible to take part in every ride. A competitive trail ride is not a speed event. Riders have to manage the course and speed to arrive at checkpoints within a certain time frame. Horses have mandatory breaks and veterinary checks to insure they are fit to continue. Riders can also expect to be judged negotiating natural trail obstacles during a ride.
Links to Competitive Trail Riding Heard in this Episode
Public Facebook Page for the NATRC
NATRC YouTube Page with lots of good information
Email for more information on the Old West CTR in Tehachapi September 4 & 5
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John & Ranae
Episode #189
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