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 The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
   
| im a little interested in maybe doing some shorter distance endurance just to spice up my horse life and give a break to horses that need a change of scenery. does anyone on here do competitive trail/ endurance on quarter horses and how did you find good information? I will be the first to admit I know NOTHING other than they have horse check points and distances range from 10 miles to 100. im aware this is also a very big Arabian sport. what is the difference between competitive trail and the endurance ridding??
Edited by Thistle2011 2015-02-27 10:49 AM
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 Expert
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Location: Wisconsin | I'm in the same boat as you. Intrested, but have no idea where to start. I haven't found anyone near by to tag along with. |
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The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| mcorcoran - 2015-02-27 10:51 AM
I'm in the same boat as you. Intrested, but have no idea where to start. I haven't found anyone near by to tag along with.
maybe we will get some good answers then. I will admit I don't want to jump head first with no information into a pool of Arabian owners. 
Edited by Thistle2011 2015-02-27 11:00 AM
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Addicted to Baseball
 
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright, TX | Endurance is the first person to cross the line wins. There are parameters of course for the horses ability to continue at the check points, etc.
Competitive trail you are given a window in which to complete the course - too fast or too slow you're penalized. Horsemanship and the horses behavior may also be judged, how well you navigate the course, etc. You still want as many points as possible in the vet checks.
If it helps, people often start out in CTR's then move to Endurance as their knowledge and dedication to the sport improves.
Edited by Tilt The Kilt 2015-02-27 11:10 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | I Do I do!
I haven't barrel raced since I retired my old guy. I ended up being given a "blown up" barrel horse that is a registered AQHA gelding. I took him out on trail as that relaxed him and got him away from the arena for a bit. I ended meeting folks that compete in NATRC (North American Trail Ride Conference) Distance Competitive Trail. I decided it might be a good break/career change for the gelding so I got him ready and entered a ride. Now I am officially hooked. It is great fun...and a great mental change of pace for the horse.
I have now done both AERC Endurance rides...and the NATRC Competitive Trail. There are several differences and reason one may prefer one flavor over another.
AERC Endurance comes in various distances. 100, 75, 50, 25 and some 15mile Intro rides. It is a Race. You vet in before the start, and have vet checks at intervals throughout the ride. It IS a race and fastest time wins...BUT as they say...To Finish Is to Win and many folks just go for the ride and try to make it within the maximum allowed time.
NATRC Competitive Trail: This is NOT a race. You are given an average pace and a window of time to complete the trail (30 min window). Too fast and you lose points...too slow and you lose points. You vet in prior to start. There is both a Veterinarian judging the horse based on soundness, condition and trail ability...and a Horsemanship Judge that evaluates the rider. You will have check points along the way to monitor pulse and respiration of the horse, and various obstacle challenges along the way. This gives the judges a chance to see you work as a team and for the vet to evaluate the horse. There are two divisions of distance/speed. A shorter distance slower pace group that typically rides 15-20 miles a day at a slower average pace, and a division that rides 25-30 miles each day. There are one and two day competitions.
I know stock breeds can do well at either sport...but they can win and excel in NATRC. By pacing the horse well and conditioning...they can be every bit as competitive as the arabians at the distances we ride..and in some cases their calm demeanor makes them even better at the obstacles.
I enjoy both flavors...but what I LOVE about NATRC is that it engages the mind of the horse more... as well as my mind. Having to keep within the time window and performing the neat obstacle opportunities along the way makes the miles fly by and keeps it interesting. I like having a veterinarian checking my horse all weekend as well. We ride/compete in some really neat places and the group of folks there are so welcoming and helpful to each other. I had new friends on day one at my first ride.
So...all that said...if you have any questions let me know. And if you tell me where you live I can probably get you hooked up with some folks in your area to learn more or try a ride. I compete in Region 4 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas)
http://www.natrc.org |
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The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| TrailGirl - 2015-02-27 11:13 AM
I Do I do! I haven't barrel raced since I retired my old guy. I ended up being given a "blown up" barrel horse that is a registered AQHA gelding. I took him out on trail as that relaxed him and got him away from the arena for a bit. I ended meeting folks that compete in NATRC (North American Trail Ride Conference ) Distance Competitive Trail. I decided it might be a good break/career change for the gelding so I got him ready and entered a ride. Now I am officially hooked. It is great fun...and a great mental change of pace for the horse. I have now done both AERC Endurance rides...and the NATRC Competitive Trail. There are several differences and reason one may prefer one flavor over another. AERC Endurance comes in various distances. 100, 75, 50, 25 and some 15mile Intro rides. It is a Race. You vet in before the start, and have vet checks at intervals throughout the ride. It IS a race and fastest time wins...BUT as they say...To Finish Is to Win and many folks just go for the ride and try to make it within the maximum allowed time. NATRC Competitive Trail: This is NOT a race. You are given an average pace and a window of time to complete the trail (30 min window ). Too fast and you lose points...too slow and you lose points. You vet in prior to start. There is both a Veterinarian judging the horse based on soundness, condition and trail ability...and a Horsemanship Judge that evaluates the rider. You will have check points along the way to monitor pulse and respiration of the horse, and various obstacle challenges along the way. This gives the judges a chance to see you work as a team and for the vet to evaluate the horse. There are two divisions of distance/speed. A shorter distance slower pace group that typically rides 15-20 miles a day at a slower average pace, and a division that rides 25-30 miles each day. There are one and two day competitions. I know stock breeds can do well at either sport...but they can win and excel in NATRC. By pacing the horse well and conditioning...they can be every bit as competitive as the arabians at the distances we ride..and in some cases their calm demeanor makes them even better at the obstacles. I enjoy both flavors...but what I LOVE about NATRC is that it engages the mind of the horse more... as well as my mind. Having to keep within the time window and performing the neat obstacle opportunities along the way makes the miles fly by and keeps it interesting. I like having a veterinarian checking my horse all weekend as well. We ride/compete in some really neat places and the group of folks there are so welcoming and helpful to each other. I had new friends on day one at my first ride. So...all that said...if you have any questions let me know. And if you tell me where you live I can probably get you hooked up with some folks in your area to learn more or try a ride. I compete in Region 4 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas ) http://www.natrc.org
turds! I think im in 6(im in southern Kansas) I was just getting ready to ask if you would be my trail teacher... I have a VERY hot mare (just naturally that way not even seen a barrel pattern yet. That I feel would benefit from NATRC. she is a very happy horse just driven and energized.
Edited by Thistle2011 2015-02-27 11:20 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | Thistle I can definitely connect you with someone in your area. I have good friends in Kansas in the sport. PM me your email address and what town you live in and I'll hook you up!
I will be the Trail Master for the NATRC ride held at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma April 24-26. A lot of Kansas/Region 6 folks come to compete in that ride. If you wanted to come to either ride or volunteer we'd love to have you. Volunteering is a great way to get to know the sport. Some folks bring their horse and volunteer during the ride day...and go off to pleasure ride the trails after the riders get back in camp. (I'll be doing that) Some come just to volunteer.
Just ideas! There are rides in Kansas that are really awesome places to ride as well. Maybe even close to you. I hope I can hook you up with a mentor to ride together now...and then you would already know someone at your first ride. But don't worry. Folks will welcome you and are more than happy to show a new person how it's all done.
And it absolutely does help the mind of a speed event horse to have some variety/trail time. That Gelding I took in went back to barrels and mounted shooting. A friend of mine really wanted him so I traded him to her for a half TB half Clyde gelding that is my main NATRC mount now. Rowdy may be a draft cross but he conditioned up well enough to earn his National Championship in NATRC. |
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The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| TrailGirl - 2015-02-27 11:31 AM
Thistle I can definitely connect you with someone in your area. I have good friends in Kansas in the sport. PM me your email address and what town you live in and I'll hook you up!
I will be the Trail Master for the NATRC ride held at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma April 24-26. A lot of Kansas/Region 6 folks come to compete in that ride. If you wanted to come to either ride or volunteer we'd love to have you. Volunteering is a great way to get to know the sport. Some folks bring their horse and volunteer during the ride day...and go off to pleasure ride the trails after the riders get back in camp. (I'll be doing that) Some come just to volunteer.
Just ideas! There are rides in Kansas that are really awesome places to ride as well. Maybe even close to you. I hope I can hook you up with a mentor to ride together now...and then you would already know someone at your first ride. But don't worry. Folks will welcome you and are more than happy to show a new person how it's all done.
And it absolutely does help the mind of a speed event horse to have some variety/trail time. That Gelding I took in went back to barrels and mounted shooting. A friend of mine really wanted him so I traded him to her for a half TB half Clyde gelding that is my main NATRC mount now. Rowdy may be a draft cross but he conditioned up well enough to earn his National Championship in NATRC.
Awsome sent u a pm |
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Regular
Posts: 98
Location: Kentucky | This thread is awesome! My husband and I are thinking of moving to NC for a change of scenery and it seems like barrel racing is not as common there as it is in Texas. I've been considering getting into competitive trail riding when we move to spice things up and have stuff to do when I'm not running barrels. Had no idea where to start but this at least gives me some things to research! |
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| http://www.natrc.org/ |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | Anyone that is interested I am always happy to answer questions and hook you up with someone in your area. It's a great horsey sport for when you want a change of pace...don't have many barrel events nearby...or have a horse that may not excel at barrels but may just be the right horse for Competitive Trail. It's just dang fun. |
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The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| I'm very excited |
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Veteran
Posts: 260
Location: Gonzales texas | If you want a very relaxed competition with plenty of instruction/clinics available check out Actha (American competitive trail horse association) and eTs (equine trail sports). They are fun,friendly and the websites have lists and videos of obstacles. In general it's 6 miles and six judged obstacles. You go out in small groups at staggered start times. You can choose your level as well. Very fun and relaxing. Changed my hyper horse over night. He loved it! |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | You might check out this website as well. I donated a couple of aged geldings to a place that is a trail riding facility and I got in the email list for this organizations. I've not been to any of the events but it does sound like fun!
https://www.actha.us/
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 New Word Inventor
Posts: 1506
Location: Who knows | I plan on doing ACTHA myself. Looks like a lot of fun. |
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Cold hands and Warm Heart
Location: oklahoma | I would love this! No time right now but thanks for this thread, enjoyed it. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Kansas | One of my good friends who I rode with a lot was really into the competive trail riding. Once a year I entered and went with her. Lake Kanopolis (I went twice) was my favorite. Indian Caves in Ne. was my 2nd favorite. I also rode at Rock Creek/Bridge (?) near Manhattan, Hillsdale and Lake Perry. Since I wanted to ride with her, I entered the open division. Due to all our daily pasture and trail riding it was an easy ride, I even placed a couple of times.
It was fun and something different for my barrel horse.
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