New Trail Challenge . . . Are You Up To It? After much hard work developing a challenge course that was not only safe but designed to test both horse and rider we were ready. On Aug 10 we started our first Trail Challenge. Josh Guin of Crossroads Natural Horsemanship and Moses Woodson of Crescent A Farms would be our clinicians and what a fantastic job they would do. On Friday night we all got together in the dining hall for a great meal and a meet and greet. Josh and Moses were introduced and all of the participants rated themselves and their horses. This gave Moses and Josh an ideal of how each person felt about themselves and their horses. How we feel about ourselves and our horses isn’t always true, sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit and sometimes we give ourselves too much. Opinions would change through out the next two days. Bright and early Saturday breakfast was served by some of our friends that had volunteered to help out and then it was out to the horses. The group was split in two with half going with Moses and half going with Josh. Both started with basic groundwork in the pens. Some participants were familiar with this but most were not. It was fascinating to watch as horses and owners started to connect in a new way. After working with each person it was off to the trail. But something was different; no one was on their horse.They were all going through the course on lead. Now many will say that would be easy but have you ever asked your horse to do something without being in front of it? Try to send your horse through a water crossing without leading it through and see what happens. All horses and owners survived and the bonds of trust were growing stronger. Lunch was served while all reflected on and discussed the morning’s advents and then it was back to the horses. This time they started with ground work with the saddle on and then with the rider on. The smile of a rider when for the first time their horse yields its hindquarters is priceless. After working in the pens again it was out to the course. The course challenged all but in different ways. Some horses took the water crossing in stride while others thought if they touched the water they would surely drown. The hanging tarp proved to be scary for some while others just wanted to see what was on the other side. The bridge was challengingfor most as the horses thought it would be just as easy to walk around it as to go over it. All in all the riders and their horses faced over 20 challenges and lived to tell the tale. At supper the dining hall was abuzz with excitement as everyone talked about the things they had accomplished. Both clinicians took the time to visit with all and answer questions. It was wonderful to listen to everyone as they shared their stories of how they had done that day. Some were more confident and others realized how much their relationship with their horse had changed. As Sunday morning rolled around everyone was wondering how they and their horse would do while being judged. A few even practiced a little on the course and were surprised to have their horse going through obstacles that only yesterday they had refused or had put up a fight before going through. The course would be judged on rider’s ability and horse’s willingness and part of the course would be timed. There was excitement in the air as the first rider took off and as the rider reached mid course the next rider would start. Though everyone was competing they were very supportive of each other as they cheered each other to the finish line. After everyone completed the course the clinicians were challenged on the timed part of the course with their horses. It’s hard to believe but they finished with only one second difference with the win going to Moses. So who was the big winner? A very surprised Dottie! She was sure that she had lost because of the timed events but had shown such control and smoothness throughout that she made up for it. Congratulations Dottie! Everyone that competed had a great time and I think learned something not only about horsemanship but also about them selves. I congratulate everyone who participated as there were no losers and I want thank all who volunteered to help; we couldn’t have done this without you. I also wish to thank Josh and Moses for a job well done. We are looking forward to our next challenge on November 2-4 and have designed a few more obstacles and were wondering …. ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE? For more information, contact Timber Ridge Horse Campground at 931-879-7433 or visit http://www.horse-camping.com.