Open to ALL BREEDS & Disciplines!

No membership required to participate

All Breed Division & AQHA Division

  Trail Horse Merits-available for AQHA Trail Horses.   You must present your member # & horse registration # upon check in to qualify for AQHA merits. ( no exceptions)  

Be Sure to Register to Reserve your spot   Register Now!

View a Horse Tales TV Episode from our event in 2014 Here!

Thursday & Friday

 "Developing Your Trail Horse" 

Trail Horse Clinic   

 New format for 2016!   

DEFINITION & DURATION  (3pm-6pm Thursday & 10am-4pm on Friday)  This is a 2 day Clinic which takes place mostly out on the trail where those who enjoy this activity are often faced with problems that can't be duplicated in an arena. Focusing on building confidence and staying safe.

CURRICULUM - Trail Ride Clinics include using the same basics, cues for going forward, backing up, emergency stops,  and giving to the bit, as does the regular Rider's Clinic. It also addresses such things as "jigging" on the trail, crossing streams and bridges, and problems that arise while riding with other horses. The added pleasure of this Clinic is to enjoy the beauty of the out-of-doors and our wonderful location.   The first half day of this Clinic will take place in an arena to allow horses and riders to get to know each other and for the Clinicians to evaluate each horse and rider to make sure everyone knows some basic cues in order to stay safe out on the trail. Participants with other problems will also have those problems addressed. 

Note: In the event of bad/dangerous weather the clinic may be moved to a covered arena.  

PARTICIPATION - Pre-Registration is required. Contact PPE to register. This Clinic is designed for those who wish to improve their enjoyment and safety while trail riding and to maneuver basic obstacles. Please do not bring a horse that has never been outside an arena or show ring. Horses must have had at least some trail experience prior to the Clinic. Stall is included for Thursday night. If you or your horse have had no trail riding experience, contact PPE for information about what you can do to prepare to participate in a Trail Ride Clinic.

Participation in the Clinic includes stall fee for Thursday night and a chance to have horse chosen for the NEW Equine Makeover Team Challenge (4 horses will be selected from the first 15 registered for the clinic).

What is the Equine Makeover Challenge?  

Upon registration for the 2 day clinic you can enter your horse to be chosen for one of 4 finalists spots for our Equine Makeover Challenge.  If selected riders will be invited to arrive a little early to the event so they can be teamed up with a Clinician to compete in our Equine Makeover Challenge on Friday evening around 7pm.   You will get to spend one on one time with  your assigned Clinician to go over techniques and skills to use during the Friday Obstacle Challenge.  You will compete on your horse in the first class along with the other horse owners. The Clinician will compete on your horse against the other Clinicians in the 2nd class.  The scores will be combined for a Winner with awards & prizes provided by our Sponsors. 

   Clinic participants may arrive anytime after Thursday 12pm

Saturday & Sunday: The Trail Horse Challenge Competitions

 3 Trail Horse Classes:   

  1.In-Hand Obstacle Class -Saturday 10am  

  2.Trail Course Obstacle Class -Saturday 1pm 

  3.Trail Pleasure Obstacle Class-Sunday 10am 

*(AQHA Division, All Breed Division seperate for this class only)

Adult & Youth Divisions- 3 Levels in each division: Training, Intermediate & Masters   

Level 1 -Training Level: This is considered a new partnership. The rider and horse may not have established trust or are unsure about each member's ability to negotiate simple obstacles.  Obstacles should be easy to explain to the team: basic maneuver or technique needed to complete the obstacle.

Level 2-Intermediate Level: This is considered an established Partnership. The rider and Horse are familiar with one another, exhibit trust when negotiating obsacles are conditioned to ride a longer course. 

Level 3-Masters Level:  This is considered a Partnership where Horse and rider have established trust, can negotiate difficult obstacles and are conditioned for a longer course. 

Competitors may arrive Friday after 12pm

You may show in 1 class or all 3.  One horse/One rider in Trail Course. A rider may show multiple horses in both the In-Hand & Trail Pleasure Classes only. Riders may ride same horse in upper division as an "Exhibition Run Only".

   All classes will have multiple judges. Come be a part of unique & exciting Equine Opportunity focusing on the Trail Horse!

Additional PPE Events for 2016:

February 20th-27th-Equine Excursion to Florida

April 2016 -Great American Trail Horse Sale Lexington, VA

June 24th-July 28th Summer Equine Excursion TN,MO,SD,WY,NE,AL

September 22nd-October 22nd Fall Equine Excursion TN-TX