Nebraskaland

OCTOBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 43 C ompetitive trail riders are one of the most eclectic groups of equestrians on the planet. From Wranglers to shorts to neon-colored breeches; from draft crosses to Arabians to sure-footed mules and ponies – riders and mounts of all disciplines and breeds can be found at competitive trail rides (CTRs), an equestrian sport that tests horse and rider skills and endurance. Indian Cave State Park near Shubert is the location of one CTR, put on by the Nebraska Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Association (NECTRA), which is sanctioned by the national organization, the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC). The Nebraska club was founded in 1974, and they have been returning to Indian Cave to ride for nearly four decades, making it the oldest CTR in the nation. Every fall, NATRC riders come to compete over the same set of winding trails – some of which are not open to the public – that offer views of the Missouri River from the park's many hills and bluffs. Not a Race Approximately 42 competitors came to Indian Cave State Park last year, which offers specifi c amenities for riders in its equestrian campground (see sidebar page 45). Riders arrived Friday to set up camp, check in with accredited NATRC veterinary and horsemanship judges to ensure the horses were fi t to compete, and go over the trail map, rules and expectations for the next day's ride. Unlike endurance riding, which is a test of speed where the fi rst horse to cross the fi nish line wins, a competitive trail ride is not a race, and the fastest team may not necessarily be the best team. Rather, a CTR is a test of pace. Teams (horse and rider) have a set amount of time to complete the trail, depending on their division, and early or late arrivals into camp are penalized. CTRs are designed to demonstrate the bond between horse and rider: how well riders can pace their horses, how well- behaved teams are on the trail, how well trail challenges are performed, and how well-conditioned horses are found at veterinary check points. Depending on a rider's division, teams may cover up to 40-60 miles in a single weekend. There are four divisions of competition: novice, competitive/ pleasure (CP), open, and distance only. Novice is for riders and horses new to CTR; CP is for experienced riders who prefer the distance and pace of the novice division and are often members who offer mentoring to novice riders; open division is reserved for highly experienced riders with well-conditioned and trained horses; and distance only is for competitors who do not want to compete for awards but receive credit for their mileage. Novice and CP riders typically cover 30-40 miles in a two-day competition at 3 to 5 mph, while open division competitors cover 50-60 miles in a two-day competition at 4 to 6 mph. Designed to demonstrate high levels of skill and training, trail challenges are more technical in the open division. Additionally, novice and open divisions are divided into three classes: junior (riders age 10-17), lightweight (rider and tack weighing under 189 pounds) and heavyweight (rider and tack weighing 190 and above). The competitive pleasure division is not split into any classes. National awards may be won in both open and CP divisions. In the 2014 competition, the oldest rider to compete was 72-year-old Noreen Altwegg of Kansas, and the youngest rider was her grandson, 14-year-old Ryan Clamm. A Sport for All "NATRC is the melting pot of the horse world," said Sarah Rinne, vice president of the NECTRA and national vice president of the NATRC. Not only do riders of varying ages and backgrounds compete, but competitive trail riding is also open to any horse breed and type of conformation (body build and structure), as long as the horse is healthy and fi t to cover the distance satisfactorily. The sport is not about pedigrees and expensive equipment. Veterinary judge Carrie Porter of Atlanta checks mucous membranes and capillary refill of Rushcreek Allie, an Arabian mare belonging to Brenda Messick's of Ceresco. Story and photos by Jenny Nguyen Indian Cave State Park Indian Cave State Park is located 10 miles south and 5 miles east of Brownville on Nebraska Spur 64E. Indian Cave State Park welcomes the Nebraska Endurance and Competitive Trail Ride Association every fall.

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