Update: when i emailed NACTR about why bell boots are not allowed and to see if the footing would be okay for my horse to do barefoot, I was informed that NACTR considers any horse requiring any boots (except hoof boots of course) to be “inferior” to horses not needing boots. Since my horse benefits from bell boots to make sure he doesn’t step off his shoes due to his huge over stride, I suppose my inferior animal won’t be attending their elite competition. They said I could pay an entry fee to ride with bells and not compete or I could go buy 4 boots for my horse and risk rubbing his heel bulbs, if i can even find boots to fit him since his hooves are wider than they are long.
Um, yeah. This is why I left dressage. All the stuck-up people who think their ideals of the perfect horse should be forced on everyone else.
…
I’m looking at entering the competitive trail ride in Athens TX in September. I can arrange it with a business trip to Dallas to save on me paying my own gas 
Is anyone here planning to attend that ride? It will be my first distance ride and i would love to have someone to help me get a feel for the sport. I will also need somewhere to board my gelding from Sunday thru Friday, preferably closer to Arlington if possible.
