ISO a trail riding buddy, SLC Utah area

[Smashley]

Hello! I am having trouble finding a trail buddy. The barn I board in is primarily H/J competition. I don’t want to move out because I love the owners, it’s very reasonably priced, and my horse is well taken care of.

As an adult novice, I am struggling with networking since I don’t compete. I do not have a truck and trailer and I would need a ride, but I am more than happy to compensate. I don’t mind longer rides, but I am still working on feeling secure so a fast walk/trot and maybe a little cantering is an ideal trail ride for me. If you have any networking suggestions that would be awesome!

[lawndart]

Join Back Country Horsemen for your state. They have various rides and get togethers

[Smashley]

@lawndart

Join Back Country Horsemen for your state. They have various rides and get togethers

This was great advice! Thank you! I emailed a couple chapters since I live near one but board near the other. Fingers crossed I can get something worked out with one of them.

[AshleyandAnnabel]

You have some incredible trails up near SLC! I rode 75 miles out there exactly a year ago in Strawberry. Beautiful! Very sad I won’t make it up there this year.

1. Join HTCAA- Horse Trails and Camping Across America Facebook Group.
2. You can find a mentor or riding partner on www.aerc.org This is for Endurance riding but there are plenty of Endurance riders who may have greener horses willing to do some laid back trail rides. I don’t know where Erda or Roy, Utah is in the northern area but there are two mentors listed in Utah.
3. Join “North American Endurance Green Beans” on Facebook. I’m not pressuring you to try Endurance but it really is a good start to get into life out on the trails, it’s where I started. There are lots of people just like you that have left other disciplines and are scratching their heads on how to get started in active trail riding. I’m currently developing a blog/guide for riders leaving other disciplines who want to get more invested in trail riding but don’t exactly know what to do.
4. Consider joining/researching NATRC. Similar to Endurance, it’s an organization that promotes the safety and education of trail riding and would be a great opportunity to meet up with other riders.

[Smashley]

I do not have the resources (or the driving skill blush) for a truck and trailer, so I am relying on the kindness of strangers. I am not against trying Endurance riding. My fear is that I would get really into it and then have no way to shuttle around. What are your thoughts on that?

[cloudy18]

I second joining HCTAA on Facebook. There might be riders near you who are willing to pick you up.

[Smashley]

Thank you, I just joined as a “community” member

[AshleyandAnnabel]

@Smashley

I do not have the resources (or the driving skill blush) for a truck and trailer, so I am relying on the kindness of strangers. I am not against trying Endurance riding. My fear is that I would get really into it and then have no way to shuttle around. What are your thoughts on that?

It’s definitely hard to do endurance without a truck and trailer. I think what would work more solidly is to work with one of those mentors and see if they have a horse you can ride. I know plenty of E-riders who are always looking for catch riders. My good friend has had more catch riders complete on one of her Mustangs more than she has while she focuses on her more experienced mare. You should start looking up rides in the MT (Mountain) region and hang out and camp for a weekend just to meet people and get more of a feel for it.

[Smashley]

I like the idea of exploring the catch rider route. Thank you!