Ribbons can motivate people and become a joyous reminder of achieving a sought after goal. Ribbons do not get enough credit for what they do for a person’s sense of pride. Through owning a trail riding facility that hosts numerous events throughout the year in everything ranging...
Having rules or guidelines in place will help you keep your facility or the location of your event in tip top shape! You cannot assume that people will know what is expected, especially since we all have different backgrounds and experiences. My husband and I own a trail riding facility...
If you are a host of any obstacle competition, after a few events you start drawing a blank on how to change things up and keep people raving about your events and coming back! Here’s the deal, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The key to having new obstacles is to...
There are ways to design your course for your competition to run smoothly and time efficiently. Understanding the two major types of obstacles will help you begin designing a course that people will rave about and look forward to returning to in the future. There are typically two...
My husband and I own and operate Von Holten Ranch, a trail riding facility in Mora, MO. We have hosted over 70 events a year. When people view our life looking from the outside in, they think this is a cake walk and think there is not any stress related to owning a trail riding...
Life is always about the little details. If someone remembers your birthday and sends a card, that means more than wishing you happy birthday on Facebook. If someone makes you a cup of coffee and remembers that you like 2 tablespoons of almond creamer and one stevia, your day is...
Equifest of Kansas is a three-day expo put on yearly by the Kansas Horse Council. It is a big deal for the equine industry in Kansas and Missouri. Equifest is vital to our trail riding facility. We only close three times per year; Christmas, deer hunting season, and Equifest of...
CT2V, Country Tough Trail Versatility, has two In Hand Divisions: Foundations I and Foundations II. Champion and Reserve Champion buckles will be awarded during the Country Tough Trail Versatility National Championship held in Mora, MO.
CT2V is a versatility association that combines...
Before we start talking about why Leroy Van Dyke was selected to perform at the 2019 Country Tough Trail Versatility National Championship, let me introduce Leroy to any that may not know him.
Crazy cool facts about Leroy Van Dyke:
- Entertainer of the Decade for the 1960’s
- ...
You see a ditch crossing in your path coming up and you know exactly what your mule is about to do; JUMP IT! Now, if your mule is anything like my old barrel horse, it can’t just jump it enough to clear the ditch. Nope, your mule has to clear something as wide as a lake and as...
Hosting an event will be easy and will make us a bunch of money! Those are words of a person that has never hosted an equine event. Hosting equine events and competitions will put you, judges, and volunteers to the verge of exhaustion and deep into a mental fog.
When my husband and I...
2024 has one big change in-store for Von Holten Ranch; the addition of a homesteading expo in July and homesteading courses throughout the year. What is homesteading? Homesteading is basically the producing, preparing, procuring, and preserving of foods. Examples: canning,...
