The obstacle is not the main point of obstacle training. Many times, when people see a bridge, they think going over the bridge is the main point. On the contrary, the goal is to actually create a trusting equine that stays centered and maintains a steady speed, not just walking over the bridge.
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The main thing to think about when building an obstacle is safety for you and the equine.
Always use quality products. I like to use only 2” thick (actually 1 ½” thick) materials for any obstacles the equine will be standing on.
We use screws instead of nails to ensure they stay put. We don’t w...
When you have been riding your mule at your home and you really think they are solid, think again. There are three things in this world that will keep you humble: toddlers, drunks, and your mule. My mule has surprised me in good ways and bad ways while traveling with him in the past. In order to...
Country Tough Trail Versatility (CT2V) is a nationals versatility association. Competitors have three events in trail, obstacles, and a ranch horsemanship pattern. All scores are combined for an overall versatility placing.
2020 is the third year for CT2V. In 2019, the association grew over 100%...
Just to think that Country Tough Trail Versatility (CT2V) had 38 participants in 2018, and has 165 members in 2020 is humbling. CT2V was founded by David and Brandy Von Holten in Mora, MO. CT2V is a competition association that is a combination of obstacles without any points for speed, a ranch...
JoJo, a 9 year old Missouri Fox Trotter John mule, is rocking the mounted archery world! A national mounted archery competition was held Oct 26-28, 2018 in Mora, Missouri. With mounted archery just now making its way into Missouri and Kansas, every competitor present was able to say that it was the...
Bits can be tricky, and you can find yourself disqualified very quickly if you do not understand the rules about bits and training aides.
Before we talk about bits, let’s discuss training aides. Tie downs, cavessons, and running martingales are training aides. They are meant to help in small dose...
As a trail riding facility owner and equine event host, I have noticed trends, highs, and lows. It appears that people want more these days when it comes to their expectations from their equine. There was a huge spike in obstacle competitions in the past, but now there is a transition from obstacl...
Let me give you a brief feel for my absolute favorite sport with my mule, mounted archery. If you are right handed, you have your bow in your left hand. Your stirrups are a little shorter than you are used to typically, but that is ok, because you are lifted out of your seat. You’re riding a sadd...
Let me introduce you to Bill Hachmeister! Bill is a serious competitor in equine obstacle competitions, a former serious softball competitor, but he is also a beloved son, father, husband, and grandfather. Bill was selected to be on the national board for the Country Tough Trail Versatility (CT2V)...
The Illinois Horse Fair was held in Springfield, IL March 2-4, 2018! Amongst all the excitement from vendors, clinicians, and spectators, a huge draw was to the breed show. The breed show showcased around twenty different acts from sidesaddle, Appaloosas, trick riders, American Saddlebreds, Mustan...
Have you ever had someone demand something when you would have gladly done it if they would have asked nicely? Have you ever had a boss that was too bossy? Think about how much more could get done if every request was asked, then told, and then demanded. This is the basis of earning the trust of ...
