Davidson Knoll Farm will be hosting its fourth annual Trail Trial on Sunday, June 29th, 2008. All proceeds will benefit the EquiCenter, a therapeutic equestrian center for people with disabilities and at-risk youth located in Mendon, NY.

Sponsored by:


Webster Stables   Pheasant Hill Farm

Riding a horse on a trail has always been one big obstacle course. Davidson Knoll Farm has taken this fact one step further and is hosting its fourth Trail Trial. During this event riders are judged on their skills and abilities to guide their horses through a natural obstacle course. A Trail Trial consists of a ride with approximately 10-12 judged natural obstacles that appear along a trail of several miles.

A Trail Trial takes place out of the arena along a specifically marked trail which usually takes one to two hours to complete. There are various obstacles along the way with a judge positioned at each, so you will be scored by several different judges, each with their own judging style. The judge compares the way the horse and rider meet the obstacle with a standard. There are no time requirements and the participant is only judged while negotiating obstacles. The pace of the trail ride is the choice of the rider.

The program is open to all breeds from Icelandic ponies to Warmbloods, as well as all riding disciplines. Any type of tack is acceptable. Boots and helmets are required for safety. Current Coggins and Rabies papers are required. All youth age 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

New division!
There are four divisions this year - Trail Boss, Green Horn, Junior, and the new Hunter/Eventer division. The Greenhorn Division is for the beginner rider or horse (one to two years trail riding experience). The Trail Boss is an open division for more experienced horses and riders. Junior division is for those riders 18 and under. The Hunter/Eventer division is for the fox hunting and eventing crowd and will include more jumps and other hunt-related obstacles. Ribbons are awarded for first through tenth place in each division. There will be prizes for youngest and oldest riders, high score and several other creative categories.

The first rides of the day will start at 9AM and others will follow at three-minute intervals with the last rider beginning at 2 PM. Riders will be given a time limit to ride through a particular obstacle so that riders behind them are not held back. Riders are judged individually and strictly on how well they negotiated their horse through an obstacle with an emphasis on calmness and safety.

The entry fee is a $25 donation to the EquiCenter. We encourage you to gather pledges from your friends, relatives, and co-workers to benefit the EquiCenter and earn great prizes as well. Don't forget to ask your place of work to match your pledges. All entries will receive a special EquiTrails t-shirt and goodie bucket. Anyone who brings in over $100 in pledges will receive a surprise Trail Trial gift. There will also be prizes for the individuals who raises the most pledges. Lunch and snacks are provided!

Come join us on June 29th for a beautiful trail ride in the rolling Bristol Hills and put your trail experience to work while supporting the EquiCenter. Sign up early as the Trail Trial will be limited to the first hundred entries!