SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100

North American Trail Ride Conference Annual Convention Underway

The North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) is the national governing body of competitive trail events in the United States. This year, members are meeting in Reno, Nevada for the organization’s national convention.



Convention participants will attend several educational presentations. Topics include:

  • Recent Advances in Equine Nutrition
  • A New Look at Colic
  • Developing & Sustaining Relationships with Land Managers
  • Trails—Connecting People to the Land
  • Planning Successful Grassroots Trail Efforts
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Tying-Up in Horses
  • American Endurance Ride Conference’s Research Summit Update

Friday evening’s concert and dance is a social highlight of the annual convention, and the daily trade show gives attendees a chance to shop for equine and trail riding products during downtime. Saturday evening’s program includes the NATRC’s national awards banquet.

This year’s banquet will be bittersweet for many NATRC members due to the recent loss of a beloved equine member of the competitive trail community. Elmer Bandit, a half-Arabian and successful competitive trail horse from Missouri, was euthanized last week at age 38. Elmer competed with his lifelong owner, Mary Anna Wood, for 34 years. The impressive competitor logged a record-breaking 20,780 lifetime miles, including the two rides he completed last season at age 37. His owner and veterinarian made the decision to euthanize him when they were unable to get him to his feet after several hours of struggling in below-freezing temperatures. Elmer’s longevity as a competitive athlete is regarded as a testament to good genetics, a devoted owner, and a lifetime of dedicated training and veterinary care. He will be honored at the NATRC banquet this weekend.

To learn more about competitive trail riding and the NATRC, visit www.natrc.org

Horse Illustrated

Horse Illustrated is the magazine for people who are passionate about horses. Each issue offers advice on horse health and care, plus user-friendly training tips for both English and western riders and engaging lifestyle features for horse lovers.

View Comments

Recent Posts

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Morena

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

23 hours ago

Breed Portrait: The American Saddlebred

The American Saddlebred has an unmistakable presence wherever the breed goes, and these horses can be found just about everywhere…

2 days ago

Keep Loping: Prevent Breaking Gait at the Lope

It’s no fun to ride a horse that needs to be pushed constantly to stay in a lope. It feels…

3 days ago

Equine Affaire Event Preview

Knowledge is power, and nowhere is that more true than in the equine industry. Empower yourself this spring to become a more…

4 days ago

What is the Cause of Your Horse’s Behavior?

If asked what type of personality your horse has, you might say he’s an alpha, stubborn, people-pleasing, nervous, difficult, easy-going,…

7 days ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Divine Indy

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

1 week ago