What is mountain trail?

You dream of taking up a sport you're passionate about, specifically within the world of riding. So your instructor, given your profile and the way you're progressing, has recommended mountain trail. But you don't know enough about it yet to get started. Here's what you need to satisfy your curiosity.

The skills required

To do mountain trail, the first requirement is a close bond with your horse. This is an activity that takes place specifically in the mountains and sometimes involves taking risks. To manage that, horse and rider must be in tune with one another and at ease. Among other things, they must be properly kitted out for the occasion. You'll find what you need at La Sellerie Française. That way, in comfort and safety, as soon as the situation calls for a little more effort, it comes instinctively to both of them.

The second requirement is boldness, or courage, on the part of both horse and rider. In practice, this activity means tackling terrain that can be very rough indeed. A confident horse is the only horse that will go far or make the jumps that are called for. For that, he needs to be the perfect hacking horse for the perfect rider.

The third quality to consider in mountain trail is showcasing the performance of horse and rider. The horse needs to be physically fit to a high standard in order to travel through the mountains and jump obstacles without hesitation.

The rules of mountain trail

Born in 2001, this sport has been refined over the years, spreading from its country of origin, the United States, to the rest of the world. The first requirement concerns the rider's turnout and the horse's tack. Each pair must present themselves according to the category they belong to, namely classic, western or Camargue.

Mountain trail requires the rider and horse to negotiate every obstacle on the course, ideally with a clear round and a time within the limits. Whatever difficulty they meet, it must never stop horse and rider on the course.

Beyond that, all the rules of the exercise are set out in the official rulebook, the federal regulations made available to all professional competitors. The general idea is to make the most of every run, every section, in order to progress and reach the highest level without relying too heavily on the aids.

The benefits of mountain trail

Mountain trail benefits every rider and horse for the simple reason that it strengthens their partnership and their competitiveness. The rider learns to trust what his horse can do while helping him to do it better. The horse becomes more confident in his rider's ability to bring him safely through and to give him the right instructions.

Mountain trail is also the perfect exercise for any rider looking for a new experience and keen to test their riding level on a demanding course.