RCBH
WALK/TROT Trail Ride
Established 2022
YOU’RE INVITED:
We would love to have you on the RCBH Walk/Trot trail ride for members and their guests.
OUR GOAL:
Safety and Fun!!
To provide an opportunity for members and horses to trail ride in a group.
Group riding at a walk/trot increases both the horses and their rider’s confidence riding outside of an arena, offers club members a chance to meet other riders, and provides an un-interrupted hour to immerse yourself in the beautiful nature we are so privileged to ride through.
WHEN & WHERE:
Emails sent weekly to all members. Be sure the RCBH has your current email.
Check the calendar on the website for times, locations and cancellations. Trails>walk/trot trail ride.
GUIDELINES:
• We will be transitioning between walking and trotting gaits throughout the ride. Please be respectful of that for everyone’s safety. The Trail Leader will put their left hand up at 90 degrees to signal that they are going back to a walk. The Trail Leader will also announce “we are trotting” when they decide to move from a walk to a trot. Repeat it for the rider behind you if the group is large enough that it is difficult to hear the Trail Leader.
• Trail ride lasts 45 minutes and may be followed by an RCBH Walk Only Ride if you also choose to do this with your horse as a cool down.
• Ride departs promptly at start time.
• Pre-ride meeting starts 10 minutes before departure time—please allow time to attend.
• To set up your horse for success, please be mounted 15 minutes before the ride. This allows your horse an opportunity to settle, get calm and prepare for the ride ahead.
• If you find yourself late, please don’t try to catch up with the group, we ride out every week and hope to see you the next week. No cantering or trotting to catch up is allowed.
• A Trail Leader is designated for every ride. Please do not pass the Trail Leader.
• For safety reasons, it is prudent to leave two horse lengths between you and the horse ahead of you due to the fact that we will be stopping and starting at trotting speed.
• If you feel the need to canter … Don’t.
• Notify the Trail Leader of issues as they occur using “Hold Up” technique. The rider will say “Hold Up” to the rider in front of them. The rider in front of them will say “Hold Up” to the rider in front of them and so on, until it reaches the Trail Leader.
• If a gap larger than 3 horse lengths develops between riders during the ride for any reason, use the “Hold Up” technique to notify the Trail Leader. Please do not canter your horse to catch up.
• If you or your horse need to stop during a ride (equipment malfunction, upset horse, potty break, etc.) be sure to use the “Hold Up” technique to notify the Trail Leader so we can wait.
• If you need to leave the ride before its conclusion, it must be at a walk until you are out of sight of the group and after notifying the Trail Leader of your need to leave the ride before its conclusion.
• Please have Forest Preserves of Cook County tags and RCBH tags with you or attached to your saddle.
REMEMBER — THIS RIDE IS ALL ABOUT HAVING FUN AND KEEPING SAFE ON YOUR HORSE—THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
Respectfully Yours,
Riding Club of Barrington Hills Board of Directors