By Troy Lynn Norris

• Top Trail is a ride program with something for everyone who enjoys riding.  Do you simply enjoy the journey?
• You’ll love the Lifetime Mileage Program.  Are you a little competitive? We’ve got Challenges!
• Do you enjoy being part of a friendly, encouraging group of like minded equestrians? We are “all that” too!

Affiliate Groups

Top Trail also hosts Affiliate Groups which are side groups with their very own leaderboards, organized by breed (MFTHBA), social group (Hags with Nags, Scoot Boot, Women on the Edge), or association (NATRC). Our premiere affiliate group is MFTHBA. They were the original affiliate group (since 2015) and the 2nd largest — with the the top five horses at the end of the year with the most mileage earning recognition from their association with beautiful award jackets.

In June, many members of both Top Trail and MFTHBA traveled to Big South Fork in beautiful Tennessee for one of their “National Trail Ride” events. This was a treat for me because they were camping right down the street from where I live — allowing me to spend time on the trail and face to face with some of the finest equestrians I know because of Top Trail.

This particular National Trail Ride “Fly the Flag” and “Cindy Fonken Memorial Ride” featured daily organized rides of varied distances and levels of difficulty — which is a great idea with 40+ riders in attendance on any given day. Some rides were out of camp, some rides from trailheads that required trailering. Longtime MFTHBA member and trail enthusiast Cindy Fonken, was remembered during the week and a raffle was held in her honor with proceeds donated to cancer research.

Saturday evening was a treat, with a potluck and presentations by the Big South Fork Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America and Top Trail. Sunday morning Cowboy Church led by Pastor Sam Gerhardt was also well attended.

If only more breed associations were as proactive as MFTHBA is in regard to promoting trail riding among their membership they would likely see their membership registry grow. MFTHBA recognizes and supports their trail riding members with a generous program which includes the National Trail Ride, FoxTrot America, and Top Trail. Doing so truly shines a bright light on their horses, who excel at just about anything they’re asked to do — and that includes zooming down the trail.

Learn more about Top Trail Horse: www.toptrailhorse.com