Trail Program
RMHA Trail Mileage Program Rules and Enrollment Form
NOTICE, the trail year runs from November 1st of the previous year to October 31st of the current year (so annual awards can be calculated in time for presentations to TOP MILEAGE HORSES AND RIDERS at the annual Awards Banquet). Sign up for the trail mileage program online here!
Who is Eligible?
This program is available to all RMHA members and youth. You MUST be a current member to participate in this program. If you are not a member, please complete the Application for Membership and submit it with the other necessary forms. Horses must be registered to participate in this program.
Program Categories and Awards
Members may ride in 3 different categories to accumulate miles. Youth, Certified Horse and Uncertified Horse. Miles are accumulated for each rider that is entered in the program as well as for each horse. Year-end awards are given to Top Mileage winners in the following categories:
Top Mileage Horses: Top Mileage Mare, Top Mileage Gelding, Top Mileage Stallion
Top Mileage Riders: 1st – 5th Place Youth, Rider on Certified Horses, Rider on Uncertified Horses
All accumulated miles earned by horses stay with the horse. If ownership is transferred and the new owner enrolls in the program, that horse’s mileage continue to accumulate. If multiple riders accumulate miles on the same horse during a program year, AND each rider is enrolled in the program then all of those miles are awarded to that horse.
Cost
NEW for 2023. The cost of this program is covered by an RMHA Participating Membership. There is no longer a separate fee for the Trail Mileage Program and rider cards are no longer required. To upgrade your membership to a participating membership, please contact the RMHA office. Click HERE for the enrollment form.
Recording Miles
This program is based on miles spent trail riding. Participation is easy to track using your own choice of a manual or electronic tracking system or app. Whether you ride slow, medium or fast, all are welcome to participate.
Separate mileage must be tracked and maintained for EACH horse.
This program is based on the honor system. Anyone knowingly falsifying information will be automatically disqualified with no refund of the program fee. You will be denied future enrollment in this program. If your RMHA membership is revoked, you will also be disqualified from this program.
Miles are accumulated any time riders ride in a “trail type” situation. This program encourages use of local trails and public lands that allow trail riding. Clarification examples: Mileage can be accumulated along roads and fields, on organized trail rides, local trails and endurance type rides. Competitive distance and endurance riders are eligible, as long as the mileage logged, is on the trails. NOT included are: any type of dressage riding, round pen or arena riding (indoor or outdoor), any kind of clinic, schooling or training, any type of showing. This program is to encourage and reward riders to experience trail riding and use of public land and local parks.
Divisions
If you enroll with an Uncertified horse at the beginning of the trail year and that horse becomes certified during the program year, miles reported at the end of the program year will be recorded in the Certified division.
Riders are allowed to compete in both Certified and Uncertified divisions at the same time if riding multiple horses.
Trail Year and Submitting Your Mileage Log
The trail year runs from NOVEMBER 1, to OCTOBER 31. Trail Mileage Record Form and Trail Mileage Summary Form are to be POSTMARKED by NOVEMBER 30th. Forms can be submitted by mail or email. Miles logged begins with the Enrollment Form being sent to the RMHA office. Awards will be mailed after the annual Awards Banquet held in February of the following year. When submitting your mileage at the end of each program year, make sure to submit a Trail Mileage Record Form for each horse and a Trail Mileage Summary Form. The Summary Forms help expedite ordering your award (if earned) and keeping track of previous years’ mileage. Log sheets must be legible.
Annual Mileage Prizes
All program participants earn annual mileage prizes based on their accumulated rider miles. These prize categories begin at 100 miles and currently continue to 30,000 miles. Prizes are awarded at the following mileage levels: 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10,000, 12,500, 15,000, 17,500, 20,000, 22,500, 25,000, 27,500, 30,000. Prizes are different for each mileage level and increase incrementally in value.
RMHA Trail Sponsorship Program
Did you know there is now a way to support the RMHA trail horses? That’s right – you can help the RMHA and the Trail Committee continue to build this fantastic program by becoming an Official RMHA Trail Committee Sponsor. There are four levels of sponsorship:
- Platinum ($1000)
- Gold ($500)
- Silver ($250)
- Bronze ($100)
So come on Clubs, Breeders, Trainers, and Riders of all sorts – let the Rocky Community know that you support the RMHA members who are racking up hundreds to thousands of miles a year and are promoting the RMH as the Premier Trail Horse. And what do you get if you do? Well first of all, the satisfaction that you are helping preserve and protect our amazing horse. And:
- Once a year thanks in the RMHA Magazine associated with the annual and lifetime trail awards for the riders and horses
- Thanks, during the streaming of the RMHA International (in accordance with any future rules per streaming)
- Plugs on RMHA Facebook Site on the Trail Rider Tuesday and the RMHA Trail Rider Program Site
- Listed on the RMHA Website on the Trail Program Page
So, don’t wait, join those who have already decided to celebrate the versatility of our amazing breed – be an official sponsor of the RMHA Trail Program..
And a special thanks to our 2024 Sponsors
- High Country Rockies – Gagliano Family
- Pacific Crest Rocky Mountain Horse Club
- West Coast Rocky Mountain Horse Club
- John Nowell – Specialized Saddles
- Caerleon Ranch – Janet Peters
Corporate Donors
- Allegany Mountain Saddlery
- H&D Custom Trailers – 4 Star Trailers
