Too Much Trail Too Soon?

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338 – September/October, 2024

By Megan Sacia Ulrich

When this year’s A Sudden Impulse NSBA Show’s Three-Year-Old Trail pattern was revealed, it was so complex, social media blew up as trainers, owners, and others voiced their concern over the pressure such a difficult pattern puts on young horses. The backlash was so great, the pattern was modified. Still, some exhibitors pulled their three-year-olds from the class. They just weren’t ready–physically or mentally–in April of their three-year-old year for the challenges the pattern presented.

One of the class’s most familiar faces is Nick Mayabb, who often shows several horses in Three-Year-Old Trail. After initially seeing the pattern, he shared it on Facebook, anticipating a few of his peers would comment, laugh, and move on. But instead, “the horse world kind of went nuts,” he recalls. “I never meant for it to have a negative backlash toward the course designer, show management, or facility.” Once the dust settled though, what it did do was open up the doors for a positive conversation about the class, its purpose, what it has done for the pleasure horse industry, and how to thoughtfully prepare a young horse for success in Trail and beyond.

Here, some of the proponents of this class share their perspectives and ideas about how to ensure it remains a healthy event for the horses–and the shows where they compete.

The Root of the Controversy: What’s Best for the Horse?

Click here to read the complete article
338 – September/October, 2024