- 2025 NATRC Virtual Mileage Challenge Standings – As we near the halfway point in this
year’s NATRC Virtual Mileage Challenge, take a moment to check out the current national
standings. Our members have logged (as of today 6/26) 1,294 rides totaling 7,891.56 miles!
It is definitely not too late to join this year’s challenge. Participation is not only fun, but with
the instant NATRC standings it is an excellent motivator for getting out there and riding.
At the end of the year, the top three riders from each region, along with the top ten riders
nationally, will be recognized at our 2026 NATRC National Convention
Click here to sign up now and get rewarded just for trail riding! Our national sponsor Top
Trail Horse is the host of our virtual mileage challenge. - 2026 Proposed Rule Changes Zoom Meetings – We recently held three different zoom
meetings for members to ask questions and provide feedback regarding the 2026 proposed
rule changes. Our national board will vote on these proposals during their July meeting.
The rule proposals can be found on our NATRC webpage under Resources, and then
under Rules, and then click on Rule Changes/Proposals. Please be sure to visit with the
national board members from your region between now and early July regarding these
proposals so that they know how they should vote to represent your region. - It’s…. Winning Time! – Tickets are now available for our 2025 NATRC Raffle! Purchase
your tickets from any national board member for your chance to win. The drawing will be
held at the 2026 national convention in Austin, Texas. Need not be present to win
First prize is a Clingman 16” Gaited Western Endurance Saddle donated by our new
national NATRC sponsor Tennessee Saddlery. The second prize is a 1-year premium US
Rider Membership. For third prize, one winner from each of our six regions will receive a
$100 fuel card. - Become a Leisure Division Judge – Have you completed a minimum of 750 miles with five
hundred miles in any combination of Open, CP, and Novice division? Have you been a
horsemanship judge’s secretary or willing to do so at a ride this summer? Those are two of
the requirements for becoming a Leisure Division Judge. The other requirements are to
have a thorough understanding of the Leisure Division Judge’s and Management Manuals,
pass a written exam, and participate in an official training seminar. With the increase in the
number of LeD rides and participants, it would be a tremendous help if we had more Leisure
Division judges to help carry the load. If you are willing to help, please contact the national
office and let them know. - NATRC Logo Gear – Thanks to our enhanced sponsorship with long time NATRC sponsor
Distance Depot, NATRC logo gear is available. They have a wide selection of jackets, vests,
hats, gear bags, polo shirts, and sweatshirts available to customize with our official NATRC
logo. Click here for the current selection of available items, then check back often as more
items are introduced! Thank you, Distance Depot!
July 2025 - Reminder: Regional NATRC Clinics – Every region has been asked to offer two or more
clinics in 2025. Clinics are a lot of fun to put on. Our webpage has a lot of helpful information
and resources that will help your clinics be successful. NATRC supports clinics nationally by
reimbursing two clinics per region $100 for insurance costs. This is determined by the
earliest clinics to apply for their sanction and request the $100 reimbursement. - Reminder: 2026 National NATRC Convention – Next year’s national convention will be
held in Austin, TX, the live music capital of the world, the weekend of February 20-21 with
Region 4 as our host. Be sure to save that date. - Reminder: New Honorary and Appreciation Awards Deadline – Mark your calendars
now for the new deadline for regions to submit this year’s Honorary and Appreciation write-
ups. The new deadline is Wednesday, October 1 st at 10:00 p.m. CST. Write-ups go to Ruth
Mesimer RuthM9496@gmail.com - Follow NATRC on the Web: Be sure to make our NATRC webpage natrc.org the startup
page for your internet browser. When you do, each time you open your browser, your
opening tab will be our NATRC webpage. It is an effortless way to stay current with NATRC! - Stay Current: Keep up to date with NATRC by following us on social media.
a. Follow us on Instagram @natrc_ctr. There are now 454 NATRC pictures on here!
b. Follow us on Facebook with our North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) page. - Subscribe today to our NATRC (North American Trail Ride Conference) YouTube
channel. Be sure to check this resource out. We currently have thirty videos posted here
that are specific to our sport. It is a wealth of extremely helpful information. All previous Let’s
Ride webinars are here as well.
Follow me on Apple Music @j_zeliff
Follow me on Instagram @johnzeliff
And then be sure to follow me to that next NATRC ride!
John Zeliff, President
