About The Venue

Beautiful Shaker Village boasts 3,000 acres to discover by horseback.  Grab your pony, mule, donkey, horse, draft, dragon, or unicorn for a day of fun.  Enjoy obstacles in-hand, mounted, or both.   

The Preserve at Shaker Village is a historical landmark and a spot you will surely want to check off on your bucket list.  Ride the backcountry through some of Kentucky's finest forests, fields, and creek crossings. The Preserve’s trail system includes 29 miles of trails for horseback riding.  

You can print a trail map by clicking here: http://shakervillageky.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Shaker-Village-Trail-Map.pdf  

If you require overnight boarding or a stall, all reservations must be made with Shaker Village prior to this event.

The Stable offers 20 stalls, bedding, two single-horse paddocks, one two-horse paddock, and trailer parking. Boarding reservations are required—call 859.734.5411.
Nightly Stall Fee: $30 per horse   
Nightly Paddock Fee: $10 per horse

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a National Historic Landmark in Kentucky.  The nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization relies on revenue generated by visiting guests and funding from public sources, private donations, and endowment income.  Please visit this link to learn more about this remarkable destination.  https://shakervillageky.org/ 

In addition to your paid ETS registration...PLEASE note that Shaker Village collects a $10 day cash fee for every equine that enters through their gate.  There will be an attendant at the entrance collecting this fee when you arrive.  

Event Details

Join us for a beautiful spring day while forging your relationship with your equine and meeting new friends and taking in the beauty of new spring buds and returning songbirds.  Our obstacles are always a combination of things to walk over, under, and through; items to handle, carry, and pull; things that move, shine, and make sounds.  We cannot reveal the course until the day of the event but we know you will not be disappointed.  

Raising awareness about equine issues and raising funds for equine causes is the major reason that we host events in the Central Kentucky area.  It is our pleasure to dedicate this event to retired thoroughbred racehorses.  The Asbury University Hunter Jumper Team will be retraining retired thoroughbreds to showcase and compete with at the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover.  It is our honor to help these students and horses by donating proceeds to them from this event.  If you would like more information about the Thoroughbred Makeover, follow this link. https://www.tbmakeover.org/      

We will be offering two competitions that will be happening concurrently--an in-hand course and a 6-mile ridden trail challenge.  Try both or just one.    

In-Hand Obstacle Course

The in-hand course will be situated in a grassy pasture area that will consist of 8-10 obstacles all performed in-hand with a halter and rope.  A 12' to 15' rope is recommended.  You may use your leather, rope, or nylon halter.  Horseshoes or boots are not necessary on the grassy surface, please use your discretion.  Competitors are required to wear an enclosed shoe, long pants, and a sleeved shirt.  Helmets are recommended for adults but are required for all competitors age 7 - 17.  If you are competing in both events, you are required to complete the in-hand event first before you head out on the trail.  

6-Mile Trail Challenge

The ridden trail challenge is open to competitors and recreational riders.  What exactly is a recreational rider anyway??  GREAT QUESTION!  If you are interested in trial obstacles but don't know where to start, unsure about how the competition is conducted, feel you or your equine are not quite ready to compete, or just want to tag along with a friend, then this is for you!!  Recreational riders will ride out with a small group and stay with that group during the trail competition.  You will get to observe the competitors and hear the judges but you will not be allowed on the obstacles.  So if you have ever been interested in trial obstacles, immersing yourself in a group during the competition from the back of your equine is a perfect spot!  Come give it a try.  

For competitors, you will be sent out onto the trail in groups of 5-6 riders.  You will travel through Shaker Village staying on the equine trails.  At predesignated places along the trail you will encounter no less than six obstacles and the judges.  Each group will stop at each obstacle location and wait until everyone is finished competing before moving on down the trail. 

Our obstacle competitions are fun and we welcome all riders regardless of skill or discipline.  This is a great activity for the whole family.  

Why try obstacles?  Here are a few great reasons:

• Obstacles can be used for every discipline and every equine
• Obstacles are fun
• Obstacles engage the equine's brain
• Obstacles can help build a trusting relationship with your equine
• Obstacles help desensitize your equine 
• Obstacles improve agility 
• Obstacles help reinforce cues from the handler
• Obstacles improve your communication skills with your equine
• Obstacles can aid equine to become responsible with foot placement
• Obstacles provide excellent opportunities to work on gait transitions
• Obstacles improve equitation
• Obstacles refine your horsemanship skills

Give it a try.  Learn something new.  Discover ideas to work on at home.  

***Rain Date - Sunday, April 18, 2021 

REMINDER - All Equine Trail Sports participants age 7 - 17 years old are required to wear a safety helmet when mounted or taking part in in-hand activities with equine. 

The Terrain

The obstacle area will be an open grass and dirt area that is relatively flat.  Although most barefoot equine will likely have no trouble with the in-hand obstacle course terrain, all handlers should determine whether shoes or boots are best for their equine. If you plan on riding the trails, be prepared for typical trail terrain such as some rock, mud, water, and unlevel pathways.  Some trails may cross over blacktop roads.    

Meals

We will be offering a brown bag type lunch. You may bring your own lunch as well.  

Awards

Beautiful ribbons 1st-6th place in three separate levels of competition; Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced,

1st-3rd place Junior (age 13-17), 1st-3rd place Youngin' (age 7-12), and 1st place Newcomer ribbons will be awarded after Judges Shout Outs. 

Door prize drawings after Judge's Shout Outs, must be present to win.  Please plan to stay for the entire event.  Ribbons will not be mailed.   

Additional Fees

You may register online up to 7:00 pm on April 15th to receive the Early Bird Pricing.  You can still register onsite during the event but regular pricing will apply.  

In addition to your paid ETS registration...PLEASE note that Shaker Village collects a $10 day cash fee for every equine that enters through their gate.  There will be an attendant at the entrance collecting this fee when you arrive.  

Additional Opportunities

If you would like to learn more about Equine Trail Sports please stop by one of my events.  I am happy to show you around.  

Volunteers are always needed and well appreciated :)  If you are interested in working at the registration table, being a ring or trail steward, setting up or tearing down obstacles, learning to judge an event, scribing, scorekeeping, hospitality, or hosting your own event please send me a message through email or Messenger.  Email cpepplitsch@yahoo.com or find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cpepplitsch/