The Mt. Diablo NATRC Ride is Coming Up!
by Kay Lieberknecht
You might know that "Diablo" means "devil", but there is no diabolical aspect to this competitive trail ride planned for May 5, 2012. Hosted by the Concord-Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association, this NATRC event is not a race, and far from being cutthroat competition, the folks are friendly and generous, and the horses are well-behaved. Yes, the mountain is . . . umm . . . mountainous, but in the Spring it is dressed in the most beautiful flowers and bushes and trees, with plenty of water, and it's not hot.
The very first North American Trail Ride Conference ride anywhere was on this mountain in 1961. In this sport horse and rider teams demonstrate their partnership skills over 20 to 35 miles, with a veterinarian judge monitoring the horses' condition, soundness and responsiveness at various points, while a horsemanship judge evaluates the riders' skills, including how they care for their horses. No dressing up is required, and horses can go barefoot, in boots or in shoes, bitless or treeless (a saddle is required, and breastplates and cruppers can help). At the end of the ride there are awards for six places in three divisions, and every competitor receives written feedback on their own and their horses' accomplishments. One Novice rider exclaimed last year, "What a deal! I got to camp in this nice arena, then my horse and I walked and trotted 20 miles of beautiful trail, plus I got my horse vetted and I have this riding lesson on paper!" There's nothing like the CMDTRA Clubhouse for ride briefing, meals and awards (and even showers!), and their cooks make the best food, even a vegetarian option.
The hikers and bikers who share the trails at Mt. Diablo are pretty consistently kind and not overly plentiful. Ride management does a thorough job, and during the Friday night briefing they set everyone up for a great experience. The timing, trail markings and the map are always getting better, and safety is the highest priority for all, with "drag" riders following along on steady horses carrying emergency supplies.
Knowing that people across this country ride in rain, snow, wind and humidity, let's get out there no matter what, and get ourselves and our horses in shape to ride Mt. Diablo; it takes about two months of 15 miles a week, some hills included, to be ready. Check out www.natrc.org, or contact ride manager, mtnoaks@earthlink.net, (925) 672-3733.