Open Trail started as a small project in 2012 where I could record and save the trails I ride in the local area... then a few friends had seen what I had and said "We need that!" - So I decided to build the brand...
After doing some research I discovered that there was no method for recording “Trail Activity” that was focused on the equine industry, and that the systems that were in place to monitor our trail system were based on a Park Ranger or a volunteer with a clipboard. After talking with a number of Trail Associations it became apparent that the government system of recording activities was flawed and a new system was needed to record “honestly” the trail activities throughout our Local/State/Federal parks.
The history of horseback riding is integral to our history. Open Trail's goal is to provide the largest repository of horse trails in the U.S.—and arm organizations that maintain and advocate for horse trails with essential data to fight for our National Treasures... The Open Trail.
Open Trail is an interactive web site that encourages trail riders to contribute maps of their favorite riding trails and most importantly, a way to share them with other riders. Each map that is uploaded is searchable by City, County, and State and can be downloaded to a GPS device. Members can upload photos for individual trails as well as comment on them.
Open Trail features trails throughout the U.S. that are submitted by people who have a passion for riding trail. Contributors come from various walks of life and from a range of disciplines from pleasure to endurance riders. Maps can be searched and viewed by anyone. Each map features a picture of the trail along with a description and other information relevant to the trail. There is also an interactive map with weather that can be viewed.
Early in the development of Open Trail the question came up on how to get people to participate. While researching this I kept thinking of the AQHA ride program and heard from several people that it was flawed because it was based on an honor system by which you're sending in the number of hours you spent in the saddle. From here it was easy to figure out that a ride program can be developed that has a permanent record based on the data the riders were contributing to the site.
After a few discussions, “Top Trail Horse” was launched in June of 2014. Top Trail Horse hosts monthly challenges, with awards to given to the top rider and horses at the conclusion of each period. We were able to get sponsors for 2014 and have secured all the sponsors for 2015. The program has been a huge success with our members as well as sponsors.
With the success of Top Trail Horse, we decided to launch “Top Trail Rider” in 2015. Top Trail Rider hosts quarterly challenges, with awards given to the top rider at the conclusion of each period. We were fortunate to secure SpecTACKular as the 2015 Top Trail Rider sponsor and have seen an increase of participation since its launch.
The Top Trail program offers additional features that members can take advantage of. Open Trail members can keep a log of their trails, set goals, and chart their progress. These features are available for both the horse and rider (with paid subscription).
Use any GPS device or smartphone app capable of exporting .GPX files.
Ride any trail (private or public).
No individual ride or competition entry fees are charged.
Compete with riders all over the US for great sponsored awards. Challenges are virtual.
Accumulate trail mileage over the lifetime of the account for horse and rider.
Upload and share your trail photos.
Build your own network (Posse) with other Top Trail and Open Trail members.
Document your trail horse's history.
Share your trails on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Search for trails all over the United States.
Contribute your trail usage to the largest repository of equestrian trails online.
We are in the process of creating additional programs encouraging the use of Open Trail and moving closer to a system that will capture trail data that can be used in the future to paint a better picture of trail activities throughout North America. Here are just some of the projects we have planned for 2015:
The Rider's Exchange will be a forum for members to discuss relevant topics such as 'Best Place to Ride?' or 'How to tie a horse when camping?'. The exchange will also encourage our members to share information about using the Open Trail website, GPS use and technical assistance, campgrounds, share trail photos, etc.
Ride a Trail – Save a Trail
Open Trail along with its sponsors will hold a competition for all trail riders that use GPS to record their trails while riding. Trails will be then submitted to Open Trail (uploaded) under the rider's account for other riders to vote on. The rider with the most popular trail will win the competition and then be awarded a prize from the sponsor(s).
Competition is Seasonal (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter).
Winners will be regional (8 total).
Winners are based on the most popular trail (Likes and Votes) during the season.
Trails must be ridden out of a Horse Camp (Horse Camps must be within or near a State or National park).
The trail must start within a 1/4 mile of a established trail head.
The trail must be at least 5 miles.
Open Trail TV highlights horse trail destinations throughout North America and chronicles the Old West and how the horse trail was used as the highway of progress in building this nation. The purpose is to provide an enhanced understanding of the history of our nation and how it was built on the back of the horse.
Open Trail will conduct informal, often impromptu interviews with the locals highlighting small towns, landmarks, events, or places of historical interest throughout North America and provide historical references to the Old West. Interviews will mostly be conducted from horseback on some of the best trails North America has to offer.
In addition to historical interests Open Trail will feature people dedicated to the preservation of horse trails throughout the U.S.
The American Trail Horse Association (ATHA)
We are currently exploring the idea of an association that will be the authority for all the record keeping of trail miles accumulated through our Top Trail Program. The Association will be open to all breeds and disciplines.
J.R. has been riding horses for most of his life and has a passion for riding trails with his horse Satara. He founded The Open Trail Project to provide a means to record horse trail maps across North America and help preserve our national heritage, the "Open Trail". When talking to people about his passion for riding trails, JR often quotes Buffalo Bill, “I could never resist the call to the open trail.”
Troy Lynn Norris - Managing Partner
Lifelong horse lover and long time trail rider, in 2002 TL began competitive trail and distance riding. Over time she developed an appreciation of the many miles her horse takes her over the trails while conditioning, in competition, and even for simple enjoyment. Top Trail is the beginning of her vision to see trail horses get the recognition they deserve for their skills and work on trails.
