What is the Trail Riding Project?

The purpose of the Trail Riding Project is to encourage youth to be closer to nature and wildlife while enjoying their equine partner, experiencing camaraderie, and being part of a club. Trail Riding is fun and presents new challenges for the riders and their mounts. It is a way to cross train your show horses, stimulate their brain, and develop better proprioception.

To participate in the 4-H Horse Program Trail Riding Project, youth should log their hours and distance ridden. There are several mobile apps available to track rides found in the project guidelines. All recorded riding must be completed on trails (including competitive trail rides), endurance rides, or other organized group rides (including hunts and hunter paces). Arena riding, riding in a pasture, riding in parades, drill team practice, lesson hours, and show hours, although important and excellent, are not eligible to be recorded as “trail riding hours”. Record time in half an hour increments, rounding down to the nearest half hour

The Trail Riding Project begins January 1st and ends December 31st. Hour log sheets are due back to the state 4-H Horse Program office by January 15th for the prior year. Please mail log sheets to:

4-H Horse Program
615 W.P. Garrigus Bldg.
Lexington, KY 40546-0215

Trail Riding Project Guidelines

Hour Log Sheet