Randy Speegle No Bull Horsemanship will be hosting an Extreme Trail Challenge July 21, 2012, with all proceeds going to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs, Benton, Tennessee.  The challenge will be held at the Benton Horse Arena, 1850 Welcome Valley Road, Benton, Tennessee 37307.  

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club in Benton is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Club provides diversified activities that meet the interests of all young people. Core programs encourage activities with adults, peers, and family members that enable kids to enhance self-esteem and fulfill their potential. Based on physical, emotional, cultural, social needs and interests of boys and girls, and recognizing developmental principals, the Club offers diversified program activities in five core areas: character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports/fitness/recreation.

Speegle is very excited about helping the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton.  “We need to do all we can to help our kids.  I encourage all businesses to get involved with us to put on this event.”

Extreme trail challenges are becoming more and more popular.  It is a new type of competition that has something for riders and spectators.  There are at least three different divisions riders can participate in:  Youth – 17 & under, Non-Pro - anyone who has not received money to train or ride a horse; and Open -  anyone who has received money to train or ride a horse and anyone else who would like to participate in this class including Youth and Non-Pro.  The Open class has a few more challenging obstacles than does the Youth or Non-Pro.  

The object of the extreme trail challenge is to test the rider’s horsemanship skills.  This is done by introducing the horse to an obstacle such as a teeter totter, opening a gate, and many others, and having the horse complete the obstacle while being quiet and under direction of the rider.  If a horse has not been trained well, it can often be very difficult to execute the obstacle.  Many riders find out their horse is not as broke as they originally thought.