Mark Bolender

Mark and Lee Bolender own and operate Bolender Horse Park in Washington State, which houses the finest Mountain Trail course in the world. They are the founders of the International Mountain Trail Challenge Association (IMTCA) and travel worldwide as clinicians and ambassadors of Mountain Trail. Bolender Horse Park offers riders of all skill levels and disciplines a fun and challenging trail riding adventure. Mark has designed and built Mountain Trail courses in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe—with many more in development. Mark uses his artistic, landscaping, horse training, and construction skills to build these courses (NW Steel Design LLC www.nwsteeldesign.com). Mark is the author of Bolender’s Guide to Mastering Mountain and Extreme Trail Riding. Visit www.bolenderhorsepark.com to learn more.

Mastering the Balance Beam

August 5, 2020August 1, 2017 by Mark Bolender

An Exercise in Focus by Mark Bolender Trail challenge and mountain trail are based on real situations found riding on the trail. Certain obstacles simulate these working conditions. One important obstacle is the balance beam. It simulates some of the difficult log and bridge crossings required to cross creeks …

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Maintaining Speed Over Double Mini Mounds and Hills

August 5, 2020June 1, 2017 by Mark Bolender

Patience and Time Leads to Success by Mark Bolender In any equine discipline, a consistent cadence with forward motion is a desired skill. This skill does not come easily but is worth the work that goes into it. In the discipline of Mountain Trail this is a skill that …

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Master Your Mountain Trail Pattern

August 5, 2020April 1, 2017 by Mark Bolender

Proper Preparation Necessary for Success by Mark Bolender The most important thing a judge should see when you run a Mountain Trail pattern is a partnership between horse and rider. Show a horse that has been properly schooled and trained. Memorizing a pattern will feel overwhelming at first, but …

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Taking Mountain Trail to the World Equestrian Games

August 5, 2020February 1, 2017 by Mark Bolender

Worldwide Interest is Growing by Mark Bolender Riding through rugged mountain trails is something people do every day across the world. You never know what kind of obstacles you and your horse might encounter on the trail; you may have to cross anything from fallen tree limbs to deep …

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Mountain Trail – More About This Exciting New Discipline

August 5, 2020December 1, 2016 by Mark Bolender

Fun for Participants and Spectators by Mark Bolender It’s exciting to see mountain trail growing around the world. What a year it has been! We now have seven nations involved and four of those countries are holding certified IMTCA (International Mountain Trail Challenge Association) challenges/shows. We had a number …

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Mountain Trail – an Exciting New Discipline

August 5, 2020October 1, 2016 by Mark Bolender

Fun for Participants and Spectators by Mark Bolender The new discipline of Mountain Trail is in exciting times. For the past six years Mountain Trail courses have been built across the globe. An association known as International Mountain Trail Challenge (IMTCA) has been established along with affiliates in Canada, Germany, …

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Teeter-Totter Demons

August 5, 2020August 1, 2016 by Mark Bolender

Helping the Fearful Horse by Mark Bolender Mastering the teeter-totter is, for the most part, a simple task for the horse and will only take a few minutes. However, if it has been improperly taught it can be difficult to correct. I have had three very tough horses to …

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Mastering the Ladder

August 5, 2020June 1, 2016 by Mark Bolender

Careful Training Leads to a Bold, Confident Horse by Mark Bolender Riding a horse through rugged mountain trails is something many people do on a daily basis, especially in the western United States. It’s anybody’s guess what sort of obstacles you and your horse might encounter on these trails, …

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Maintaining Mountain Trail Obstacles

August 5, 2020April 1, 2016 by Mark Bolender

Keep Your Obstacles Safe with Spring Maintenance by Mark Bolender Spring is here and the mountain trail obstacles are being put to use again. Now is the time to check all the obstacles for safety and needed repairs. When obstacles are used on a daily basis one does not …

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Mountain Trail: The Italian Connection

August 5, 2020February 1, 2016 by Mark Bolender

The Verona Horse Expo and Explosive Growth of the Sport in Italy by Mark Bolender In 2013 we had our first guest from Italy travel to Bolender Horse Park to evaluate and see firsthand what mountain trail was all about. They spent their time immersed in the sport, attending …

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Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

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