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.

Jumping on the Trail

August 5, 2020April 1, 2014 by Mark Bolender

Begin on the Ground to Safely Jump from the Saddle by Mark Bolender Recently, while riding near Mount St. Helens in WA State, the trail came up to a washout. In order to continue on without a lengthy back track, I needed to get my horse to jump up …

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Breaking Ice on the Trail

August 5, 2020February 1, 2014 by Mark Bolender

Prepare Your Horse to Cross Frozen Puddles by Mark Bolender When trail riding in the winter, early spring, and/or late fall, you can expect to find frozen puddles. The crackling sound of breaking ice often catches horses by surprise, putting the rider at risk of being dismounted when it …

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The Squirting Water Box

August 5, 2020December 1, 2013 by Mark Bolender

How to Master a Challenging Obstacle by Mark Bolender An extreme trail obstacle that most horses hate is the squirting water box. This is a standard water box, but floating on top of the water is a 4’ x 8’ piece of plywood that has holes drilled into it. …

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November 2013 Cover Story – Mission Impossible?

August 5, 2020November 1, 2013 by Mark Bolender

Training an OTTB for the Sport of Mountain Trail by Mark Bolender Off the Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) are retired race horses that have been given a new purpose in life. Recently, I had the good fortune to train one named Dakota for mountain trail riding. As it turns out, …

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The 180 Degree Turn on a Teeter-Totter

August 5, 2020October 1, 2013 by Mark Bolender

Create a Magnificent Performance with These Specific Exercises by Mark Bolender While judging a trail challenge for the AQHA at the Region 1 show, I watched a horse and rider walk onto a teeter-totter, turn 180 degrees, then back off in one smooth, seamless motion. It was magnificent to …

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Mastering the Water Box

August 5, 2020August 1, 2013 by Mark Bolender

How to Successfully Navigate a Troubling Obstacle by Mark Bolender I once overheard a spectator sitting next to the water box obstacle at a Bolender Mountain Trail Challenge mutter, “The evil water box wins again!” The horse was doing great, but then refused to step into the water box. …

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Tack for Showing at Mountain Trail and AQHA Trail Challenge

August 5, 2020June 1, 2013 by Mark Bolender

Dress for Success on Show Day by Mark Bolender The new discipline of mountain trail displays what is to be the ideal mountain trail horse. This horse should show good forward movement which is confident, bold, and safe. The horse also should give the impression that it can cover …

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Ready for Your First Mountain Trail Show?

August 5, 2020April 1, 2013 by Mark Bolender

Eight Helpful Tips to Ensure Success by Mark Bolender No matter how hard you prepare for a show, a little nervousness is normal. And that’s if things are going well. If not, like when your horse becomes unruly, the anxiety can escalate and cause the entire situation to go …

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Trail Savvy: Mastering the Suspension Bridge

May 11, 2023December 1, 2012 by Mark Bolender

Photo Courtesy of Lee Sampson. Being proficient at negotiating a suspension bridge – or merely a bridge that’s swinging – with your horse is one of the biggest challenges of the mountain trail rider. Yet, mastering this obstacle is relatively easy if the problem is broken down into simple, small steps.

Build a Confident Horse with this Challenging Obstacle The first step is to make sure that you have your Bolender Bubble in place. This means that your horse understands that it can’t invade your personal space under any circumstance. If this fundamental principle is not firmly established, then back up …

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Mastering the Texas Two-Step

August 5, 2020October 1, 2012 by Mark Bolender

Teach Your Horse Speed Control with this Common Obstacle by Mark Bolender There are a number of important tools we can use to train a horse for Mountain Trail and Extreme Trail competition. Those same tools can also be used to create a great partnership between you and your …

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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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