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 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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Water Monsters

August 5, 2020August 1, 2012 by Mark Bolender

Help Your Horse (Safely) Confront His Fear of Water by Mark Bolender Nearly every equestrian has experienced a horse with water issues. Often I’m told by owners that no matter what they try their horse will refuse to enter water, or else it will leap the smallest stream or …

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Mastering the Balance Beam

August 5, 2020June 1, 2012 by Mark Bolender

Why Your Trail Horse Needs this Skill by Mark Bolender The exciting sports of Mountain Trail and Trail Challenges have their basis in real-life situations found on the trail or working on the ranch. Certain obstacles simulate these situations and can be used to train for these sports. One …

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Mastering Log Obstacles

August 5, 2020April 1, 2012 by Mark Bolender

Tips for Teaching this Mountain Trail Horse Skill by Mark Bolender Whether out on a trail or in a show, watching an accomplished Mountain Trail horse moving through a difficult log obstacle makes it look easy. The horse navigates the logs while going forward boldly and confidently, and always …

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Selecting a Trail Horse

August 5, 2020February 1, 2012 by Mark Bolender

Finding—and Training—Your Best Trail Horse by Mark Bolender Selecting a horse for trail riding is not an easy process because several factors must be carefully considered. Ultimately, it’s a decision about which horse is right for a particular rider and that’s just the beginning in creating the “perfect” trail …

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Checkers Takes the Challenge

August 5, 2020December 1, 2011 by Mark Bolender

The Joy of Demonstrating at the AQHA Show by Mark Bolender I love the AQHA shows. In July of 2011 I had the privilege of attending the Region 5 event in Langley, British Columbia. I was a demonstrator, clinician, and judge for the sport of Mountain Trail and Trail …

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“Just Trust Me”

August 5, 2020October 1, 2011 by Mark Bolender

The keys To Building Trust in Your Trail Horse by Mark Bolender I frequently hear riders say, “I want my horse to trust me more,” yet the horse is pushy when being handled on the ground and will not navigate the difficult obstacles in a show or on a …

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When the Going Gets Rocky

August 5, 2020August 1, 2011 by Mark Bolender

Mastering Extreme Rock and Log Step Obstacles by Mark Bolender As with most technical challenges, proper training makes the impossible possible. My latest book, Extreme Mountain Trail Course by Mark Bolender is built on the Rush Spring Ranch in Missouri. It is visually beautiful and challenges the best of …

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Bring Back the Fun!

August 5, 2020June 1, 2011 by Mark Bolender

How To Keep Riding Challenging and Still Have Fun by Mark Bolender “Am I doing this right?” is a phrase I hear often from students. It’s very natural (and important) to learn proper riding technique, but many people get bogged down by details and they forget the reason they …

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Learn to Listen

August 5, 2020February 1, 2011 by Mark Bolender

Communication Is A Key To Unlock Success by Mark Bolender Learning to listen is anything but easy. It is a science and a gift from God. With effort, we can all learn to be good listeners. If one learns to listen to his horse, the response given by the …

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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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