ACTHA Announces the Great American Trail Horse Festival

 The American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) has announced a first of its kind trail horse celebration, honoring the diversity of all of America's trail horses. The Great American Trail Horse Festival will take place November 5–8, 2015 at the Von Holten Ranch in Mora, Missouri. While ACTHA will host the event they are welcoming all trail horses, organizations and disciplines.

An equine event not to be missed, the festival will include 3 competitive trail challenges, 3 arena obstacle challenges, both with exciting ribbons and prizes! Celebrity Trainers will be running free clinics throughout the festival. The first 100 riders to sign up will be chosen as active participants in the clinics while their fellow riders watch on.

Additional activities are planned as well, including certified judge's training, vendors, a barn dance, entertainment, karaoke, cash bingo, camping, great meals and more. Von Holten Ranch, a century farm family since 1906, hosts numerous large-scale equine events and competitions. The ranch boasts miles of scenic trails, electric hookups and covered stalls to rent as well as shower facilities. Complete and update information can be found at www.actha.us/festival.

ACTHA founder, Carrie Scrima states, "Part of ACTHA's mission is to honor the Great American Trail Horse. The Great American Trail Horse Festival is the perfect way to celebrate and promote the value in all breeds of trail horses. This is a celebration of the trail horse and everything related to them. Vendors, associations, riders, clubs, all are welcome to come and "tell their story" while enjoying fun, education and fellowship. Not only can members take part in six different competitions over the course of three days, but they have the opportunity to take part in free clinics from some of the best clinicians in the business. Plus of course ca$h, prizes and fun!"

For more information on the Great American Trail Horse Festival please visit www.actha.us/festival. Sponsor packages are available as well as limited vendor space. For more information on becoming a sponsor or vendor at the Great American Trail Horse Festival please contact Stephanie Rivers at [email protected].

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OUR MISSION: The American Competitive Trail Horse Association's mission, duty and purpose is to address, educate, coordinate, and provide aid and relief to unwanted, unused, abandoned and abused equines on a national level. ACTHA's mission to provide a venue for the trail rider to participate in the sport of competitive trail riding, focuses on educating participants on all aspects of the equine, care, training, as well as the importance of being a good steward of our natural resources (land, water, and the animals entrusted in our care). To create an enjoyable venue to showcase the wonderful attributes of the great American trail horse and granting the recognition they so richly deserve. Leading by example, ACTHA donates 20% of its member rider proceeds from each event to registered 501(c)3 organizations (usually equine charities providing care for horses in need), and provides a vehicle for organizations to raise funds to support their cause. Our mission focuses on creating and enabling humane treatment and employment options for every able bodied equine, reducing the burden on local, state, and federal programs to support the ever growing problem of unwanted, unused, abandoned, and abused equines. To further our mission, ACTHA will create and maintain a registry open to all breeds and a point designation system which will stay with each horse for its lifetime, thereby adding to their value and distinction.