STRHA

Shenandoah Trail Riding

and Horseman’s Association

About the

Shenandoah Trail Riding and

Horseman’s Association

The Shenandoah Valley has some of the most beautiful scenery and riding trails anywhere in the United States.

In 1988, a group of Shenandoah County horse owners decided to form a riding club to take advantage of these lovely trails.

The club was an immediate success, and during the past fifteen years it has sponsored over 350 trail rides in the area. Many of the trails are in the George Washington National Forest, but a number of private landowners allow us to ride on their property as well.

We try to vary the length, difficulty, and terrain of our trail rides to suit the varied interests and abilities of our members.

Our rides have included:

- Childrens/Novice Rides of short duration on easy trails. The 4-H is often invited to join us on these rides.

- Longer rides on rocky mountain terrain that are suitable

only for experienced riders and sure-footed horses. The

scenery is well worth the difficulty of these rides.

- Road rides, especially suited for gaited horses.

- Overnight rides

- Rides featuring picnics, cookouts, covered dish dinners, etc.

We have sponsored rides as short as two hours and as long as eight hours. The average number of riders on any given ride is approximately fifteen, but we have also had rides with fifty riders.

Other activities that the club has been involved in (past and present) include:

- Parades

- Working with the U.S. Forest Service to build or improve trails and to upgrade access to existing trails.

- An annual competitive trail ride, the Shenandoah 25, which was sanctioned by ECTRA, a national organization

- Club sponsored horse shows

- Trips to events of interest to our members such as horse shows and races (ie. Reserved trackside seating at Shenandoah Races).

- Working with local and state legislators on any legislation that directly affects trail riding or other horse-related activities in the state.

- Spring and Fall Judged Trail Rides

- Assist other horse-related non-profit organizations with donations

- Sponsor an annual St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital benefit ride

We have approximately 60 families in the club, many from outside the Shenandoah County area. New members are always welcome.

Family membership for one year costs $15.00. A single membership costs $10.00.

If you would like to join, please write to: Shenandoah Trail Riders and Horseman’s Association, P.O. Box 749, Woodstock, VA 22664. Each member receives a quarterly newsletter which lists trail rides and other club activities or events.