Troy Norris developed this program for all horse trail riders riding at different levels as it provides a way to track trail mileage for horses and riders. As more people now have access to GPS, Top Trail’s role has evolved to provide ways to upload GPS application data to the site for personal and competition tracking.
Moving here in 2017, Troy Norris brought Top Trail with her. The site’s online membership is now international in scope but its influence is so strong, people include Top Trail data to make life decisions regarding lifestyle choices; among which Jamestown proves a strong contender. It naturally provides many purchasing opportunities on desirable trail systems. The program flourishes in this area, a trail riding haven. One Top trail member relocated to Jamestown just to focus on her riding. Although Top Trail provides a way to count mileage for individual horses and riders, it fuels a bit of competitive spirit for those reaching for top mileage recognition.
Mrs. Norris graciously allowed the Fentress Courier to include some excerpts from articles written for “We Ride Sport and Trail’ magazine.
She writes…
I've got a confession: I was thinking only of me and my horse when first I brainstormed and mapped out the Top Trail Horse program. I’ve long wanted a way of tracking just how many miles I've ridden in a specific place and/or period, as well as a grand total, in general. Plus…I’m a little competitive. That's when I found out that I’m not alone!
I started using my planner in 2002 to record my ride mileage and notes as I was conditioning for distance riding competitions. It might sound crazy but I didn’t have a GPS, so I was clocking my mileage with my truck pre- or post-ride, since the trails I rode were mostly back-country roads adjacent to my ranch. I became well-acquainted with Google Earth for the off-road rides to get an estimate of the ridden mileage.
These days we have a multitude of options to record our trail tracks from using our smartphones equipped with GPS, to slick handhelds like a Garmin…I kept thinking how fun it would be to see how ALL my trail miles compare to others’ mileage across the entire country. And so, I put my thoughts into action and created the Top Trail Horse program (www.toptrailhorse.com). When we reach milestones along the way, we earn Top Trail certificates and patches to commemorate them.
The Top Trail program actually began to take shape as a Facebook Group in 2013, with the main competitive attraction being the Trail Horse Challenge.
Equine mileage was recorded on a spreadsheet when we first started. This form of record keeping became more and more difficult for me — especially as our membership grew! Fortunately, the Open Trail Project website (trail sharing website) allowed us to use their site for our tracking purposes, and this helped us begin to develop the program more fully.
Top Trail eventually evolved past the limitations of the Open Trail website’s abilities, so the decision was made to move the program to its own internet domain. In January 2019, we rolled out the new Top Trail website. Most of our existing members transferred their miles to the new website, and many new members have joined us along the way.
Once a rider becomes a member of the Top Trail community, all challenge entry fees are waived! We currently have 6 challenge divisions in which our to members compete. We also have several affiliate groups like MFTHBA, NATRC, Michigan Horse Council, 40 Something Cowgirls, and others who create even more opportunities for our members to shine.
There’s so much packed into Top Trail — it’s not just about riding to win! It’s about getting outdoors, enjoying nature, connecting with our horses and other equestrians, and recording the ride. Whether it takes our riders years to reach milestones or mere months—it’s all good—Top Trail members are there to celebrate with you!
We welcome all riders (and those who drive their horses, as well) to join our community. We are supportive, seek to build each other up, encourage considerate horsemanship, and trail stewardship on the journey. So if you would like a little encouragement to get out and ride, please join us! www.toptrailhorse.com.
Locally, Troy and other RidgeTop residents will be hosting the RidgeTop Trails Benefit Challenge which takes place on Saturday, June 11. If you would like to sign up for a beautiful 7 +/- trail challenge with natural obstacles on the RidgeTop Acres trail system go to www.equinetrailsports.com/events/ to locate and enroll in this local event. Registration closes June 8, 2022. The proceeds will be donated to RTTA, Ridge Top Trail Association, whose purpose is "... to maintain and enhance the trails, to promote the use of trails…” For stalls and camping call Timber Ridge Campground, 931-310-1530. For Top Trail information, please email Mrs. Norris, toptrailhorse@gmail.com
