Trail Awards

⭐ The Trail Awards – new and improved! ⭐

We are delighted to announce a new structure for the Trail Awards being implemented with immediate effect!!

More fab awards!

With a focus on safety on the trails for horse and rider, we have added more milestones and more awards, with no increase to the current one-off £40 sign up fee.

Participants will still need to be a member of WES for the duration of their Trail Awards

What You Get

On signing up: hi-viz tabard

50 hours: certificate and first aid kit
100 hours: SOS saddle tag
250 hours: special rosette and water bottle
350 hours: softshell jacket
500 hours: inscribed silver belt buckle supplied by Montana Silversmiths

A bonus for existing participants!

Existing participants will receive a hi-viz tabard, no matter where on their Trail Awards journey they are.

Additional 1,000 hours award!

Anyone who has already completed a 500 hour Trail Award can, at any time, pay a one-off signup fee of £25 to enter our new 1,000 hours challenge.

Participants record hours annually and remain a member of WES for the duration of the challenge
On achieving 1,000 hours, you are awarded a WES branded Clique Idaho Jacket, with your name/your horse’s name and 1,000 hours included in the brand.

New rules on tack!

Previously we required the Trail Awards to be completed whilst riding in western tack.

Under the new rules, we will accept ANY tack including stock saddles and English tack.

We want to encourage people at the beginning of their western riding journey to participate even if they haven’t yet got all the gear!

A new in-hand element!

We recognise that there may be times when horses are exercised on the trails in-hand, rather than under saddle – they may be young or old, rehabbing from injury, or just because it’s fun!

So, we are introducing an in-hand element where up to 250 hours of your Trail Award can be completed in-hand, including long-lining.

A focus on safety

We encourage Trail Awards participants to prioritise their safety and that of their horse at all times.

We recommend hard hats when riding, good quality and well fitted tack, hats and gloves when working in-hand, sturdy footwear hi-viz for you and your horse, and carrying a mobile phone and first aid kid.