The Trail Awards – new and improved!
We are delighted to announce a new structure for the Trail Awards being implemented with immediate effect, having considered the feedback from our member engagement survey
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 sponsored by Western Tack Trader
- 50 hours: certificate and first aid kit sponsored by Pauline Norton
- 100 hours: SOS saddle tag sponsored by Garrabeg Western Horsemanship
- 250 hours: special rosette and water bottle sponsored by LR Western Horses
- 350 hours: WES branded softshell jacket
- 500 hours: inscribed silver belt buckle supplied by Montana Silversmiths sponsored by Cowgirl Like Me Media
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 non-western tack including stock saddles and English tack for a maximum of 50 hours of the challenge (or 50 miles if you have entered the special 40th Anniversary 500 miles award).
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 50 hours (or 50 miles if you have entered the special 40th Anniversary 500 miles award) of your Trail Award can be completed in-hand.
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, hoof pick and first aid kid.
Meet our amazing sponsors!
Sponsor | What was given | What was sponsored | Agreement | Area | Event | Start | End | Status | Sponsor Logo | Website | Socials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Certificate and first aid kit (50 hours milestone) | WES Trail Award | April 9, 2026 | April 9, 2027 | Active | |||||||
Inscribed silver belt buckle supplied by Montana Silversmiths (500 hours milestone) | WES Trail Award | April 9, 2026 | April 9, 2027 | Active | |||||||
Special rosette and water bottle (250 hours milestone) | WES Trail Award | April 9, 2026 | April 9, 2027 | Active | |||||||
SOS saddle tag (100 hours milestone) | WES Trail Award | April 9, 2026 | April 9, 2027 | Active | |||||||
Hi-viz tabard (sign-up gift) | WES Trail Award | April 9, 2026 | April 9, 2027 | Active |
Sign up for the trail awards
Trail Gallery
Find Us on Facebook | Privacy Policy | website design and content copyright WES, All Rights Reserved