The ‘Man of Trail' SHARES HIS TIPS

I’ve designed some of the toughest trail courses for the top shows. Now I’ll help you navigate them.

- Tim Kimura

TRAIL IS A DANCE that requires rhythm and connection. Every good dancer has a choreographer, and the same can be said for trail exhibitors. I may be best known as a trail-course designer, but I’m also the choreographer and dance instructor. It’s my job to teach you how to gain rhythm and use it to connect with one of my courses.

My goal is to get people to participate in trail classes. I want you to love trail and learn how to continuously improve. To do that, I construct engaging courses that challenge riders, make them think, and (sometimes) make them laugh. My approach to designing some of the world’s toughest courses carries over to the way I approach my clinics—I want to give you a new perspective on how to master this challenging event. Here I’ll discuss six keys to conquering my courses.

FEEL THE MUSIC 

Music has been an important part of horse shows for a long time. Long before wireless speakers and Bluetooth audio, an organist played music that synced up to the gait of the horses showing. I like to add music to see a connection between the horse, rider, and my trail patterns.

An upbeat song can become the tempo to the pattern—it inspires you to do something. We start with a pre-test where you’ll ride through a course to evaluate what you need to work on. You probably get nervous over certain obstacles. This is when I use music to help. Focus on the music, and feel yourself relax and your anxiety settle, which naturally helps your horse settle as well. Key trail tip: Find a song that puts you at ease, and hear it in your mind when executing an obstacle that might usually cause anxiety.