United Mountain Horse would like to announce affiliation with the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) and the establishment of UMH/AGMH High Point Competitive Trail Horse of the Year Awards.

ACTHA is a national organization, founded by 2 horsewomen looking for a way to enjoy their horses and trail riding in a fun competitive environment. Their vision has grown into a registry for trail horses of all breeds, showcasing the attributes of the great American Trail Horse. ACTHA maintains a point designation system for each participating horse throughout its lifetime to grant these horses and their riders the recognition they deserve. ACTHA rides are sanctioned by the organization and hosted by local groups as fund raisers. A portion of the fees is returned to ACTHA each year. ACTHA makes donations to eligible horse charities each year to enable the humane treatment of horses in need.

ACTHA rides (called Competitive Trail Challenges) are 6-10 mile trail rides with judged obstacles along the way. These are not timed events. You may ride with a group, but obstacles are performed one horse at a time. Most rides take 2 -3 hours to complete. There are ACTHA prizes and cash awards for the top 6 finishers in each of 3 divisions at each ride. You can receive other benefits just by being an ACTHA member and competitor (for more information check out the ACTHA website).

A new UMH High Point Award will be established to reward AGMH/ASMH registered mountain horses participating in ACTHA rides across the United States. The top 3 scoring horses will be honored each year at the UMH High Point Awards Banquet beginning in 2011. The ACTHA year runs from June 1st of one year to May 31st of the next year.  Challenges are held across the country, check at the ACTHA website for ride dates and sites near you.  Watch for information about a UMH Sponsored ACTHA CTC this fall in honor of our new affiliation.  You could be riding one of the first ever UMH High Point Competitive Trail Horses of the Year.