If ever there was an organization that felt like family, NATRC is it!
Even if you are not a member and you attend NATRC rides, folks will welcome you and help you wherever they can. For people new to competitive trail riding, many rides have a get together after ride briefing where experienced riders, and often the horsemanship judge, are present to answer your questions and share refreshments with you.

Forget to ask a question at the briefing, feel free to ask your campsite neighbors. They’ll help you with such things as setting up a safe camp, positioning your horse trailer, sharing electrical outlets, lending you something you forgot to pack (like toilet paper, cinch, jacket or aspirin), giving you advice on tack adjustment, procedures at P&Rs and a multitude of other things.

Out on the trail, the same is true. Shoe loose? Someone might be carrying a hammer or will hold your horse while to use a rock to tighten up the nails. Bang your knee on a tree and cut it open? Your fellow riders will help bandage it; even supplying the bandage. Lost your watch or map? Someone will let you ride with them to keep you on trail and on time. Fall off and your horse disappear down the trail? One person will help you; another will go get your horse and bring it back. Miss a ribbon and follow the wrong path? Someone will holler at you and call you back to the trail. These are just some of the things NATRCers do for each other.

That is just the kind of people we are. And the help continues in the yahoo chat rooms. Ask a question and you will usually get half a dozen answers. Need for folks to pray for your horse who is having colic surgery, they will, just ask. Need a horse transported somewhere? Ask; there is probably a member going that way. Folks have even gotten married at NATRC rides making their commitment in the presence of their NATRC family.

We love to share stories. You will find that anyone who has been around for a while has gone through what you are going through and has some pretty embarrassing, funny stories about it that they happily share. We share our campfires, share our stories, share ourselves and look after each other…..just like family.