NASMDA Versatility Trail Program
 Note:  Your animal does NOT have to be registered to participate in the VTP Program.

VTP Members Awards

NASMDA believes the recreational ability of riding or driving the Saddle Mule and Donkey on the trail is just as important as competitions, when educating the public about the benefits of Saddle Mule and Donkey ownership. Whether you are involved in recreational, endurance, or competitive trail activities, NASMDA would like to recognize your pastime with an awards program to acknowledge your contribution in bringing the Saddle Mule and Donkey to the forefront as the Equine of Choice in the 21st Century.
 

When you enroll in the Versatility Trail Program you will receive the official NASMDA VTP log sheet on which you keep track of the hours you spend riding or driving a Saddle Mule. Log Sheets are available and should be filled out and mailed or scanned and emailed to the VTP Chairman.. The VTP is being re-vitalized!  Your comments and recommendations are always welcome.  You set your own pace and there is no time limit for completion of any level of participation.

NASMDA would challenge you to do your personal best not compete with other riders. Participants must, however, submit log sheets at least once a year for NASMDA to be able to update and keep accurate records.

Once an award level is reached, members send in their log sheets to have them verified. A period of one month will be required for verification of accrued hours and presentation of awards. Members will be on the honor system.

To help members set their goals and reach them, NASMDA will recognize member's achievements with a plaque and a gold "50 Hours Achieved" medal that can be attached. As you progress, you will receive a gold medal to place in each empty place holder on the plaque. When you reach 2,000 hours your name will be on the final achievement medal.
 

1. To enroll in the VTP, you must be a member of NASMDA. You must remain an active member for the duration of time in which you are trying to record hours toward a recognition level.
2. You must pay a one-time enrollment fee of $30 per rider.
3. You must ride or drive a mule/hinny/donkey. You do not have to own the mule/hinny/donkey.
4. You must keep an accurate record of the time (one hour for each hour actually spent riding or driving) in your official NASMDA VTP log.
5. Endurance riders may compute their miles at 4 miles per hour (4:1 ratio).
6. NASMDA VTP offers bonus hours to members who log time on a national trail, as recognized by the Canadian or U.S. National Parks Service (state or provincial parks are not included.) For every hour you spending riding or driving on a trail in a U.S. or Canadian National Park, you may earn double hours. In other words, if you spend one hour riding or driving in a national park, you may log two hours for your time.
7. You may record time for any activity other than showing in which you participate in leisure riding or driving on the trail or participation in endurance and/or competitive trials.
8. NASMDA VTP will recognize your riding or driving participation. Achievements will then be recognized with awards at specified hours and Certificates.  There is no time limit during which you must achieve these hours, however, you must maintain your membership in NASMDA.

• The South Eastern Distance Riders Association sanctions both competitive trail, endurance and ride and ties and is exchanging links with NASMA.  Competition is open to all breeds of horses, mules and ponies.
• Trail Riding Safety - Avoid Close Encounters of the Wrong Kind.  Submitted by Betty Robinson.
• Personal entry submitted by Jayme Feary regarding her upcoming equine expedition along the entire length of the U.S. Continental Divide.  This expedition will include a NASMA registered mule that will be ridden or packed 3,700 miles.  Her progress and journal entries will be logged here:  www.ridingamericasspine.com.
• First Aid on the Trail.  Reprinted with permission from “The Saddle Mule News”

• Horse & Mule Trails
• Federal Land Reservations

• Horse Motels
• National Park Service Reservations

  
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