Filley woman operates national organization from her home

NATRC sanctions long-distance competitive trail rides and clinics for riders of all equine breeds and disciplines in six regions throughout North America. The organization was established in California in 1961.

Smith began in 2016 as the Executive Director and sole employee of NATRC.

“We promote safety, sportsmanship, education and trail horse care through qualified evaluation of horse and rider by veterinary and horsemanship judges, in a fun, family-friendly environment,” she said. “We also offer educational events to provide continuing education year-round.”

She noted that she relies on volunteers throughout the six regions in the United States to coordinate rides at 60-70 different venues. Some of those venues host up to three rides during that weekend depending on divisions and different types of competitive rides.

Smith is responsible for the administration of the organization including oversight of the multiple committees. She sanctions the rides and works with day-to-day operations. Handling insurance and membership functions are another part of her duties.

She has been on several podcasts, done presentations, manages social media and coordinates annual conventions.

Smith serves as a horsemanship judge and has done every volunteer job at one time or another at trail rides.  

She said that she works as a liaison in work with other organizations. Currently she is working with a team from Patagonia that is looking at the use of equines to bolster recreation and conservation in their area.

“They are losing trails and because we have so much established work in our sport, they connected with me. We’re sharing resources and strategizing. It’s fascinating,” she said.

The United States Marine Veteran said working at home is sometimes challenging.

“It’s a bigger challenge to work at home when my kids aren’t in school and whatever they are doing looks way more fun than what I’m doing,” she said. “But I’ve done it long enough that I have a solid routine. I know what needs to be done during peak seasons, but it does require some self-discipline.

“On the flip side, I like the flexibility that working at home offers. How many people get to turn their childhood passion and hobby into a career.”

Smith started riding horses when she was 6 years old. She started competing with NATRC when she was 10.

“Then it was 10 years old before a junior could compete in a ride. Now it’s 8 years old,” she said. “A month after my 10th birthday I rode at Rock Creek Station in my first competition.”

She said her parents were not horse people, but a woman who worked with her dad had given Smith her first horse.

“Joyce Jensen gave me my first mare, Nici, and introduced me to Nebraska Endurance and Trail Ride Association (NECTRA). She took me to all the meetings, fun rides and eventually competitive rides,” she said. “That’s how I met Chuck Edwards.”

In September, Smith served as the Ride Manager for the NATRC Indian Cave State Park ride. While she has served as the manager approximately eight times, this year marked the 50th anniversary of the ride being held in the park.

It is the longest continuous occurring ride on the same trails in NATRC.

Smith served as the ride manager as a personal favor to Chuck Edwards who was one of the three founding members of the Indian Cave trails and ride. She said Edwards was her “NATRC dad.”

She recognized Edwards during a special celebration at the ride.

“The club wanted a special way to commemorate the 50th Anniversary ride and Edwards’ years of dedication,” she said.

A mounting block with a permanent plaque was placed near the shelter in the horse campground at Indian Caves State Park.

A portion of the plaque reads:

“In the spring of 1973, Chuck Edwards, Bill Wicklund and Al Otton along with the Park Superintendent Larry Cook began establishing the Indian Cave State Park’s Trail System. Using topographic maps and following wildlife trails, the men began clearing and widening the trails with hand tools and surveyor tape to make them equine and people accessible. Later, larger equipment was used for mowing down thick brush and pushing back the edges. A few new trails have been added over the years but most of them branch off from the originally laid trails. “Think of these modern explorers as you ride along in their footsteps and dreams and thank them for the beautiful opportunity we enjoy in hills of Indian Cave.”

Edwards said the friends that helped him were no longer here.

“The other two that helped with this — they’re no longer here and they were good friends,” he said. “We worked together and never had an argument to get this park cleaned up. They had to walk the trails. Nobody could love this park any more than I could from the first time we came down here. I fell in love with this park.”

Smith has 5,430 competitive miles in NATRC. She has ridden 200 competitive miles with the American Endurance Ride Conference. One hundred of those miles were in the 24-hour / 100-mile Tevis Cup ride in 2018.

She noted that this was more than a job.

“I would never have been able to do the Tevis Cup ride without my experience in NATRC and without the many people I’ve met along the way that have become friends and support,” she said.

Smith’s daughter, Ruby, is 12 years old and has been competing with NATRC for two years.

For more information on becoming involved with NATRC visit www.natrc.org.