HOST YOUR OWN TRAIL CHALLENGE
Confidently plan and run a structured, professional event.
The Standard Most
Trail Challenges Never Reach
How to confidently design & execute a structured, professional trail challenge using a proven planning system that runs smoothly from start to finish.
A complete event-planning blueprint delivered in one focused live intensive
so you can move from “I should host one someday…”
to confidently running a smooth, organized trail challenge this season.
You’ve had the idea.
“Maybe we should host a trail challenge this year.”
It could be...
A fun barn event
A 4-H fundraiser
A way to give your lesson students something to work toward
A reason to gather your horse friends for a great weekend
A competition
And then the questions start stacking up.
And reality sets in.
Where do you even begin?
How many obstacles do you need?
How do you structure scoring so it is fair?
What forms are required?
How do you price it without losing money?
How do you find judges?
What about volunteers? What should they do?
What about liability?
What if I forget something important?
What if it turns into chaos?
Hosting a trail challenge isn’t overwhelming because you lack creativity or ideas.
It’s hard because there are a lot of moving parts and pieces.
That’s where a clear planning system changes everything.
Meet Your Host
I’m Kelli Paulson, and I’ve been hosting, promoting, and structuring trail challenges for over 20 years.
Everything from small local events to State Fair and Horse Fair levels — on trails, in pastures, and in arenas.
In addition to hosting in-person events, I teach horsemanship clinics across the region and lead online programs and virtual trail challenges with riders from all over. I’ve structured hundreds of obstacles, events, and learning environments — both live and online.
What makes my events different isn’t just creativity.
It’s structure.
I design events with flow, safety, judging clarity, volunteer coordination, and budget awareness in mind — along with great course design and safe, yet challenging trail obstacles.
And in this live intensive, I’m giving you the complete planning system I use.
In This Live Intensive, You’ll Receive:
A Complete Event Blueprint
Clear steps from idea to event day in the right order.
Course Design & Flow Framework
How to structure obstacles for safety, progression, and smooth movement.
Judging & Scoring Structure Overview
A clear, practical framework so results feel fair and organized.
Budget & Fundraiser Planning Tools
Simple worksheets to price correctly and avoid unnecessary losses.
Marketing & Registration Plan
How to promote your event, collect entries, and manage paperwork without tech overwhelm.
Done-For-You Templates & Checklists
Entry forms, score sheets, volunteer roles, planning timelines — so nothing gets forgotten.
What This Live Intensive Looks Like
This is not a passive webinar.
It’s a structured, interactive planning session.
Over three focused hours, you’ll:
Learn each core piece of the trail challenge blueprint
Pause to apply it directly to your own event idea
Brainstorm and map out your event in real time
Ask questions and get clarity as you go
Leave with a clear starting plan, not just information
You’ll receive a printable planning workbook so you can follow along, take notes, and begin building your event as we go.
Come ready to think, map ideas, and start turning your concept into a real plan.
Why This Matters
Good events don’t just happen.
They’re designed.
The difference between a chaotic barn day and a professional, well-run trail challenge isn’t creativity ... it’s structure.
A clear plan before you start
Defined roles so volunteers know exactly what to do
A judging structure that feels fair and organized
A realistic budget so you're not guessing
A timeline that keeps the day moving efficiently
When structure is in place, everything flows.
Riders feel confident.
Volunteers feel useful.
Judges feel prepared.
And you feel calm instead of scrambling.
Structure creates confidence.
And confidence creates events people want to come back to.
Who This Is For
Barn owners and managers who want to host organized, professional events
4-H leaders or youth coordinators planning a structured challenge or fundraiser
Non-profits or groups wanting to host an outreach event or fundraiser
Riding instructors who want a meaningful finale event for their students (great for goal setting)
Horse people who love bringing others together, but want it to run smoothly
You don’t need a massive facility.
You don’t need a huge budget.
You don’t need advanced tech skills.
You need a clear system and a willingness to execute it.
This Is Not For You If…
You’re looking for a casual “throw something together” kind of day
You don’t want to have plan or structure
You’re unwilling to use checklists and follow a system
You expect someone else to do the work for you
This workshop is designed for leaders
who are ready to turn an idea into a real, well-run event.
If you’re ready to stop thinking about hosting an event and actually build one, this is your lane.
Early Enrollment Bonus
(First 10 Registrations)
Enroll early and you’ll receive the Trail Obstacle Builder Resource Pack, a curated PDF collection of obstacle plans and design resources you can use to support your event.
This includes:
✔ Bridge build plans
✔ Pedestal build plans
✔ Sample course layouts from live events
✔ Additional creative obstacle resources
If you’re hosting a trail challenge, having well-designed obstacles makes a difference.
This bonus gives you ready-to-use resources to elevate your event without extra guesswork.
Available to the first 10 workshop registrations only.
Date & Details
Live Intensive: Sunday, March 15
Time: 2:00–5:00 PM Central
Location: Live on Zoom
Can’t attend live?
The full replay will be available (the following day) to all registered participants.
You’ll also receive the complete planning workbook and template resources so you can implement at your own pace.
Announcing
Host Your Own Trail Challenge
Live Workshop
If you’ve ever thought…
“We should host something here.”
“This would be great for our riders.”
“We could raise money and build community.”
…but weren’t sure how to structure it without chaos.
This workshop gives you the complete planning system.
Inside, you’ll receive the Trail Challenge Planning Blueprint™, the same framework I use to design events that run smoothly, stay safe, and feel professional without being overwhelming.
This isn’t about throwing together obstacles.
It’s about building an event that runs smoothly, supports your riders, and reflects well on your program.
One well-run event can:
Strengthen your barn community
Raise funds in a meaningful way
Give riders a goal to work toward
Build leadership inside your program
Elevate your reputation
You don’t need a massive facility.
You don’t need a huge budget.
You need structure.
And that’s what this gives you.
Want Structured Support While You Build?
Host Your Own Trail Challenge
Planning Lab & Implementation Track
(Limited to 12)
For those who don’t just want the plan…
They want to build it.
Includes:
6 weeks of structured implementation sessions
Live event review and feedback
Week 1: Event Vision & Alignment
Define your event type, audience, and scope.
Lock in categories, divisions, and format.
Week 2: Budget & Timeline Refinement
Finalize pricing, expenses, and a realistic working timeline.
Week 3: Marketing & Advertising Strategy
Create a simple, focused promotion plan that fits your event and budget.
Week 4: Course Design & Flow
Submit your obstacle plan and course layout for live review.
Week 5: Judging & Scoring Framework + Volunteer Structure & Logistics
Build your scoring framework and finalize event logistics.
Week 6: Final Review & Execution Plan
Walk through the entire event step-by-step before launch.
This is where clarity becomes execution.
Limited to 12 participants to ensure meaningful feedback and attention.
This track is ideal for those who are committed to actually hosting an event within the next 3–6 months and want structured accountability while they build it.
The Implementation Track will meet Wednesday evenings at 8:00pm CST starting March 25, 2026 and run for 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Design a Trail Challenge That Runs Smoothly From Start to Finish?
Stop guessing.
Start planning.
Join the Live Intensive and walk away with a complete, structured blueprint you can use this season.
Choose your level of support.
Some leaders want the blueprint.
Some want structured guidance as they build.
Both paths begin with the Live Intensive.
Host Your Own Trail Challenge
Live Intensive
3 Hour Interactive Planning Intensive
Complete Planning Workbook
Event Forms & Templates
Full Replay Access
Use the replay again and again for each event you plan,
Open enrollment. Unlimited seats.
Perfect for leaders who want a clear, structures plan they can execute independently.
$147
One-time payment
Live access + replay + workbook + templates
Host Your Own Trail Challenge
Planning Lab & Implementation Track (Limited to 12)
Everything in the Live Intensive Plus...
6 weeks of structures implementation sessions - with replays
Live reviews and feedback
Week 1: Event Vision & Alignment
Week 2: Budget & Timeline Refinement
Week 3: Marketing & Advertising Strategy
Week 4: Course Design & Flow
Week 5: Judging, Scoring & Volunteer Structure
Week 6: Final Review & Execution Plan
Note: All of these topics will be included in the live intensive.
This is where clarity becomes execution.
Ideal for leaders committed to hosting their event within 3–6 months and who want direct feedback and accountability.
$297
One-time payment
Includes Live Intensive + 6 weeks Implementation
Limited to 12 participants
Join the Live Intensive and walk away with a complete, repeatable event system you can use this season and beyond.