Trail Obstacles
are just the
Beginning!
Build a solid, confident, Life-Ready Horse,
one Project at a time.
Know what to practice, understand why it matters, and enjoy your horse more.
Trail Obstacle Project helps you develop clearer communication, better timing, and confidence through purposeful groundwork, riding exercises, and trail obstacles.
Learn online, with your own horse, on your own schedule.
Our next focus: Working Equitation
Beginning November 1
Explore Working Equitation while improving your everyday horsemanship. We’ll use exercises and obstacles to develop straightness, smoother transitions, backing, side passing, and confidence.
You don’t have to compete to benefit. These skills carry into trail riding, obstacle challenges, and everyday time with your horse.
Join now and begin preparing in October with foundation groundwork that introduces my teaching vocabulary and helps you develop communication you can carry into the saddle.
You’ll also receive immediate access to the existing TOP lessons, exercises, and community.
$27 per month or $197 per year
Know what to practice
and why.
A sticky gate, crooked backing, or hesitant bridge crossing can show you where your foundation needs attention.
Inside Trail Obstacle Project, you’ll learn to notice those details and work through them step by step.
My approach starts with learning to direct your horse’s feet, on the ground and in the saddle.
Get to the feet.
Get to the mind.
That’s The Core of Horsemanship: developing awareness, timing, feel, and clear communication, then applying those skills wherever you go with your horse.
"I want to equip you with clear actionable skills (with no overwhelm) so you can make huge progress with your horse."
Got obstacles?
Let's give them a purpose!
Turn your poles, barrels, and bridges into a plan for better horsemanship.
Each Project gives you a skill to develop, exercises to practice, and a way to recognize progress. Learn in layers and notice the little tries along the way.
Better Horsemanship.
More Confidence.
More Enjoyment.
Rooted in Vaquero-style horsemanship principles, TOP helps you build a foundation you can use beyond the obstacle course.
- Know what to practice and why, so your time with your horse has purpose.
- Develop clearer communication by learning to direct the feet with timing and feel.
- Build confidence in horse and rider through progressive, purposeful exercises.
- Improve your obstacle rides with better preparation, balance, and responsiveness.
- Enjoy your horse more, with less frustration and more understanding.
Trail obstacles are just the beginning.
Hi, I'm Kelli
I help riders develop confident, capable horses through practical foundation horsemanship.
Trail obstacles are one of my favorite teaching tools because they make communication visible. They show us what’s working and where a skill needs another layer.
My goal is to help you understand what’s happening, know what to do next, and make thoughtful decisions with your horse.
What riders say about learning with Kelli
Kelli has a great way of breaking things down step by step and communicating clearly and kindly. I am going home with new found confidence and tools to take on new challenges.
Kelly Mitchell
Kelli’s clinic gave me ideas to progress my communication and horsemanship with my mare. She teaches in a way that is easy to understand and non judgemental. I had a great time.
Cheryl Robben
The foundation is everything.
The foundation is everything.
Groundwork gives you the basic building blocks. Each level above it uses those same pieces with greater timing, feel, and precision. First in the saddle, then through trail obstacles, and finally in the real-life situations that make a Life-Ready Horse.
What is included in The Trail Obstacle Project...
Foundation groundwork and riding lessons to help you develop clearer, lighter responses.
Purposeful obstacle Projects and exercises, including bridges, gates, backing, side passing, trailer loading, the X grid, and more.
A shared Project focus to give your practice direction and something to work on alongside other members.
Monthly group Zoom support to ask questions and troubleshoot the current focus.
The member Facebook community to share progress, ask questions, and find encouragement.
Printable exercises, patterns, and resources to take with you when you work with your horse.
Start with the foundation and work at your own pace. Revisit lessons whenever you need another look.
Your membership includes our Working Equitation focus beginning November 1 and October groundwork preparation.
CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Monthly: $27 per month
Annual: $197 per year
Save $127 compared with twelve monthly payments.
Both options include the same membership access and support.
Is TOP for you?
TOP is for riders who enjoy obstacles and want to improve their overall horsemanship.
You don’t need to be an advanced rider, own an elaborate obstacle course, or have a perfectly trained horse.
Bring a willingness to learn, practice, and pay attention. We’ll build from there
The Trail Obstacle Project complements our Virtual Trail Rider Challenge, where you can put your skills to the test in structured challenges and receive personalized feedback on your progress.
Questions before you join?
Can I start right away?
Yes. You receive immediate access to the existing lessons and community. Join during October to begin your groundwork preparation before the Working Equitation focus starts November 1.
Do I need to compete in Working Equitation?
No. You can use these exercises to improve your horsemanship whether you want to compete, enjoy trail obstacles, or simply ride with more clarity and confidence.
Do I need a full obstacle course?
No. Many exercises use simple poles, cones, or everyday materials. Start with what you have and choose exercises that fit your space and equipment.
How much time do I need?
Work at your own pace. Choose a lesson or exercise and practice as your schedule allows. You can spend longer on a skill whenever you or your horse need it.
What if I need help?
Ask questions in the member Facebook group or bring them to the monthly group Zoom session. You’re encouraged to share a short video to show where you’re stuck.
What can I keep?
Video access is available while your membership is active. You may download, print, and keep the printable exercises and resources.
“Kelli Paulson has a gift as a horse professional to teach in an inspiring way. She can explain clearly each step of a complex maneuver in an encouraging way. Kelli is safety conscious and shares her fundamentals for horse and human interactions. She stresses the importance of moving the feet to connect with the horse’s mind and build on those basics for attaining bigger goals.”
Theresa Burns
Check out all the amazing content already in Trail Obstacle Horsemanship...
This is not a random library of exercises.
Everything inside the Trail Obstacle Project is designed to layer skills, build confidence, and help you develop a calm, responsive, life-ready horse from the ground to the saddle.
Learn Foundation Horsemanship applied to Trail Obstacles and build a LIFE-READY horse, one step at a time.
"I want to equip you with clear actionable skills (with no overwhelm) so you can make huge progress with your horse."
Start building your Life-Ready Horse.
Give your time with your horse a purpose and your obstacles a job.
Join today, begin your groundwork preparation, and get ready for Working Equitation on November 1.