Equine Trail Sports LLC

What Equine Trail Sports LLC does

Equine Trail Sports LLC (ETS) is a privately-held, membership-based equestrian sports organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. It operates a structured trail challenge and obstacle course competition format across six regions in the United States and Canada, serving horse owners, riders, breeders, and the independent hosts (ranchers, clubs, and trainers) who run sanctioned events. The company has built partnerships with more than 25 breed associations, which integrate breed-specific recognition into ETS results, and offers a standardized training and judging program to ensure consistent event execution.

ETS generates revenue through a multi-tier pricing model: $45 annual adult memberships (with free membership for ages 7–22), $11 day passes, $30–$69 event registration fees, $3 tournament fees, and merchandise sales. Its product surface spans multiple event formats (Trail Challenge, Obstacle Trail, Obstacle Course, In Hand, and Recreation Ride) plus a Virtual Competition format that allows video-submission participation. The company supports these operations with proprietary software including the ETS Scoring App and an Event Manager platform, and has introduced tiered loyalty programs (Carrot Club and Star Rider Club) to drive retention. The team consists of 7 employees across general management, operations, events, standards/rules, and IT.

The business model is asset-light and community-driven: ETS licenses its format and provides scoring/judging infrastructure to independent hosts rather than owning venues. This positions the company as a standards body and platform operator in a niche recreational segment, with growth tied to regional host density, breed association penetration, and the digital expansion enabled by its virtual and mobile product lines.

Name

Equine Trail Sports LLC

Legal name

Equine Trail Sports LLC

Website

https://equinetrailsports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Equine Trail Sports LLC is a membership-based equestrian trail and obstacle sports organization, founded in 2013 in Austin, Texas, operating across six US and Canadian regions and serving individual riders, hosts, and 25+ breed association partners through standardized competitive events and proprietary scoring software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Sports Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKABAG

Equestrian Teams & Stables (Racing/Show Jumping/Eventing)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Professional Sports Teams & Clubs

SECONDARYAFAEAGAF

Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Equine (Horse) Breeding & Operations

Keywords

• Equestrian trail events
• Obstacle course competition
• Horse riding memberships
• Recreational trail riding
• Breed association awards

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: Annual membership at $45 per rider (age 23+), with free membership for ages 7-22. Members receive eligibility for regional/national tournaments, lifetime recognition awards, mileage tracking, ability to register unlimited horses, early registration access, and branded materials (bracket card, decal).
2. Day Pass Membership: $11 day pass for riders age 23+ (free for ages 7-22), providing single-event access to ETS events.
3. Event Registration Fees: Tiered event registration fees: Trail Challenge ($59-$69 depending on early bird/age), Obstacle Trail ($52-$62), Obstacle Course/In Hand ($45-$55), Recreation Ride ($30-$40). Fees vary by event based on host discretion for fundraising purposes.
4. Tournament Fees: $3 tournament fee added to each paid event entry for tournament eligibility (e.g., Northwest Finals Qualifier).
5. Merchandise/Apparel Sales: ETS branded apparel including embroidered vests ($45-$50), jackets ($50-$55), shirts ($47), caps ($20), t-shirts ($23), and long sleeves ($27). Sold via email order to [email protected] with PayPal or credit card payment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Equine Trail Sports LLC organizes and manages equestrian trail challenge and obstacle course competitions across 6 US/Canada regions, offering standardized event formats (Trail Challenge, Obstacle Trail, Obstacle Course, In Hand, Recreation Ride, Virtual Competition) supported by a proprietary ETS Scoring App and Event Manager Software. The company runs on an annual membership ($45) plus tiered event registration fee model, with revenue also generated from merchandise sales and breed association partnership programs.

Product overview

Equine Trail Sports LLC operates a comprehensive equestrian event management platform centered around trail challenges and obstacle courses. The core offering consists of five distinct event formats: Trail Challenge (5-10 mile trail rides with at least 6 obstacles), Obstacle Trail (2-4 miles with at least 8 obstacles), Obstacle Course (arena/field events with at least 8 obstacles), In Hand (handler-led obstacle courses), and Recreation Rides (1-10 miles for fun or fundraising). A Virtual Competition format allows video submission. The platform is supported by membership programs ($45 annual for ages 23+, free for 7-22), the ETS Scoring App for event management, Event Manager Software for hosts, and Judge Training Certification. Loyalty programs include the Equine Carrot Club and Star Rider Club for lifetime achievement tracking. The company also offers apparel merchandise and maintains a Breed Association Partners Program with 25+ horse breed registries. Tournament programs span National, Regional (Midwest, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast, Southwest), Host Series, and Breed Association categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trail Challenge (TC) A relaxing trail ride with judged obstacles placed in camp and on trail, covering 5–10 miles with at least 6 obstacles. One horse and rider per event, ridden at a leisurely pace. Open to all breeds of horses, donkeys, and mules.
• Obstacle Trail (OT) A trail event combining pasture, arena, and trail (2–4 miles) with at least 8 obstacles. Multiple horses per rider may be allowed at host discretion.
• Obstacle Course (OC) An arena or field-based mounted event (0–1 mile) with at least 8 obstacles. Multiple horses per rider are allowed but cannot hold up the event.
• In Hand (IH) Arena or pasture-based courses with at least 8 obstacles where the handler works with the equine through obstacles on a lead line. Multiple horses per handler allowed at host discretion.
• Recreation Ride (RR) Provides 1 to 10 miles of recreational riding, used for practice Trail Challenge with obstacles and feedback, fun formats like poker runs, or pleasure riding as a fundraiser.
• Virtual Competition (VC) Virtual competitions requiring riders to submit a video of their pattern by a required due date. Videos are judged and riders receive a scorecard and comments.
• ETS Annual Membership Annual membership for $45 (ages 23+) providing eligibility for regional and national tournaments, lifetime recognition awards, mileage tracking, ability to register unlimited horses, early registration via 'Save My Spot' feature, and an ETS Bracket Card and window cling decal. Free for ages 7–22.
• ETS Day Pass Single-day membership option for $11 (ages 23+) and free for ages 7–22, allowing participation in ETS events without an annual commitment.
• ETS Scoring App Mobile-friendly scoring application provided to event hosts for easy onsite rider registration, fast score entry, and automated event and series results calculation. Creates, tracks, and automates tournaments.
• Event Manager Software Online platform providing event hosts with event materials, easy check-in with weekend roster, automated sign-out sheet, rider numbers, and amenity reservation management tools.
• Judge Training & Certification Online judge training webinar program that develops a pool of certified judges for ETS events, including certification levels and ongoing education.
• ETS Apparel Branded merchandise including embroidered vests ($45–$50), jackets ($50–$55), shirts ($27–$47), caps ($20), and wild rags ($15) ordered via Beelart Embroidery.

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETS events count toward AQHA awards program. Riders earn ETS placement points that accumulate for AQHA recognition. AQHA Top 5 tournament awards for equines based on placement points by bracket.
• American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMHA High Point Award recognizes Morgan horses and riders accumulating ranking points through ETS events. Real-time data access for AMHA to track member participation.
• American Bashkir Curly Registry (ABCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABCR members' ETS points/miles automatically available for breed awards. ABCR has login to access real-time event activity for all equines in their registry.
• American Blazer Horse Association (ABHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABHA High Point tournament for Blazer horses based on ETS placement points by bracket. Partners since at least 2020.
• American Indian Horse Registry (AIHR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETS event points/miles count toward AIHR awards program. Real-time data sharing of member participation.
• American Mustang & Burro Association (AMBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMBA High Point Award for Mustangs and Burros performing in ETS events. Points/miles automatically tracked for association members.
• Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApHC High Point Award recognizing Appaloosa horse and rider achievements in ETS trail sports events.
• Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMFTHBA Regional High Point Awards across 5 regions (Midwest, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast) based on ETS participation and placement points.
• Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTWHBEA High Point Award plus separate TWHBEA Youth High Point Award for young riders, both based on ETS placement points.
• Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIP High Point Award recognizing Thoroughbreds in ETS events. Points automatically available for Jockey Club members.
• Gypsy Horse Registry of America (GHRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGHRA High Point Award for Gypsy horses competing in ETS events. Real-time access to member event data.
• Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (GVHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGVHS High Point Award recognizing Gypsy Vanner horses in ETS trail sports. Automatic data sharing for member tracking.
• Kiger Horse Association & Registry (KHAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKHAR High Point Award for Kiger horses participating in ETS events. Points/miles accumulate toward breed recognition.
• American Paso Fino Horse AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETS events count toward American Paso Fino Horse Association awards program. Member data automatically shared for award tracking.
• International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIALHA High Point Award recognizing Andalusian and Lusitano horses in ETS events. Partnership active since at least 2020.
• APHA Paint Alternative CompetitionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPHA Alternative Competition awards for Paint horses participating in ETS trail and obstacle events.
• Arabian Horse AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETS events recognized for Arabian Horse Association members seeking award credit for trail sports participation.
• Clydesdale Breeders of the USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClydesdale horses can earn recognition in ETS events. Partnership active since at least 2020 with placement point tracking.
• International Spotted Horse Registry AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISHR High Point Award for Spotted horses in ETS competitions. Member data automatically tracked.
• Performance Shagya-Arabian RegistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETS events count toward Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry annual award program.
• Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association (SSHBEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSHBEA High Point Award for Spotted Saddle Horses in ETS trail sports.
• United States Mangalarga Marchador Association (USMMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSMMA High Point Award based on ETS ranking points for Mangalarga Marchador horses.
• United States Lipizzan FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETS events count toward US Lipizzan Federation awards program for member horses.
• Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHF placement point recognition for Mustangs in ETS competitive events.
• Rocky Mountain Horse Association (RMHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRMHA High Point Award for Rocky Mountain horses competing in ETS trail and obstacle events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EquineTrail
• Facebookfacebook.com/EquineTrailSports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/equine-trail-sports-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Equine Trail Sports LLC