Hair have you ever heard of NATRC, (North American Trail Riders Conference). It is the organization I ride in competetively.It's a national thing, here's a link to their web site:
http://www.natrc.org
I think it is a great way to improve riding skills and still have alot of fun and something whole families do together.
As much as you two seem to want to and enjoy trail riding you ought to look it this. It's just competitive enough to make it fun, plus you get to go all over your reigon, run into some of the same people. Alot of regions get permission to hold their rides in places that you normally wouldn't get to ride in.
The think I like best about it, besides getting to really ride, rather then just going around an arena, is that once the competition is over and they give out the awards, you get the judges score cards, so you see what you did good, bad or in between. Unlike the show ring when you leave and may not have a clue as to why you didn't place, or why you did:) I learned sooooooo much from going to these.
Becky
I would be interested in that. Bay is too old for more endurance racing, but he might be able to do Competitive Trail for a while. I do know others here who do it, so there is a local following here.
Also want to re-join the local Chapter of the local Back-Country Horsemen. They just do fun rides in high country, and also volunteer and do a lot of trail building/maintenance in our local state forest.