Bartlett, TN Outdoor Activities

At Showcase Equestrian Center, instructors work to build solid and long-lasting relationships between students and horses through lessons, camps, and therapeutic riding sessions. Maintaining a focus on both events and safety, they help lead students to victory at championship competitions while also working with beginner through intermediate riders during private lessons that focus on riding and proper horse care. Lessons take place either on Showcase Equestrian Center's outdoor grounds or in its indoor ring, which features custom GGT textile footing—the same surface used during Olympic events such as dressage, jumping, and horse shot put.

Hanging rows of brightly painted decks from its walls decorated with colorful graffiti art, MG Boards Skate Shop outfits the local skating community with a variety of boards and apparel. Shoes from Emerica and Etnies keep feet firmly on the grip tape, and longboards facilitate quick urban transportation without the hassle of heavy rush-hour rollerblading. Dedicated to increasing awareness of skating's health benefits, the staff at MG Boards extend their passion to the entire Memphis community, from sponsoring the Down South Longboarding Group to participating in half-marathon races to benefit Habitat for Hope.

The LuvMud Benefit Event sends costumed sprinters charging and trudging along a 5K course riddled with mud, obstacles, and more mud in order to raise funds for Habitat for Hope, a nonprofit organization supporting the families of seriously ill children. Having grown each year since its inception in 2010, the annual race challenges individuals and teams to conquer tough terrain designed with varying levels of difficulty so as to accommodate participants of all fitness levels. Along the route, spectators gather to scout the action, and volunteers stand by to provide directions and tips, such as reminding racers not to eat any mud without sprinkling on a few blades of grass first.

After making it through the final, massive, 50-foot mud pit and crossing the finish line, finishers recharge their bionic legs with fruit, water, and snacks. Meanwhile, an all-day festival celebrates the occasion with live music and food vendors, and showering equipment supplied by the Memphis Fire Department cleans off any caked-on mud and sweat from the race. LuvMud also holds special races that allow participants’ dogs to join in the fun, as well as all-night camping events that include nighttime racing and live music.

Mel Baddorf didn’t start out as a runner. He used to be content cheering on his sons, who both scored college running scholarships, until he opened his own fitness club, lost 70 pounds, and discovered a love for fitness that endures to this day. That love is equaled by his enjoyment of sharing Memphis history with others, and Rockin' Running Tours pairs those passions as he leads athletic guests around the city at a calorie-burning pace.

The informative tours range from 3–6 miles, with Mel adjusting the pace so everyone can keep up. Groups can set forth on their own tour of two to six people, or join up with other visitors for camaraderie as they discover Civil War history, explore Midtown Memphis, or see the downtown sights. Mel also maps out custom pub runs where groups sample microbrews and get in touch with the city’s livelier side. Each guest receives a post-run bottle of water and a snack, as well as a souvenir T-shirt ideal for throwing on in lieu of a shower.