Ridecamp: [RC] 100 mile rides

I am usually a lurker here but now I have some questions that I would
like help with.
I would like to do my 1st 100 this weekend. The trails are relatively
flat. Start at 4:30
AM. I have practiced riding in the dark this week and my horse seems to
be slow.
1st question: In your experience does a horse get better at traveling in
the dark at a ride or
do I need to spend more time working on this factor? I did time him at 3
1/2 mph ( I know slow but he
was wanting to stop and eat as well as go back to the trailer since we
were riding essentially by our selves)
What would be a good pace in the dark, especially the last part of the
ride. It appears that they are forecasting
rain so the moon will be of little help. I did ride with a head light
that did not cast any shadows and my horse did
love that! Would a 5 mph average speed with I think 4  45 min holds be
fast enough? I can and do plan to do
a 6 mph when it is daylight. I am just trying to finish and gain my horse
and I some valuable experience.
Pat in Kansas

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