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[RC] Rule changes for Newbies - sandy . l . holder


Having only just completed my second AERC season (but having ridden for years), I believe I'm still in the 'newbie' category per some of the descriptions proposed; however, I have to tell you that making newbies 'go slow' wouldn't have been the answer for me.  It had nothing to do with going fast or slow.  What worked for me were veteran mentors.  Believe it or not, I finished my first "endurance ride" - defined as 50 miles or more - in slightly over 4 hours >gasp<.  Well, the devil's in the details.

First, I've been doing 'endurance' for awhile without knowing AERC's definition of it.  Second, I've had what I think are the best trainers and mentors around.  My first official 50 was on one of Tracy Webb's well seasoned, EXCEPTIONALLY TRAINED/FIT (read 100 miler here) endurance horses, who trotted through the flat El Paso moonlight with such an easy manner that when the race started ("ya'll can go now"), he didn't budge until I gave him the signal.  We rode the entire time sandwiched between 2 other seasoned riders and horses - all Tracy's, at a very consistent pace (check out her FlightLeader.com site if you're interested).  As I recall, a young girl of 7 or 8 finished in the top ten on a well put together horse.  By Tyxson's final trot out, he didn't even look like he'd broken a sweat - all A's as I recall (me, I wanted to quit after the first 22 miles but Tracy's dad Hank gave me the inspiration to f! inish. . . something like "unless your leg's broke, quitting is not an option").   4 hours in my native California would give both my horse and I a coronary.

Speaking of my own rescued horse, there have been some real trials.  His first 25, he was a nervous nut.  They called me the donut girl because I kept making him circle to listen to me and I thought he was tying up when we came into the vet check, only to have Nancy Elliott tell me he was all A's but a bit nervous (she informed me I needed electrolytes!).  I've had nervous horse issues (yeah, he shakes), I've had metabolic issues (yeah, I over e-lyted him - too much magnesium to calcium ratio in the e-lytes causes thumps), and I didn't even mention the trailer door.  I even thought I could just 'turn him out to pasture' until my friend had a heart to heart on the definition of Founder!  What has helped me is the support and assistance of the vets, ride management, my friends  trainers and reading A LOT.  The vets themselves have sent me their training, feeding, and e-lyting recommendations and Julie! Suhr herself even sent me an encouraging e-mail to keep me going when I wanted to quit after the thumps issue.

So going fast or going slow didn't have anything to do with the issues I've faced in the past 2 'newbie' seasons.  So from personal experience, I don't think that's the answer, but mentors - now that's the key, IMHO.

Sandy and Tally (who just 'loves' all the dressage lessons he's getting in the 'off season')


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