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Re: [RC] [RC] Limited Distance vs Competive Trail - Rosalie MarleyI started out with ECTRA, as it was the only thing around in Maryland. As others mentioned, it was a good way to learn pacing and the controlled starts were nice in that I was new to group rides as was my young horse. Later, I volunteered at a NATRAC event, and was amazed at the differences: In ECTRA, I could walk my horse during the night if I felt he needed it. In NATRAC, everyone was forbidden to mess with their horse after a certain time. In ECTRA, I could Hi-line my horse, make a little corral, tie him to the trailer or whatever worked best for us. In NATRAC, everyone _had_ to tie their horse to the trailer. In ECTRA, I don't recall any specific obstacles that were judged. And "equitation" was mostly done with hidden observers, so you never knew when you would be watched. Basically, if you only ride properly for the short distance you were watched, the horse would show problems at the ending vet check, so it behooved the riders to ride properly the entire ride. These are just a few differences, some mattered to me, some didn't. I guess my point is that not all CTR's are the same, you need to find out the rules from your particular sactioning body. Later, when I did do my first LD, I felt like I had a few more "tools" at my disposal. I didn't begin riding til I was an adult and I felt that the CTRs were a good way to gain some "horse sense" quickly. Rosalie --- Nat Nelson <circlenat@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: <<One of your best learning opportunities is to join ECTRA [www.ectra.org] and do the comptitive trail>> That depends. I've done both and in the short time I've been envolved in AERC doing limited distance rides, I've learned MUCH more than I ever did doing competitive trail! If you enjoy being judged on your every move on the trail and in camp, that excells in a structured enviroment full of rules and regulations. Well then, competive trail may be your cup of tea. Rosalie Marley Ride the Tiger! http://TigerHorseFarms.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - now with 250MB free storage. Learn more. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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