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[RC] competitive trail vs. CTR - Tracey SmithI am just getting started in endurance, but now entering my 3rd season of CTR (Natrc) and I love both sports but think I personally have learned so much from starting out in CTR and I would have HATED endurance if I had tried it first as I did not grow up owning horses and would not have really known how to properly care for my horse (or me for that matter).
While some of the rules of a NATRC ride might seem silly (like why some horsemanship judges want to see a squeakly clean horse after you just rode 15 or more miles in the MUD) the overall philosophies of NATRC have taught me so much and made me a much better rider. I "thought" I was a good rider when I started CTR....having someone critique my horsemanship really Amira humbled me (in a good way) and helped me learn.
To me a CTR is basically like a weekend long riding lesson and free vet checks....I have learned something significant EVERY ride. It really is about more than obstacles and having your campsite scrutinized...it is about having a safe, happy, healthy horse that is able to do what is asked of him.
Someone mentioned the vet that commented about knowing who'd done CTR by how calm their horse was for vetting and at my first endurance ride recently (Frigid Digit) the vet that vetted complimented me on how well she stood ( did not move a muscle until asked to do so) despite the fact that the horse vetting in next to us REARED! It made me so proud to tell him that we had started in CTR and my mare had learned to "mind her manners" for the vet or anyone that had to handle her.
What made me even prouder of Amira was when I had to pull (rider option...I got sick) and still needed to vet out my horse, a fellow CTR rider who was working P&R's offered to vet her for me as I could barely walk...and even thouh Amira had never been even touched by this woman she stood as still for her as she did for me and was a perfect lady for the trot out. I really think her CTR background helped her.
I also think that now that we plan to do both CTR and endurance I will have a more well rounded horse...she has learned from CTR that we don't always have to go fast...but that sometimes (at my discretion) it is okay to move out...and she enjoys both.
Jonni---> Thanks for the neat Tevis statistic...did not know such a high percentage of NATRC riders completed Tevis...but I did know I will most certainly be cheering VERY LOUDLY for any of my NATRC buddies who ride Tevis.
Tracey Smith
It is best not to swap horses while crossing the river. - Lincoln
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