To those of you that are newbies, wannabe's, lurkers, or
what ever you want to call yourself, I have read over the winter with interest
your many questions, and concerns about CTR and what to expect or what is
expected at a CTR. As you have probably noticed by now active CTR riders and
even those that don't really ride alot are varied in their opinion. With the new
season beginning to get closer I offer for your information one more list to
consider. It is certainly not a complete list of what a rider might do at a CTR
but it is a list of thin! gs I try to include in my training everytime I get on
my horse. This list includes things that my horse and I have either done or been
ask to do at almost every ride. First of all this is competitive riding, and not
just a pleasure ride. Pleasure and fun should certainly be the primary objective
of a CTR and usually is when you have trained well and your horse performs as
you have asked. CTR may not be for everyone, but I have not met very many that
didn't enjoy some part of a CTR. Keep in mind, that once you have checked in
with ride management and received your numbered vest (you are subject to be
judged by a vet or horsemanship judge the rest of the week-end until you make
your final check out on sunday. This is no big deal. If you remain alert to your
horses needs all week-end, try to be as safe as possible, and smile as often as
possible the worst thing you will experience is someone might deduct some points
from your score. And believe me the longer you participate in! CTR the more
points you will loose. BUT BIG DEAL, IT'S ONLY POINTS !!
My first ride ever, I lost 8 points for finishing the first day late
and didn't really know what they were talking about when they told me Saturday
night. I was still having fun and could still ride Sunday. I went to my second
ride ever at an out of region ride where I didn't know anyone. I slept in my
pick-up bed and had peanut butter to eat. Fortunately a sweet young gal named
Cheri Jeffcoat was parked next to me and invited me over for dinner and
introduced me to a few others. It was also another one of my QH's first ride
ever and he won our first, 5th place ribbon, I was hooked and that was 5 years
ago. Don't worry about what you don't know, just Enter, Go, and let the Points
fall where they may. Follow, do what everyone else is doing, smile, and if you
must, ASK QUESTIONS ! Now the hard part. Ha! Train before you go, and as often
as possible. Remember this is "Competitive Trail Riding"! And the philosophies
of NATRC are listed in the front of our rule book. You! should read them, there
are five. My list below is certainly not a complete list and if you and your
horse cannot perform them you will loose points, But Big Deal, Its only Points
and the primary reason you are there is Pleasure and Fun. Good Luck this season,
Just Do It, and "Come Ride With Us"
What to Do
From the Ground: Trot in Hand. Longe in Hand. Reverse
direction of Longe. Mount with horse remaining still. Dismount with horse
remaining still. Off side mount with horse remaining still. Off side
dismount with horse remaining still. Back between two objects.
(trees) Back uphill. Back around an object. (tree) Back over a
log. Side Pass. Allow Strangers to pick up their feet and rub and push all
over them. Stand calm for 10 min. (around other horses)
While
Mounted: Back between two objects. (trees) Back uphill. Back around an
object. (tree) Back over a log. Side Pass. Step over a large log, stop
and stand. (sometimes dismount and remount) Side pass over a log, both
directions. Open and Close a gate. Walk over a bridge. Stop and backup
on a bridge. Turn on the forequarters. Turn on the hindquarters. Walk
up hill. (no rushing) Walk down hill (no rushing) Stop on a Incline and !
tie a ribbon on limb. Trot for 30 minutes without stopping. Trot a figure
eight. Trot, stop when told. Trot over a log. (no breaking
stride) Canter with a designated lead. Canter, stop when told. Cross
Water. Back into Water. Go down the side of a deep revine. Go Up the
side of a deep revine. Drag a bucket or large limb. Put on and take off a
rain coat.
Condition your horse enough to maintain a pulse below 52 bpm after 10
min. rest. Hug the Judges ! Do all of the above without hesitation and you
may loose only 8 points for being late. Smile and have fun. Its only points
:)
Good Luck !
-----Original Message----- From: Sue
Singletary <ssingle@xxxxxxx> To: WertPGumby@xxxxxxx Sent: Thu, 18
May 2006 07:29:11 -0500 Subject: website or link
What is the link to the
list of obstacles that James Mc Donald made up several years ago? I need it for
MaryLou's clinic.
