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[RC] The Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race - Suzanne Avery DVMI have joined this
list a few days back to get some information on endurance riding. I must say I
have had to chuckle on a few of the comments made. This list seems to put out
some good information.
I do not really
consider myself an endurance rider although I did enter a 50 mile endurance race
many years back and have entered our yearly"local" CTR. Mostly
we do the sport of combined driving and just ride for fun. Combined driving is a
fun sport and another alternative for those that have physical
impairments like RA, Lupus or just getting up there in age. So you probably ask
why in the @#$@ is this gal joining our list. Well I have always loved riding
long distances and as a young girl with my first horse I rode from sun up to sun
set every day. Recently several people have emailed me about the Great Santa Fe
Trail Horse Race. I also saw the advertisement on RFD TV. Since then I have
pondered and pondered about this race and finally decided come September, I
will be "saddling" up for the "great adventure" an adventure of a lifetime.
I am so excited about this race but also need some expert advise on what to
wear and how to prepare.
To start here is my
first question. I am not a breecher/tight person. On the 50 mile endurance
ride I rode in jeans but that was many years ago. My legs were killing me to say
the least. Someone suggested I wear nylons under my jeans. This was a
great suggestion. So far nylons worked fine for the CTRs I attend or any
lengthy rides I go on. No more chafing or sore knees. But I am not
sure I will still be intact and be able to walk at the end of the Santa Fe ride.
Well if I make that far, no doubt I will probably lots of holes in my
nylons.
Reading about things
like the Tevis ride, I know you guys are all pretty much professionals
but are there any nonprofessional jean type folks out there and what do you ride
in? I may have to buy a pair of tights but they are so...well.. you know
"tight" :o(( I do not have the body for tights. I am also looking into
riding jeans. Has anyone ever used those? Are they just like breechers only in
jean material?
For the ride I will
be using my western saddle. My husband said I should look into an endurance
saddle but my western saddle is so comfortable, even on the long CTR
rides. I purchased the saddle many years ago and it really is part of
me. I may consider another saddle but right now I will try my western. Has
anyone ever ridden any endurance rides in western saddles. I realize they are
heavier then endurance saddles. I did use an english saddle when I rode the 50
mile endurance ride.
Lastly my plan is to
ride one horse and bring one or two spares. The horse I am riding, Willie, is
pseudo-conditioned as he has been routinely used for Combined Driving Events,
CTR, pleasure riding and as a ranch horse. He has a lot of heart, speedy
trot and is not a "tubbet". He has a lean type build as opposed to round build.
He does pant. I have been riding him 2-4 miles and trying to do this at least
every other day. The 2-4 miles consist of uphill/downhill. We walk downhill and
trot uphill. We did a 14 mile ride the other day, lets of walking. He has a
"power walk" so I think his walk is conditioning in itself. I sometimes
hitch him to the cart and do a 10 mile loop with lots of trotting. The cart
really seems to condition him also. We sometimes canter but I really like to
condition him at a trot. His extension at the trot carries great speed, I feel
that is all I need. As time goes on we will build on mileage. He is kept in a
large pasture with lots of ravines/up/downhills so he does get daily self
exercise.
To condition the
"spares", I have been ponying them and also riding them. They are not as
conditioned as Willie but I really hope to keep them in the "spare" category but
someone greater then me may have another plan.
To condition myself
I am walking, running and doing pushup/setups. I also need to loose
weight/dieting; especially if I have to enter the world of "tights"
:o((
My plan for the
Santa Fe ride is to ride about 10 miles and then get off and run with the horse
maybe one mile or so.
I appreciate all
suggestions and information you can give me.........I know, I know you are all
shaking your heads at the thought of a western saddle and jeans........yup, this
gal needs h-e-l-p.
Suzanne; who loves
the thrill of a "great adventure"
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