 |
[RC] Suzanne and the GSFHR - Kerry GreearI have been reading these questions, comments and posts with interest. Just being able to get such good/free advice from endurance riders who have ridden so many miles successfully and kept their horses happy and sound means so much to people who start this sport. I was there not so long ago, Suzanne. I just finished my 3rd year of endurance and it has been a fun, hard, wonderful journey. I wish you had more time to get ready for the Santa Fe Ride. But I think you will do fine; just based on these facts: You are willing to ask for information, you have a science background which helps process and weed out information, you are able to evaluate and reformulate. Also, you have more than one horse, and already have lots of saddle miles. I learn several things every time I ride and also weekly on this forum; growing and changing keeps us young! I also came from a trailriding and "riding the pastures" background. You are right, it is easy to put 50 miles on per day when doing this. However, if you are like I was, you do some trotting but more loping and short stetches of galloping. It was very different for me to spend so much time trotting. The saddle I used (still use on my QH), was a well-loved western saddle. I used it as well as a western Abetta (which I still use quite alot). I changed to a Specialized in 2005 because I can adjust it to fit as my horse changes in condition throughout the year, it is light and comfortable, and because it takes no time or energy for me to throw it off and put it back on at a vet check. But that would not be the first thing I would change; I would do at least one 50 in your saddle first. My friend, Dorothy Sue Phillips, did well over 1,00 miles this year in a western saddle which is heavy!!!! Her horse won BC at the 5 day Bryce Canyon Ride. I would definitely do tights, which is not something I would ever have thought I'd wear!!!! On my second ride, I saw a HW woman with thin tights you could practically see through in the butt! She told someone with her that they were her good luck tights and still protected her in the places she needed them. She had bought a fleece saddle cover instead of newer tights!!!! I thought that was a wonderful story about our sport; we get really attached to some of our stuff. It is true that you will see different styles and absolutely no sense of style on the trail. That is just not important. The sponging from a creek, learning to read your horse when they feel like they are in competition, knowing how your horse is doing minute by minute takes quite a few 50s. If you have the attitude and you can ride your horse amidst all the excitement at a completion pace you will probably do just fine and have a wonderful time. Perhaps you can condition your horses together, leapfrogging, getting them used to drinking whenever they get the chance, watching heart rates, etc. over the next couple of months and keep everyone informed of how your program is progressing! I plan to be at the Santa Fe Ride as well, as a member of one of the superteams. I hope I have the opportunity to meet you. I know there is much concern out there about this ride. But I know and believe in Ray Randall and Dean Jackson. I also know that whatever else is going on, I will concentrate on my horse. I do not want to miss out on this adventure; and I think I can be part of it while still taking good care of my horse. _________________________________________________________________ Get into the holiday spirit, chat with Santa on Messenger. http://imagine-windowslive.com/minisites/santabot/default.aspx?locale=en-us =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
|