Sure, there are riders that will take a horse that has
done few or no 50s in a 100 mile ride, but they have done their conditioning
and training with that goal in mind. They are training for 100 and then they do
it. Sort of like the riders who skip LD and go directly to
50s. If that’s what you’ve conditioned for, then your horse
should be ready. However, the
riders I’ve heard of that did this are themselves experienced in the 100
mile distances. I’m sure that makes a difference in that they know how to
condition for the 100 and they know if the horse is ready, so it’s not a
guessing game for them. If your mare has already done 4 years of competition,
she may well be ready for a 100 after a couple more 50s, and if you throw in
that 75, you’ll really have a good idea of her fitness level.
Kathy
Have a 9 y.o. mare. She's completed 2
50's many many miles of tough LD's and CTR. Doing a
50 this weekend and then either a 50 or 75 next month. Contemplating
trying the OD 100.
I've read from many folks that is speed that will hurt the horse and not the distance.
I know of many people that barely do any
50's in preparation of a 100. John crandell's horse
that was at a 100 this winter only completed 1 50 before his first 100 and
heraldic 3 50's before Tevis.
This will be her 4th year in
competition. Just completed a really hot and tough 30-35 mile CTR with only 30
minutes at 1/2 way hold. Ride time was around 5 hrs. I think. Just about
every horse was overtime. The last 5 miles she zoomed. She finally woke
up! I think she'll do great on the longer distances. I know all horses are
different just trying to get some more opinions.
