>I need to ask you, how well do your horses behave on the trail? Are you a
top ten endurance
>rider?
>
>Lynette Helgeson
>Riding and training the best breed of them all - Arabians
>
>
My horses do behave on the trail, and I expect with more
experience they will get even better. I call my first
ride "The ride from Hell", Redbud thought the first 10
miles *was* a race, and was overwhelmed with excitement.
We did complete, however, and a very experienced and
helpful person who camped beside me told me "They
figure it out with experience". My second ride was
much better, the third ride was great! Redbud rated
himself, didn't try to race anyone and was very
responsive with loopy loose reins. My first (and
so far only) ride with my mare was wonderful. She
handled the excitement much better than Redbud had,
and that ride was just wonderful for both of us. I
love the bond that forms doing this sport with your
horse - lots of saddle time and lots of individual
attention to the horses (I don't have a crew)...
Am I a top ten endurance rider? Heck no! :*) I am
just a beginner! In fact, I never will be a top
ten rider, I compete for the fun of it and don't have
the drive to want to be top ten.
The people I have met in this sport have been the
best that I've met. I have not felt "looked down
upon" because I am a novice (haven't yet done my
first 50 mile ride - that comes later this season).
At the first ride I volunteered at (got me hooked)
I had this great conversation with a lady with a
gorgeous horse - I asked all kinds of questions (I
did that all day - everyone who came through P&R
got a question from me). She was so friendly and
helpful and encouraged me to try the sport myself.
I later found out that she was Debi Gordon and the
gorgeous horse was Redman.....I suppose she could have
bowled me over with her list of accomplishments, but
instead she was just helpful and friendly.
I have been welcomed by a group of
horse lovers who also love to ride trails and camp!
I have gotten tons of good advice, and have also
learned by watching (and reading this newsgroup - I've
received a lot of advice and encouragement by some
very accomplished competitors).
Heck, I'm not even looked down upon because I
ride a gaited horse instead of an arab! ;^)
(Although we confuse the heck out of some of the
vets)!
Jude Hall
In Ohio where it is *still* raining
& Redbud and Angel (*when*, Mom, will we be able to
get in that pasture?)
>
>
>
>
>>
>
>helgeson@lansford.ndak.net
>