newbie with lots of questions! : )

AFA@co.clark.nv.us
Mon, 06 Jan 1997 15:05 -0800 (PST)

Hi everyone! I've been quietly reading for a few weeks now and have
finally decided to jump in head first with lots of questions for all of you
kind people! I am very interested in getting involved in endurance but
know NOTHING about it. I think this is the type of riding I would be most
ideally suited to. I say this because I love to do long trail rides (2 1/2
hours plus is long to me right now but I would do longer if I had more
time available) and have participated in several organized 50 mile bicycle
rides and really enjoyed that also (yup, bicycles not horses).

Anyway, to my questions. How do I find out if my horse and myself can
physically and mentally perform as an endurance team? My horse is a
10 year old Appendix mare who has had her share of hoof problems
mainly due to poor shoeing. She is sound now but has trouble with tight
circles to the right on hard ground. My current instructor doesn't feel
she would be good for barrels or poles but she does think she could be
a good trail horse but she thinks she is too large for endurance. She is
also my first horse I have ever owned. I have just had her about 6
months now. She has been shown Western Pleasure only as far as I
know and is 15.2hh.

I don't want to get too long-winded and scare you all off so I'll wrap it up
here. : ) What advice can you offer me to get into this sport with the
right attitude. I don't want to have a bad experience with my first
attempt so I'll listen to all advice. THANKS!!

Andrea Faustina
afa@co.clark.nv.us