ridecamp@endurance.net: help request from a newby

help request from a newby

Wolgram's (bkwranch@cmn.net)
Sun, 21 Sep 1997 18:52:03 -0600

Well, I have been reading all the wonderful questions and answers for some
time now, and, after riding CTR for two years (novice only since I just
started riding six years ago when I was 43), I think I am going to try what
has been touted here in Colo. as a good beginner ride, the Kenlyn Flat. I
am going to enter the 25 miler. So, here are my questions: 1) The
completion time is six hours. Could you give me an approximate idea of
what the actual ride time and mph might be? 2) Since I have always been
timed out, would it be wise to hang back at the starting line to avoid the
rush that I have read often occurs? 3) Do I record my own in and out at
vet stops or do I give my recording card to someone to record the time? 4)
The ride rules say that the horse must stand for final vet check within
one hour of completing the ride. How much post-ride grooming should I do
in that length of time, assuming I should complete. 5) Any and all other
"hints" for my first ride will be gratefully appreciated.
While I'm at it, if I might be so bold to comment on this "weight" thing, I
have noticed in NATRC that there seem to be just as many HWT riders' horses
who take sweepstakes horse as LWT riders' horses. I really think it
depends as much if not more on the condition of the rider and the horse and
not just the weight. I don't think it is reasonable at all to ask a horse
to carry dead weight any more than it would be reasonable to ask a rider to
lose 50 pounds or more to be able to compete. The more rules you add to a
sport or any endeavor, I think, the less enjoyable it becomes. I, for one,
would not want to compete under an organization that punished either horse
or rider. What has attracted me to AERC is the motto that to complete is
to win. Hopefully, you'll keep that as your major philosophy. Thanks for
hearing me out. Betty the "newby" from Colorado

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