Re: Judging how to "move up a level"...

[Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

Isn't that the whole idea?  It is logical to condition a horse in steps... and
only logical to start a horse at 25 miles before jumping into a 50
(competitive or endurance!).  I consider these rides part of my horse's
training and conditioning and it can only HELP him to teach him the routine of
a 25 before moving on to the 50s. (And 50s can only help him get ready for
100s!)  My horse needs to learn how to come down when he comes in, how to
relax and conserve his energy and build himself up for the final push... (not
meaning I am "pushing"... better clarify myself!  The final push as in the
final leg of the journey!).  We should not be made to feel as if we are less
important or less a part of the sport if we choose to ride 25 LD's. Part of
endurance isn't just the race but the intelligent (hopefully) care, training
and conditioning BEFORE the race... it is all those things that make us "real"
endurance riders!   I'll give ya a dime for that .02!
Maggie

Catherine Foster wrote:

> For me, the only reason I stepped up to 50's is because the 25 and 35
> mileages felt like pleasure/training rides.  So I guess I will start doing
> 100's when the 50's feel like that.  As far as my horse goes, he is in
> excellent shape, and doing really well.  Of course I wouldn't step up if I
> didn't think that he could do it as well.  Just my .02 worth.
>
> Cathy and Ty
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Lucy Chaplin Trumbull [mailto:elsie@calweb.com]
> Sent:   Wednesday, December 02, 1998 2:03 PM
> To:     Endurance list
> Subject:        Judging how to "move up a level"...
>
> Up to now, I've been hitting the "del" key for most
> of this discussion, but thought one of Maggie's comments
> was interesting:
>
> Maggie Mieske wrote:
> >
> > ...but the LDs are how I will be able to judge myself
> > and my horse's ability to go on to the next level...
>
> I don't think you need to place high on an LD ride to
> figure out whether or not you're capable of going on to
> longer rides.
>
> I did an LD ride - came in near the back (don't know where,
> but I know we left late and only passed a couple of people).
> But I was comfortable at the end, and so was my horse. So we
> went on and did a 50 miler. Travelled the same sort of speed,
> still placed at the back, still felt human at the end.
>
> I know there's lots of room for improvement for both me
> and my horse - that's why we'll travel slow for now.
>
> But the point is, I didn't need to "win" or place high on an
> LD ride to know that we were capable of going on to do longer
> rides.
>
> The idea is to "do the distance", not necessarily "do the
> distance in the shortest time possible". Only later, when
> you are confident of yourself and your horse's abilities,
> perhaps that's the time to start adding speed?
>
> I seem to think that the purpose of LDs was to whet people's
> appetites - to prove to themselves "hey, that wasn't nearly
> as bad as I though - I bet I could go on and do more". I
> don't think its aim was: "hey, once I can top-ten an
> LD, I can move up to a longer ride (but not until then)".
>
> --
> **************************************************************
> Lucy Chaplin Trumbull - elsie@calweb.com
> Repotted english person in Sacramento, CA
> http://www.calweb.com/~elsie
>
> with Mouse and Provo
> **************************************************************