Re: RC: hills and NATRC

[JANUSSTUDIO@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/10/00 11:01:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
horseplay@ratedg.com writes:

<< 
 Is there a NATRC rule saying that we are only to walk our horses up
 and downhill?  This lady insists that we only walk on hills and I
 thought she said it was a rule. <
It is not a rule.  However, if a judge sees you rushing up a hill, then you 
will most certainly be docked for it. <g> This is considered the 'safe' way 
to climb a steep incline.
Having said that. When I condition, I only have short and not so steep climbs 
here on the farm, therefore I trot and canter up the hills to get enough work 
load to condition. When I haul to some tougher hills to condition, then I 
practice the walk up along with some trotting.  I feel 'personally' that your 
horse should be able to go at a faster pace when asked, or slow when asked.
Now, having said that...There are times when 'I' feel he needs to rush a bit 
to make it up a slippery, steep bank, etc., to be safe.  Then if the judge 
wants to dock me, then so be it. This is the way my horse and I happened to 
feel is the best way to negotiate the obstacle at that point. It's simply a 
matter of opinion.
I try not to get so hung up on what is considered 'the NATRC' way that I  am 
not using my own judgment.
 >Now...when we are riding in groups,
 it is sort of a "take care of each other" mentality.  One goes up
 first (but she insists on walk) and then the next and so on.  We also
 provide what she calls "a landing" for the next rider.  Waiting just
 past the top or bottom of the hill and planting our horse so as to
 block the horse in front of us from running away with its rider.<

I don't see anything wrong with this. It's simply a matter of courtesy. 
Perhaps you would be happier to ride alone?  A lot of people do. I do it a 
lot, so that I can ride my own ride without getting caught up into the 
group's pace.  But it sure is a lot more fun when riding with a group of 
talkative women!

 >Now...all this stuff is new to me.  I have never ridden this way in my
 life...but I've also ridden alone most of my life.  So...I just
 figured she knew stuff I didn't.  However, the more I read from this
 list and others, the more I think that she's made up her own rules.
 Shannon
 "If the grass is always greener on the other
 side of the fence.....try watering your yard!"<

So, get a rule book and check it out yourself.  It just sounds to me like you 
don't like what she is offering.  I had an instructor once tell me, "I'm like 
a grocery store. Take what you want and leave the rest."

Jan & Rider  Reg. 5 NATRC
 
 
 
 
  >>