Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Ready for 55? (long)

Hey Pat!

The reason I replied to April's post as I did is because about every 6
months this comes up (I was the one to bring it up last fall), and at least
one person (usually more) with 1000's of miles to their credit says "go for
it!" For all the lurking newbies out there, I just want to point out some
options (back-to-back LD's) and things to consider (tack and management
issues that don't pop up until mileage or speed are increased).

The more exposure I have to people with 1000's of miles to their credit, the
more often I find myself saying that they've lost their perspective!

Yes indeed, there is more than one way to get there. I prefer the cautious
approach. In my case, my horse is oh-so-willing to run herself into the
ground that I have to save her from herself. I see quite a few horses out
there like that. To April's credit, she seems to have found an easy first 50
(55) and is willing to RO if it's not meant to be. April has obviously
thought this through.

You also seem to be moving away from the advice you gave April in an earlier
post in reference to her concern about the 4-5 mph speed she had calculated.
Earlier you seemed to be saying, "take it easy, what's the rush?" Now you
seem to be saying "keep it steady and you won't be out there all day".

Viva la difference!

Deanna


on 10/30/02 6:59 AM, superpat at superpat@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> 
> hello Deanna,
> I guess you letter proves to me again that there is more than one way to get
> to one's destination. And not one way is the best for everyone.
> I would like to point out that there are many successful endurance riders
> who have never done a LD ride. Some people have told me that they want their
> horse to think in terms of being out there for the distance so start with
> long slow (slow) steady rides. My first ride was a 25 miler at Headwaters
> (not an easy one) because my horse was only 4. He turned five soon
> thereafter and we entered 50's from then on.
> Riding a steady pace will generally get one into camp a lot sooner than the
> jack rabbit who may trot, walk, canter, trot, etc.
> Steady does not necessarily equate with slow or being in the saddle all day.
> I think that the very best way to approach a training regimen is to find an
> experienced endurance rider/s  (successful) and ride with them on training
> rides. If there is a club near you, that is even better. It is amazing what
> one will learn including, trail and race etiquette, strategy, pace, after
> ride care protocol, etc. My mentor was and is one of the best endurance
> competitors that I know and I learned so much from her. I wish all new
> riders could be so fortunate.
> The bottom line is that you are out there learning, experimenting and having
> fun and caring for your horse. Best to you....
> Pat


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=