![]() |
[RC] pulse - Margie BurtonHi Flora, I ride a big, heavy grade mare - absolutely no arab - maybe a little Welch Cob. She has done quite a few fast 50's and BC'd the last one. She has finished a number of 100's and we went to the 2001 Pan Am in Vermont for the Central Zone. Of the approximately 92 starters (mostly Arabs) we came in 38th after running with the top 20 a large part of the day. Other breeds can compete in this sport - it just takes more work to get them conditioned. This mare will probably never come in 1st in a fast 100 but she will finish. Her record is 26 starts and 25 completions. The only pull was a rider option on a 100 where I used a new saddle and caused a girth gall that I chose not to further irritate. In this type of sport, well in most sports, there is never going to be a completely level playing field no matter how many rules you impose. So much depends on the riders ability, the amount of time spent conditioning and the horse. If I wanted to do really fast 100's, planning to win as often as possible, I'd buy an arab or arab cross. But if you want to go out and have a good, fun time while still being competitive, any well-conditioned horse that you love to ride will get you there. And honestly, I don't want to split into breed divisions...I love it when my big suburban of a horse beats those cute little corvettes. There are lots of different challenges besides being first. Margie #12401 on Gypsy's Spirit =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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 Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|