[RC] New in CO, first ride questions - Willowmere Farm Arabians
Hello, Everyone :-)
I've been lurking for a few weeks, learning a lot,
and believe I have found a great place for information and friendly people. I'm
excited to be a part of something that so many people find enjoyable, and I'm
looking forward to trying something new with my horse!
I'm 34 and live in Colorado, about an hour from
Denver, and I'm getting ready to start my first endurance ride next
Saturday. (Actually, a 25 mild LD) I've never done this before, but my
horse has done several endurance rides before I bought her. (She even got BC on
one of her rides!) I'm a jumper rider who also does a bit of eventing and
dressage, but I thought that my horse might like this since she has done it
before and seemed to be decent at it. She's a 9 year old Arabian mare, around
14.3 hands (I think she's a tad taller, a friend thinks she would qualify for a
pony card, and I don't have a measuring stick!). Since everyone has been talking
about height, I'm 5'2" 1/2" :-)
I have 2 endurance books that I have been reading,
and I've downloaded and read the AERC's Rider's Handbook from the Newbie page.
I've learned a lot, but feel I know nothing still, and I'm sure that will prove
to be very true at my first ride!
Some of the questions that I have are, do I need to
be giving electrolytes on my ride, and if so, what kind is the best, how does
one pack it with them (or does my husband "crew" pack it with him and meet me at
the vet area?), how often do I give it, and can you make your own mix that is
still effective?
Another question I have is about packs that I'll
need. What should I bring with me on my ride, how do I pack it, and what kind of
packs are best? I'll be riding in an english saddle (Stubben Sigfried), and
being a jumper rider, I've never had to pack anything before. :-) I'm trying to
keep in mind that this is "only" a 25 mile ride, but at the same time, I don't
know what that means since I've never done it before. I am smart enough to
realize that anything could happen during a ride, short or long, and I want to
be smart, rather than cocky. I have a feeling that this is something that we'll
both enjoy, and I would like to get what I'll need, but start with the
essentials due to money and time. (Both of which I am short of!) Karen's
crewbag and saddlebag pages on the Newbie site are awesome! Will I need most or
all of those things for my first LD ride?
The last question (for the moment!) deals with rump
rugs. What are the best kind to get, where does one get them, and what should I
expect to pay? I've seen a variety of different kinds advertised, but I would
like to get the most beneficial if I'm going to get one. Will I need one for
this ride? I have a polarfleece/wool/acrylic quarter sheet, but that is
currently the closest thing that I have to a rump rug.
The ride organizer has been very friendly and
helpful and has assured me that the trail is great for a beginner at this sport.
He also assured me that I won't find anything too challenging or tough, that
there is cell coverage throughout the trail in case of emergency, and it should
be nice and easy for my "crew" (my husband!) too. I don't know how many of you
are in Colorado or may be at the ride, but it is the Colorado Horse Park
Challenge ( http://www.horseparkchallenge.bravepages.com ),
and it sounds like it will be a blast for my first time.
:)
Any other ideas or helpful hints, or if anyone
would be going that wouldn't mind helping out somebody new, I would welcome
anything that you can offer. I may be kind of dumb about all of this stuff, but
my husband is luckily one of those Cabelas type guys, is up on the latest
clothing for being out in the elements, etc. and can help me in that
department.
I'm hoping that the new bridle/breastcollar/etc
that I've ordered will be in by my ride, but I plan on bringing our regular tack
too, since that is what she is used to. I'd just rather not ruin expensive
bridles if I can avoid it, should we end up getting soaked in a downpour, etc.
:-)
It sounds like I will learn a lot at the ride
meeting next Friday evening too, but I figure the better I can prepare myself,
the better off I'll be. I would like to be as competitive as I can in this
ride, but not at the cost of my horse. I figure if we finish the ride and aren't
disqualified at any of the vet points, then we've won. There will be time enough
later for her to "win" if we stick with this. I love Musik with all of my heart,
and we're just finally coming to an agreement about our relationship. She's been
a very difficult horse to get to know, and I can't tell you how exciting it is
for me to walk out the backdoor and hear her whinny for me, after having had her
for about 2 years now. Woohoo! Progress! :-)
Thanks in advance, and I welcome all
comments/suggestions!
Shawnee Urano
________________________ Shawnee & David
Urano Willowmere Farm Arabians - Arabian Sport Horses (970) 330-3982
home (970) 381-3365 cell galahadd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
