Ed, If you don't mind me asking...what do you mean
by heavyweight? I know that 211 and over is the weight decided by the
AERC, but I am worried about being too much of a heavyweight. How much is
too much? I know alot of this is determined by how I ride and the type of
horse I have. I have purchased a big-boned, short-coupled horse with the
idea that he will be more able to carry my weight, but I also worry about his
ability to go the distance, so to speak. More mass to cool off and what
not. We are beginning conditioning now for next spring, in the hopes of
doing some slow 25's.
Thanks in advance,
Jen
(yes, I'm the one who just recently wrote in about
fear of riding outside the arena...apparently just GETTING OUT THERE has
eliminated most of my fear)
Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] newbie question re
time limits in endurance v. ctr
You have to look at the exact rules of the CTR
organization who's rides you attend. They probably are on the web.
The goal of the pulse check in CTR is to asses the level of fitness for final
score. Unless you have goofed, your horses pulse will be way below the
continuation pulse by the 10 minutes. Being a heavyweight, my horses
pulses were often 44-48 on hot Midwestern days. (winning lightweights
were in the 36-44 range) This was well below the 68 for continuation (probably
changed now to 64 or 60). Note that CTR rules usually do not allow the
use of water to bring pulse down. In the Midwest, some rides in extreme
conditions will allow sponging at checks. One time I got confused
and on the very hot day he did not meet 68 at the half way check. I lost
a bunch of points, ended up well out of the ribbons, and the vet had me
represent after the hold so she could make sure he had recovered and was fit
to continue.
Endurance is a completely different game.
The Pulse check is only to asses fitness to continue. Back in the dark
ages, you went into the hold and only had to demonstrate an acceptable pulse
before leaving. Now endurance uses "gate into hold". You come in,
get an in time, then have not more than 30 minutes to meet the criteria.
When you meet the criteria, the hold time starts. This is your incentive
to make sure that your horse comes down promptly. Since pulse and time
to pulse do not effect final results, you are allowed to cool a horse with
water etc. For endurance the time is one hour at the
end.
Ed
PS. Before those who do not like/do CTR
start posting about how it is bad horsemanship not to allow sponging in camp
please consider the following: If you do a CTR properly, your horse even
under high temp and humidity, will be in the 36-48 region at the 10 minute
check. The speed is lower and horses are cooled by walking a mile or so
to the check. Pace and timing are a large part of being a winning CTR
competitor.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
