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[RC] [RC] Newbie Questions - Nat NelsonHi Dana I'm reality new to the sport too, and have a NATRC background. I heard all kinds of rumors regarding endurance racing vs competive trail, which verred me more towards NATRC. Then my nieghbor started riding in the AERC 2 years ago. Tried as I might, I couldn't keep my quarter horse stallion sound in the front end - so volunteered to crew for her. I learned a great deal crewing from the other crews - everyone is eager to share their strategies and stories. I started doing AERC Limited Distance in November of last year. It was a two day ride of which I volunteered the first day and rode the 2nd day. I learned allot of what goes behind the scenes to put on the event, the costs and the sacrafices - I sure do apprecate the ride managers, vets, and volunteers in a whole different light! The freedom to ride your own ride at your own pace is one of the best differences between NATRC and AERC. And yes, you can ride or get off and walk your horse. Allot of riders get off and walk their horses down steep climbs and it is common for riders to dismount before a vet check and walk their horses in. The second is a very limited amount of rules in comparision of NATRC. No horsemanship judging - no judging of your horses manners (although the vets appreciate a well mannered horse at the vet checks, as do other riders around you). You can house your horse in any manner you see fit (except running lose of course ;) There are no judged obsticals or manuvers. Of course if you want to ride over an obstical or perform a manuver, not a problem - you have the freedom to do that too :) You may want to volunteer a ride before riding one to familarlize yourself to the starting process and vet check processes. If that is not possible find a ride that has a controlled start, you'll have to contact the ride manager and ask if the ride has one or not. A contolled start is where the ride manager picks someone to lead the riders out on the trail at a walk then picks up to a light jog to a certian point, and then everyone is free to exceed that pace if they choose. Durring the controlled start you can usually find a rider that is riding your desired pace and ask if it is ok to ride with them. You can also solicite for a riding mentor prior to the ride - or even ask for a mentor at the pre-ride meeting. I've found that everyone is very eager to help out!! If your horse is registered APHA then enroll him into the Ride America Program and the PAC Program. The Ride American Program you can log hours ridden and are awarded for different levels of hours ridden. The PAC Program is an outside competion program that awards credits in the same manner as points at regular shows are and there is a divsion called Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding (includes NATRC & AERC rides). Both programs are recorded on your horses permant show record. Go to this link for more information http://www.apha.com/programs/index.html Good luck and welcome. I'll have to warn you though - the AERC is an addicting sport ;) ~Nat~ Buckeye, AZ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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