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[RC] Controlled Starts vs Uncontrolled - Nat NelsonI agree! At least based on the controlled start rides I've been on, the controlled start doesn't help newbies unless they know to hang back and start late. And that has it's own issues if the horse is aware that an entire herd has left and it's still behind.>> My first ride was a controlled start with 12 riders and I appreciated it very much. I was riding a mare I had less than 30 days. Common sense told me to ride towards back of the pack. There were a few ancy horses up front but the horses I chose to ride with were calm - so my mare remained calm. Durring the controlled pace I was able to talk to the folks around me and found someone who was going to go slow, and ask to ride with them. By time we got to the release point my mare kept pace with our riding partners and remained calm as the pack left us. My second ride I rode had 60 riders and uncontrolled start. The minute the timer gave the single the front leaders took out of camp at a full gallop. I was warming up my mare and she remained calm even with the first riders leaving, so I decided to leave with the middle pack. Every thing was going fine until folks started passing at a lope, then my mare became anxious and I literally had to get off and walk her. She calmed down once I came across a steady moving group of riders, allowing my mare to forget all the ones ahead. As a newbie I much prefered the controlled start! Which worked quite well as it gives you time to settle your horse before everyone leaves you eating dust :) Of course I will heed to Angies advice regarding large rides with controlled starts and make sure I ride towards the back - which I usually do anyways. Still lots to learn! ~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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