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[RC] Sandhills - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: Jenny Edgell jedgell@xxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== Thanks to everyone who made Sandhills another successful ride!!! We completed the 55 on Saturday in 2nd place and earned Best Condition. I will be the first to admit that our actual ride time was a bit of a surprise, but we chose our pace according to our training and goals. Unfortunately, due to the order of the loops, we spent our entire last loop passing 30 mile riders. I have competed at all ride distances, at all speeds, and on a variety of horses. All of my young horses have been nervous on their first few competitions about being passed from behind by quickly moving horses. Our strategy usually involves passing and being passed a lot during our training rides, but they still display this nervousness around new horses in new situations. I usually end up moving my horse off the trail or facing them towards oncoming traffic to lower their stress level. After a while, they do adapt. I am certainly not saying that anyone should feel the need to move their horse off a trail to be passed. Personally, I feel its the passers responsibility to locate a safe passing location, or move off the trail to go around. Sandhills in particular is mainly open trails with high visibility, so generally we passed other riders on the opposite side of the road after hollaring a ways in advance what side we were on. I did feel in one instance, a rider's horse in a group we were passing was exceedingly nervous, and I slowed to a trot before passing. Unfortunately, the lady I was riding with did not have enough warning and continued cantering on the opposite side of the road ahead of me. I apologize on her behalf if this caused any undue stress, but it actually appeared that the riders horse was more stressed by our slower presence because we were simply passing them for a longer period of time. But to end my long-windedness, I just wanted to explain from one perspective, why some horse and rider teams feel the need to continue a certain speed on wider trails while passing in certain conditions. At this ride in particular, we were passing groups approximately every half mile. Our pace was generally a canter, except the tighter sections, where we were trotting. For my horses sake, I prefer to ask him to keep the pace I request of him, unless I ask him to do otherwise. But if I allow him to slow his pace every time he encounters other horses on the trail, I feel his concentration and momentum are broken. This is not generally an issue if you are only passing groups occasionally, but with such a high frequency of passing as we encountered at the particular event, I felt it would be detrimental to constantly slow and restart him. I just wanted to give one point of view. I certainly don't think reckless passing on narrow trails is appropriate or fair. I have experienced it several times on narrower, more technical trails, even having my horse collided with by another rider. But I understand that each riders goals and momentum differ, and I try to accomodate the best I can according to the situation. Like I said, I've been the turtle and the first one in, both in 50's and limited distance. I know passing can be mentally taxing on both parties. The horse passing sometimes yearns to join the group of slower horses, and sometimes the slower horses can contain green horses that are nervous about being passed in the rear. All in all, I hope new riders aren't turned off by the variety of speeds and styles of the many riders that attend endurance. It is sort of a take it or leave it kind of group. But if you give us a chance, we'll prove that its truly the most rewarding thing you can ever experience with your horse. Thanks again to those who contiue to hold rides and allow us to have such amazing experiences with our horses. I love my horse and want the best for him. But just as much, I want as many people as possible to have the same experience with their horses. Closing note--please do not judge by a split second decision on the trail. Most of us are trying our best to be courteous and make sure everyone has the best possible experience. Just keep in mind that for the most part, we all just really love our horses and feel blessed every time we earn a completion. So lucky to have my amazing horses in my life...and my amazing endurance friends- Jenny Edgell & HRA Jamil Amhar jedgell at vt dot edu =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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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