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RE: [RC] Duck - Natalie Herman
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Well....that just sounds...wrong :P But yes, newbies (and that is horse AND
rider) can do the Duck. Hey, we can get a new slogan going...like that
Mountain Dew commercial...instead of "do the dew" extreme sports commercials,
we'll have "Do the Duck" extreme endurance commercials...we'll start with shots
from this year's third day of Schellbourne(see last picture to the right in the
latest Endurance News title article "When hte going gets tough" for
Schellbourne) and 5th day of Bryce...:P )
Actually, the rides are really not too extreme and are to die for. I started
"doing the duck" this year and am now totally hooked and just hope I can
continue to do XP rides next year too. Will start right off with Death Valley
in a few weeks and go from there (will sadly most likely miss Mojave as I can't
afford that far a drive for only a few days ride..sigh..). I felt very welcome
as a newbie, BUT ..be sure to read all the materials on his website, including
the "rider oath"...If you take good care of your horse and don't whine and
complain (ok, I had to whine a little on the snow day, but I was FROZEN! :P),
you will fit in just fine :) And it is a GREAT place to take newbie horses too,
as you can go and just ride 5, or 10, or 20 or all 50 miles a day...whatever
your horse is in "training" for and needs. These are called "Duck Miles" and no
one cares or looks down on ja for not doing all the miles every day. In fact, I
will most likely start my youngn's that way when the time comes, as they will
be in good hands at those rides. Low stress too. You can go out late and not
get into the front runner mess and even then, there hardly ever IS a "mess" as
ppl are more relaxed in general and not worried about racing. I actually wish
ALL rides were run like Duck rides. Including the vet checks. one check
somewhere halfway-ish through, one hour, tack is usually at your discretion.
Gives you more time to ride and not waste it in needless checks (don't worry,
the Duck or other vet is often randomly on the trail watching you, so you get
"trot bys" and such without them being official, but the horses are still
checked over). The rides are actualy GREAT for newbies, as there are MANY
experienced riders at his rides that are more than willing to answer any
questions you have or lend a helping hand and not worry about wether or not
that will effect where they are placing in the ride. You also learn how to take
care of your own horse and know how to evaluate it without the aid of a vetcard
(no cards at Duck rides, they actually remember each and every horse and
rider..no numbers on the horses either). You become a much better judge of your
horse. ANd the nature of multidays makes you learn fast about what works or not
on your horse...from tack to pacing to the food you feed.
Come down to Death Valley and join us in the fun!
Natalie (quacking addict and proud of it...the "real life" drugs can't EVEN
give you the same high, as finishing a 5 day XP on the same horse that is
healthy and happy at the end of those 5 days)
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a
pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly
used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... 'Wow! What a ride!' "
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