[RC] Horse not fitted up - safe to do an LD? - Jennifer Fleet
Hi all,
Due to a move across the country amidst other things, I have not
competed on my gelding Shahtahr, in 1 year and 8 months. The last
thing we did was in Florida (I lived there for 2 years), a 27 mile CTR
in November of 07 (it was hot, humid, and lots of sand and we finished
great). Prior to that, he has always had a good base, competing
pretty regularly in NATRC rides and being conditioned in the hills of
Sunland, CA, where I lived for years before moving to Florida. I am
now back in CA (Fresno) as of last December.
After the one CTR in Florida, we didn't compete again. Since then,
Shahtahr has just been a pleasure horse....some weeks not ridden at all
(but always kept on a minimum of two acres of pasture), other weeks
ridden 2-3 times. Pleasure rides would vary from 3-4 miles to 10-12
miles. These were all in Florida, so no hills to speak of.
For the past seven months, we've been back in CA. I didn't ride for
almost the first three months, due to a lot of rain and also not
knowing anybody here to ride with, and just getting settled and so
forth. Starting early March, I started riding him once or twice a
week...again, rides varying from very short 3-4 milers to maybe 7-8
miles. Some hills, but not much. Nothing even resembling a serious
conditioning ride. I figured I'd wait until fall when it cooled off,
and start training again.
Shahtahr has basically had it made in the shade for the last year and a
half. LOL
So.....now I'm tempted to do the Fireworks ride in Santa Cruz, CA this
weekend....some dear friends from CA will be there that I haven't seen
in ages and I really want to go. I would just do the LD and the
daytime temp is supposed to be 68 degrees. Ride mgr said it is
rolling hills, not too steep, but a lot of them.
Am I being selfish to take Shahtahr on an LD at this point? Would he
still have any of his base left from his prior years of doing rides
consistently, or is having 1 1/2 years off, doing just very light short
rides, not enough, and I should stay home?
Any advice or opinions appreciated. I need to mail this entry, but I
keep hesitating. I've always read that most horses, if kept in
pasture and not stalled, can easily do a 25 miler if not raced. I
tend to believe that, but thought I'd ask all you wise, experienced
riders. :)
Btw, Shahtahr has been living on several hilly acres with a herd of
four others, since March 1st.
Thanks, and waiting to go to the mailbox with my entry form.....
