i'm pretty new to this list, and pretty new to endurance riding too. i own a
4 year-old arab who is partially broken and who i hope to start in endurance
in a years time (do you have the same teeth-in-wear rule we do in
australia?). i also train and ride horses for other people, and have
completed my 40km (25mile?) training rides and one 80km (50mile?), with one
more 80km ride to complete as a "novice" (do you have novice and endurance
rider status over there too?), before i can really call myself an endurance
rider.
my question relates to the organisation and vetting procedures you use
overseas. the "gate-into-hold" system is pretty new to australia, and has
yet to be used in our zone, so most of the riders around here are unfamiliar
with both the way it works and the best ways to manage your horse for it.
however our state ride is going to be run under these rules, and the people
i train/ride for are thinking of entering horses. so can anyone tell me more
about this system of vetting - how it works, how you should manage your
horse differently than a usual base-camp vet check etc etc. are you allowed
strappers etc at gate-into-hold checks? how do they get there etc? basically
any information that will help us prepare for this "new" system will be
appreciated.
thanks,
nik, the list's token aussie :-)
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Nikki Ward Griffith NSW Australia
nikki@griffith.dwr.csiro.au
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