> We will probably practice with No. Am Trail Riders before trying
> Endurance rides... What is the major differences between the two
> anyways?
Endurance rides are first to finish is the winner (except for limited
distance).
Competitive Trail rides are different. There is a set time. If you
go above or below the time, you get points taken off. The horses leave
at set intervals, rather than a shot gun start.
Then depending on which conference you are in, there are tests to be taken
during the ride - how well do you mount and how well does the horse stand
still, can you mount from the off side, how well do you go up hill, down hill,
etc. You are also judged on your camp site and how safe your trailer is.
You get points on Horsemanship and points on the horse.
NATRC does the entire trail class out on the trail. Some of the other
conferences do not do so much on the tests. The rest of the notes
apply to NATRC, as I've only done rides under their rules.
On Competitive rides, you cannot suppliment with many of the things
you can on Endurance rides.
On Competitive rides, equipment is much more strict. No leg protection
at all for the horses.
You also cannot walk with your horse, you must always be mounted for
forward progress. On endurance rides you can run with your horse.
On Competitive rides, the heart rate citeria is generally lower than
on endurance rides. And the rate is taken at a set time (NATRC), rather than
when the horse comes down (Endurance).
-- Wendy\|/ /\ -O- /**\ /|\ /****\ /\ / \ /**\ Here there be dragons / /\ / \ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\/\/\ /\ / / \ / \ / \/\/ \/ \ /\/ \/\ /\ /\/ / / \/ \ / / \/ /\ \ / \ \ / \/ / / \/ \/ \ / \ \ / / \/ \/\ \ / \ / / \ __/__/_______/___/__\___\__________________________________________________
Wendy Milner HPDesk: wendy_milner@hp4000 Training Development Engineer HP-UX: wendy@fc.hp.com Mail Stop 46 Telnet: 229-2182 3404 E. Harmony Rd. AT&T: (970) 229-2182 Fort Collins, CO, 80525 FAX: (970) 229-4292