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Yesterday I went on my first training ride with Courtney Hart's Group. I
was a little nervous as we had only done a 25 and a 30 and I was worried
that we would be blown out of the water by these 50 and 100 milers
I got there at 10 am and it was already kind of hot (80+ F)Right away
Kirsten and her husband, Mike introduced themselves. Courtney said that I
needed to get another saddle as both the saddles that I have don't fit very
well - appreciated but not welcome words - I dread saddle hunting. I said
hello to the other riders, Mary and Jennifer, and we headed out. I had been
warned that I probably would not make the entire loop as it is a very hilly
(seemed postively mountainous to me) 18 miles even though the group was to
go slowly (3 hours)
Right out of the gate I realised that the fanny pack I had on was going to
drive me crazy. I attached it to the saddle only to have it drop off the
second time we trotted. I did not even notice (quickest documented case of
DIR?) Jennifer noticed (thank you, Jennifer)and I was able to retrieve my
bag. At the first water, I re-arranged the saddle pad from hell that was
determined to part company from the saddle by shimmying out the back. While
messing with this, I rearranged the heart monitor. 1/2 mile further up the
hill, Elvis was trotting like a crab, eyeing something at his heels. I
thought that he was goofing off until I realised that we were trailing my
HRM bag on the ground by one of the leads. What a Goood Booy for not
jumping off any cliffs. I stuffed the entire mess into my annoying fanny
pack, having now caused 2 unplanned stops by the group.
Not sure where we were, I asked if I should turn around only to be told
that we were past the half way point. Yeah!
We lead our horses downhill on foot, confirming that I was definitely the
weak link in the Elvis/Stasia team. I would have slipped many times and
fallen if I hadn't been holding onto Elvis' mane. He was very patient and
actually listened to my rather deperate whoas. As a thank-you/bribe I gave
him half of my cliff bar.
At the end of the ride, Courtney had cold iced teas for us and some words
of wisdom. Elvis trotted up sound at the end of the ride and was proclaimed
tired but not in trouble. He really loved the lead line circles - someone
said that he looked like he was thinking " What is this girl asking me to
do *now*" Mike was kind enough to back out my trailer for me and I drove
home and tucked the horse in with a wet
bran/electrolyte/carrot/apple/oil/vitamin mash that he dove into and wound
up with food all over his face.
Lessons learned, (Nothing earthshattering; but sometimes you need to
experience something before you really learn it)
Elvis went into this fairly fit; ie foxhunting at least 2x month and the
climb still tired him
Even a sensible connemara can get into competitiveness and rating is key
Find a saddle pad that will not move - it got to the point where I was
tempted to not use it at all because it bunched up under the saddle so badly
Attach everything really well to the saddle :)
Figure out what to do with those long leads on the HRM.
Bring treats for the horse - he was pretty happy to see that cliff bar
No dry hay for a tired horse - soak it first
Figure out a better way to carry everything!
The camelback was really great. I drank a lot but I still to carry water
bottles for the horse. Even though I had a scoop, it would be nice to pour
water on him/offer sip even when not at water
Thanks to Courtney, Mary, Kirsten, Mike and Jennifer for putting up with me!
Stasia H
Elvis the connemara
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