Re: Judging how to "move up a level"...

[Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

I certainly did not mean to imply that I "judge" my horse's ability on
his placings... please understand I never expected to place in any of
the rides I rode in this year and all of my placings were a surprise for
me... as I said, I let Jonathan "ride the ride"... I let him set the
pace and sometimes ask him for a little more if he's lollygagging along
but I also will hold him back to a certain extent if I feel it's
necessary.  These rides give me something to go on... recovery times,
fitness level, finishing times, etc. that will help me make the decision
if we're ready to go that extra 25 miles... a 50 is twice as long and if
riding the 25 LDs helps me prepare myself and my horse to compete AND
complete in a 50, then I will go for it... perhaps LDs do whet people's
appetites but I think that is the great part about CTRs or endurance
rides.... it's you and your horse!!!  "To finish IS to win!"  I placed
dead last on my first 50 and was pleased as punch... I also knew that I
needed to do some more 25 LD before we go on to 50's next year.  For
BOTH of us (well, maybe more for me!).  That is what I meant by judging
and BTW, you can only top SIX a horse in LD (or at least that is how it
is here in Michigan) and  I am still pickled pink if we place in the top
six or ten of any ride!  Can't rain on my parade!!
Maggie

Lucy Chaplin Trumbull wrote:

> Up to now, I've been hitting the "del" key for most
> of this discussion, but thought one of Maggie's comments
> was interesting:
>
> Maggie Mieske wrote:
> >
> > ...but the LDs are how I will be able to judge myself
> > and my horse's ability to go on to the next level...
>
> I don't think you need to place high on an LD ride to
> figure out whether or not you're capable of going on to
> longer rides.
>
> I did an LD ride - came in near the back (don't know where,
> but I know we left late and only passed a couple of people).
> But I was comfortable at the end, and so was my horse. So we
> went on and did a 50 miler. Travelled the same sort of speed,
> still placed at the back, still felt human at the end.
>
> I know there's lots of room for improvement for both me
> and my horse - that's why we'll travel slow for now.
>
> But the point is, I didn't need to "win" or place high on an
> LD ride to know that we were capable of going on to do longer
> rides.
>
> The idea is to "do the distance", not necessarily "do the
> distance in the shortest time possible". Only later, when
> you are confident of yourself and your horse's abilities,
> perhaps that's the time to start adding speed?
>
> I seem to think that the purpose of LDs was to whet people's
> appetites - to prove to themselves "hey, that wasn't nearly
> as bad as I though - I bet I could go on and do more". I
> don't think its aim was: "hey, once I can top-ten an
> LD, I can move up to a longer ride (but not until then)".
>
> --
> **************************************************************
> Lucy Chaplin Trumbull - elsie@calweb.com
> Repotted english person in Sacramento, CA
> http://www.calweb.com/~elsie
>
> with Mouse and Provo
> **************************************************************