CTR

[dave & abby bloxsom <cyclone@snet.net>]

So here I sat waiting for the results with everyone else (now I've got
some, thanks to MANY) - and thinking about all the complaining about
LD's.  I can't resist the opportunity to put in my 2 bits.

I'm sure lots of you seasoned endurance folk out there have discovered
what I'm about to say on your own.  I thought I might put it into my own
words.  FWIW, I'm an endurance fan & dream of the day I can get one of
my guys to that level, but for now I consider myself a perpetual
student.  I started distance riding (CTRs) as a junior in about '73, and
crossed paths with Val & Danielle years ago (Danielle was a junior then
too . . . Jr's do grow up to be distance riders!).  We were all doing
CTRs.

So here's the big reason to do CTR at the shorter distances rather than
"endurance" - and I hope this is part of the rationale behind calling
them LDs (although it doesn't address the 35-50 distances that I find to
be borderline, that's another post): 

When you do CTR your pace is set for you at a good conditioning pace.
Your horse is under very strict scrutiny as to soundness, "fitness for
work", and "suitability to proceed" both at the BEGINNING and throughout
the ride. When you complete, the horse is reevaluated.  Winning
consistently is all about being a perfectionist in your conditioning,
feeding, tack fit, etc.  These are the skills that prepare you to do the
longer distances at greater speed.  If they're not there, you will have
trouble down the road when you increase the stress.

The CTR is a superb building block for the endurance career, and newbies
who want to get ready for racing would benefit from doing some CTRs -
25, 35, 50, 100 - along the way.

I sometimes feel a bit guilty lurking on this list, when you guys are
all going so FAR and so FAST, but I figger watching & listening are how
ya learn, no?

-Abby
waiting for snow & riding bareback