Re: 15 mile novice ride?

["Susan Swope-Attardi" <ParrotPlace@worldnet.att.net>]

Hi Sully,

Well, if Diane Potts has her Kentucky Diehard's this year in November, I
can't imagine a better 25 mile to start my son out on.   I just wonder if I
can hold him off until then!  I do believe, however, if we can't find a nice
12-15 mile ride that we will go ahead with a 25 miler.  He's a tough little
guy and so great with the horses.  Very involved in every aspect of the care
and upkeep, thank goodness.  He's such a joy to have around the barn.  I
guess I'm a pretty lucky mom.... sounds like you are too!   Thanks for the
advice and encouragement on getting my son started!

Susan
-----Original Message-----
From: Sullys Maze <Sully@Forsythe.Stanford.EDU>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Thursday, April 30, 1998 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: 15 mile novice ride?


>REPLY TO 04/30/98 12:38 FROM ridecamp@endurance.net: 15 mile novice ride?
>
>
>Hope someone can offer some help!  I've got an 8 year old son who is quite
>determined to try an endurance ride.  He's dedicated to "training" for it
>but I would like to see if we could find a 15 mile ride for him to get his
>feet wet.  Anyone know of such a ride in the SE, MW or even NE?  Thanks!
>
>Susan
>
>--------
>Hi Susan,
>
>My daughter did a 25 mile ride when she was 8, and her friend did
>two 50's the year she was 9.  IN my situation, I found a very fun
>and mostly flat 25, and we spent months conditioning at "endurance"
>speed.  I made sure she could both trot and canter confortably and
>in control for miles, and had her in both group situations and out
>with me.  I think we did several rides of about 18 miles, and over
>harder terrain than the ride would be.  So, when we went to the
>ride, I was pretty confident she could do the distance.  She was
>also repsponsible for watching pulse and respiration, giving mashes
>to the pony, cooling her legs, after an ride, and doing an effective
>trot-out.
>
>If you can't find a 15 mile ride, don't give up, the 25 might be a
>breeze.
>
>Karen
>
>To:  ridecamp@endurance.net
>
>