hello,
Just wanted to insert that my husband competed my Morgan (15.2 hh)twice
last year both 30 mile CTRs. I do all the conditioning on Star and Jeremy
basically rides once a week and then at the ride because I want miles and
can't ride both my guys at once. Jeremy outweighs me by 60 pounds. I am a
featherweight, J is a heavyweight. Star got a first on the first ride
(novice division) and a second (I think) on the second (heavyweight
division). He really did not seem to notice the weight difference.
Granted, his points may not have been quite as high as when I compete him,
but I tend to blame that on rider inexperience (at least that is what I
tell my husband).
My Arab (14.3 hh), who I also condition, carried a (barely) heavyweight
rider on a 25-mile CTR last summer (since Star and I did the 50) and won
her division. She was not quite as heavy as Jeremy and is a better rider.
Quark never seemed to mind a few extra pounds on a limited distance ride.
Of course, in endurance, this may not hold true.
Shannon Loomis and Quail Meadow Star (and Quark, the emergency back-up Arab)