BHS Challenge Ride - anyone been?

D

doodlebugg

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I'm definately keen to do a BHS challenge ride this year. Not withstanding that I currently have a fractured coccyx (back in the saddle SOON!), I should be fit enough by Summer to do one.

Has anyone been and can share their experience? Which one is best? How fit do I need to be? How fast is the pace etc etc? So many questions. Any answers would be great. I looked through old threads and there hasnt been one on this for a while.

Thanks!!
:D
 
Yes!

I've been on the Inner Mongolia ride and the Iceland ride....both required different tolerances to fitness, the heat in Mongolia for one, but for Iceland, I'd recommend sitting trot training for a few months, about 6 hours a day in the saddle to get ready for tolting! Not all of the horse ntarually tolt....and it can be a bit sore on the bum!

I got round it with one horse by rising trot, he threw a tantrum but soon got over it when he realised I wasn't gonna stop...

Both awesome trips, enjoy! :D

edit to add - we had a fab trip in Beijing at the end, the great wall, tianneman square, sunner palace and a silk factory, all for about £35 :D
 
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Sounds like I am going to have to do this for sure! I can deal with heat (famous last words) and I love the idea of the trip at the end.

Random question: what did you eat during your trips? And in Mongolia were you camping (ie do I need to be fit enough to ride all day in the heat and then pitch a tent for the night?). Seems silly to wonder about food and sleeping, but I have an unhealthy preoccupation with both. I hate being hungry and tired? Lol
I'll probably go anyway, but at least I'll be mentally prepared! :D

Thanks!
 
We were camping out on the trek, as some of the ghers weren't as 'nice' as they could have been.

LOTS of lamb, but plenty if rice and salad to eat, and in Beijing, of course we went to a couple of restaurants. :D

If you can, instead of just a camping mat, take an airbed and pump! Saves your back a little better...

The Mongolians were LOVELY people, and so were the chinese when we went to the forbidden city, some had never seen westerners who had come into the city on a day trip, and they got a couple of the blonde girls in pictures holding their kiddies! :D

Iceland is HORRENDOUSLY expensive..... :eek:

....but riding behind the herd was fab....oooo..gimmie a min, I'll get some pics....
 
Mongolia012-1.jpg

Mongolia009.jpg

Mongolia086-1.jpg

Mongolia088.jpg

...just a tiny sample so I don't get into trouble!
 
Oh wow! Looks amazeballs. Those Mongolian horses make my 16h ISH look like a giant monster! But I bet they shift!!
Thanks for posting pics - I'm getting quite excited now.
Snowdrop - come on!! Do it. What an experience!!! :D
 
Well you have both set me thinking now!!! Thanks for the pics DS it does look amazing!

As I am currently helping to organise my OH for a rather amazing trip abroad for his hobby. (He leaves a week on Wednesday for a photography trip to Antarctica!) I am beginning to yearn for a bit of an adventure myself! :D

Certainly gives me something to think about for the 3 weeks that he is away!
 
Aaah, thanks TChamp. Rode for the first time yesterday and it was ok actually. A bit achey today, but nothing a cup of tea and a rubber ring cant fix :D

So....I havent sent in my forms for the challenge ride yet. Am having a major crisis of confidence. When I sat on a horse yesterday I didnt feel like I could ride at all. And I kept panicking a bit when I thought she was going to take off (logically, HIGHLY unlikely with this mare. She's a saint which is why i was on her and not mine for my first sit). Anyway, am now worried about committing to Mongolia in August and then not feeling brave enough to go. Its a long time away but stilll......EEEK. Also I'm not like Mary King or anything so what if I cant keep up etc etc etc.
Balls.
Somebody help me!!

Maybe I am better off setting a more local goal for us to work towards.....
 
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