Endurance 2011...

Denzil Penwerthy

Denzil Penwerthy

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Hello, I am thinking of starting endurance riding next year and I just wondered what you all thought of it and if you have any handy training hints and advice I would be really grateful.

I currently take the boy out for 1.5 - 3 hours across the wiltshire countryside and cover all gaits, but do I need to start timing these and making him go faster?

Any help much appreciated!
 
Hiya Denzil Penwerthy

Endurance is a great sport. You are doing the right thing in getting out and about. The length of time you are out sounds good and you are mixing the paces you are doing.

Endurance GB is the main organization this is the web site.
www.endurancegb.co.uk each area have their own group and they run training rides, talks and information days.

My group is the Mid South Group and we cover Hampshire, Berkshire and parts of Oxfordshire.

If you are interested in coming to meet some of us we are having our AGM at the Guildhall in Winchester on Monday 22nd November. We are having a guest speaker. He is coming to tell us all about his trip (As part of the team) to the World Equestrian games in Kentucky.

If you want to know more and are interested in coming email me on thegentlesttouch@live.co.uk
 
I'm sure you'll love it!

There are different ride distances to suit all levels, with no pressure to be competitive if you or your horse aren't up to it.

As a newcomer to the discipline myself, I've found there are two main points to concentrate on to start:
It's not so much about speed, as pacing yourself - try to aim for an average of 9/10 kph.
Also, get your horse used to drinking whenever the opportunity arises. De-hydration can be an issue so try and get him drinking whenever a bucket is offered, molasses in the water helps with this!;)
 
Hi Denzil,

It's a very supportive, friendly sport without a lot of the backbiting & snobbery which can be ever present in many equestrian disciplines. You may lie in the Wessex group area (you can join any group you wish & if you can take up Paulines invite, you'll meet loads of new people). On the main site go to the groups map. If you lie in Wessex contact them as well, as they are local to you. You'll be amazed how much they will help you, just ask. Even things like asking for experienced company on your first ride to help you learn to judge pace.
Don't rush to go too fast as you'll be starting at novice pace (speeds increase as your qualified grade does).

I heard yesterday the south west group are doing another intro to endurance day (which was booked out last year). This covers everything you need to know, from how to trot up (horses are provided to practise with), rider fitness, horse fitness, how to prepare for your first ride, what to do on arrival, how to deal with horse/you after etc. It's a very good day. Check out the south west group page for details (google south west endurance).
 
Denzil Penwerthy said:
Hello, I am thinking of starting endurance riding next year and I just wondered what you all thought of it and if you have any handy training hints and advice I would be really grateful.

I currently take the boy out for 1.5 - 3 hours across the wiltshire countryside and cover all gaits, but do I need to start timing these and making him go faster?

Any help much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Your regime sounds fine as prep for a 17-25km Pleasure ride which is what you would start with. By the time you get near to the ride, if you can do a 2 hour hack where you are trotting on average all the way (ie any walk breaks are balanced by canter of the same distance to keep the average as a trot) then you will be well within the time.

Also useful to learn to take the heart rate as thats taken before and after the ride and you can be disqualified if it is too high. You wont have to do it at the ride, its done for you but its good to know what the starting rate is for your horse.
 
South East are holding one at Bramshill on 2nd Jan

Cotswold normally hold one in Dec, the date they have on their web site is mid week so must be wrong.

I think the South East are holding one at Tilford in Feb

Mid South are having the Silver Gambler again next year so I'm sure there will be one in Feb
 
Guys thank you so much. I have spoken to Endurance UK and they are sending me and intro pack and I am just going to concentrate on his fitness until early next year. I am a little worried how he will take to riding with a large group as he used to be part of a string ride and he used to get too worked up, any ideas on how best to deal with that? He is a trojan and just keeps going.

The water tip is a really great idea thank you Little Black Mule. I will make sure we do that from now on.

I guess I need to invest in some sort of GPS to work out speed and average speed?

Thank you all again.
 
burtie

Once we have the AGM and the new members of the committee come to the committee meeting we will know the dates.

We should know dates for other things so keep an eye on the web site.

Are you coming to the AGM on the 22nd November. It is at the Guildhall Winchester starts at 7.30pm. We are having David Yeoman, who was on the Team at the recent WEG come to give us a talk about his experiences, should be good.
 
Ohhhhh I wonder if I can do that.....my mum is moving house that weekend so I think i could be disowned....... I will look at their site though and see what they have for next year too! Thanks Pauline. Becky by the way.
 
Becky

Nice to hear you want to come and do some endurance it really is great fun.

The groups run information days too which are very good.

Had you thought about coming to our AGM you will meet others that are endurance people.


Pauline
 
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