Endurance....?

[jenbleep]

Charisma and I have been doing lots of jumping and flatwork lately, so for a change I have signed up to go on an endurance training ride tomorrow.

Me being quite naive, I just thought I'd get there, tack up and set off round a route and be done with it!

I think there is more to it though isn't there? Anyone care to explain?

Oh and I am going on my own

I think I may get lost?

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

I havent done any in England, but based on experiences in Chile and Aus:

Your class/distance should have a set starting time.
You may be requried to trot up for a vet just to show that your horse is sound to start, I don't think training rides have a vet at the end (but check).
The routes are often well marked (coloured streamers tied to bushes that you follow) some events provide a map, getting lost is hard but not impossible especially if it is foggy...=)
It is very easy to team up with some one else going roughly your pace, people are (generally) very friendly, which can help with navigation...

Enduraces generally start fast for the 1st km or 2 then settle down into a steady trot, I have found it easier to go with the bunch at first rather than trying to hold back (just end up with a worked up horse) then find my own pace.

Can't think of anything else except,
Have fun!!!

 

[jenbleep]

Yey someone replied - thank you!

That is loads of info

I am sure we will have lots of fun, I just didn't want to go into it blind! Here's me thinking it would be a walk in the park (literally!) then my friends says to me that there will be die hard endurance fans riding there even though it's a training ride

 

[Silverspring]

Unlikley to be many hard core endurance riders training mid season

they'll be out doing longer rides it if you go in March/April that the endurance folk will be using it.

You will find people there with young endurance horses and lots of people just doing it as a pleasure ride. Sure you'll meet someone on route that will be happy to chum up with you, just ask they are usually a friendly lot and if they don't want company it will be for a reason (my reason was always my horse will just race if I ride with people)

You will have to trot up at the start if it's being run by EGB, probably at the end too if it's a competitive training ride, if not then they won't check condition. It will be well marked but it's worth having a study of the map and route the night before. Know when you're changing tracks, crossing roads etc.

Oh and remember to have fun!

 

[goldypops]

Let me know how you get on!

- I'm doing my first in a few weeks time on my own too and was thinking exactly the same as you - "what do I do"