Prep for sponsored ride

digitalangel

digitalangel

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Going to my first one 25th Sept - dressage is normally my thing, but what the hell eh?!?

Am wondering what prep i should be doing - we are going with another very forward horse who should be able to give us a lead over the xc jumps - he hacks out nicely in all paces with this horse. He will also jump logs/etc when out, but weve never been XC schooling. We Sj on occasion and hes careful but not very schooled SJ.

Fitness wise, hes schooled 3-4 days a week for 45 mins/1 hour and hacked 1-2 days a week for 2 hours.

Hes never been Xc with me, but he is quite honest with his jumping. Ive never been XC except for pratting/schooling over some XC jumps at my old yard on another horse. Should i take him XC schooling first or should i not bother, have a lead over the jumps from the other horse and not put him over anything too difficult? The jumps are optional anyway.
 
Apart from digging out the body protector - It sounds like your ready to go! Enjoy! :D

Maybe try hacking out with 4 or more to trial the 'excitement factor' but this is always tricky to organise and might not be possible - Sounds like you have got a good lead buddy anyways - so sit back relax and pack the trailer/box! :)
 
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I'm doing my first sponsered ride on the 25th Sept too....wonder if we are doing the same one.
Don't know what to expect.
Nadia is relatively fit but it's not a long ride so will be fine for the first one. She goes like a nutter on the beach so she'll be fine.
 
We've done a few fun / sponsored rides and if you're going with someone else who knows the ropes, it should make for a fun day.

Depending on who the organisers are will depend if it's a bit of a free for all, or if you are set off at time intervals in pair / small groups.

It usually takes a couple of miles for all the 'speedy' riders to overtake and as soon as possible after the start I like to let my lad have a good canter / gallop to blow off some steam, after that we make our own pace. 99% of the time people passing will ask, so it's no problem.

You usually find that all jumps are optional, with plenty of space to ride round if they are not to your fancy and these days you won't find anything of a serious height (I have heard tales of the Badminton ride in the past, with all sorts of jumps available). There are also usually signs up to tell you where the photographers are, so you can pose to your best ability.

I really enjoy fun rides and do a few every year.

Have fun. :D
 
claireandnadia said:
I'm doing my first sponsered ride on the 25th Sept too....wonder if we are doing the same one.
Don't know what to expect.
Nadia is relatively fit but it's not a long ride so will be fine for the first one. She goes like a nutter on the beach so she'll be fine.
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going from your location i would say we are!!!! how exciting!
 
NeilM said:
We've done a few fun / sponsored rides and if you're going with someone else who knows the ropes, it should make for a fun day.

Depending on who the organisers are will depend if it's a bit of a free for all, or if you are set off at time intervals in pair / small groups.

It usually takes a couple of miles for all the 'speedy' riders to overtake and as soon as possible after the start I like to let my lad have a good canter / gallop to blow off some steam, after that we make our own pace. 99% of the time people passing will ask, so it's no problem.

You usually find that all jumps are optional, with plenty of space to ride round if they are not to your fancy and these days you won't find anything of a serious height (I have heard tales of the Badminton ride in the past, with all sorts of jumps available). There are also usually signs up to tell you where the photographers are, so you can pose to your best ability.

I really enjoy fun rides and do a few every year.

Have fun. :D
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Brilliant Neil - thanks so much - having never been before i have no idea what to expect! I dont know what he will be like with overtaking horses, but hes not strong so i should be able to hold him, its just wether he throws himself on the floor having a tanty but fingers crossed he should be fine with it and enjoy it as much as i hope to!

I imagine i shall have my eyes closed over most of the jumps haha!

Oh, what does one wear? other than the usual BP, hat,jods and boots?
 
digitalangel said:
Brilliant Neil - thanks so much - having never been before i have no idea what to expect! I dont know what he will be like with overtaking horses, but hes not strong so i should be able to hold him, its just wether he throws himself on the floor having a tanty but fingers crossed he should be fine with it and enjoy it as much as i hope to!

I imagine i shall have my eyes closed over most of the jumps haha!

Oh, what does one wear? other than the usual BP, hat,jods and boots?
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I don't wear a BP. I did on my first Fun Ride at Stockland Lovell last year and I BOILED, as it was so hot.

I wear what I would hacking out, but usually in the colours of blue and white after my beloved Scotland.

I ride a pony, so often get some odd looks, especially as he can be a little strong / fast and has been known to catch and pass 17 hh hunters, usually with me apologising profusely :eek:

To get an idea, just think of lots people setting off on a giant hack on ponies and hoses of all sizes shapes and abilities and you'll get the gist of it.

Oh and don't forget to :D
 
digitalangel said:
Going to my first one 25th Sept - dressage is normally my thing, but what the hell eh?!?

Am wondering what prep i should be doing - we are going with another very forward horse who should be able to give us a lead over the xc jumps - he hacks out nicely in all paces with this horse. He will also jump logs/etc when out, but weve never been XC schooling. We Sj on occasion and hes careful but not very schooled SJ.

Fitness wise, hes schooled 3-4 days a week for 45 mins/1 hour and hacked 1-2 days a week for 2 hours.

Hes never been Xc with me, but he is quite honest with his jumping. Ive never been XC except for pratting/schooling over some XC jumps at my old yard on another horse. Should i take him XC schooling first or should i not bother, have a lead over the jumps from the other horse and not put him over anything too difficult? The jumps are optional anyway.
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I'd just go and do it to be honest, I have gone on about 6 or 7 rides so far this year, I love them. Take a packed lunch with you or at least something to eat and a cold drink (I make up a bottle of squash and freeze it the night before and take it out of the freezer first thing in the morning - its like a slush puppy when you come to drink it). I'd put your body protector and skull cap on just in case and always carry a mobile phone with you just in case you should get into difficulties.

Be aware that sometimes quite placid horses end up a bit fidgety on these rides, as they can get quite excited but if you know your horse well it will be fine I'm sure.

I bet you will enjoy yourself so much you won't know why you were worrying in the first place xx
 
fantastic - do you actually take your food and drink with you on the horse?

My horse is ok cantering/trotting in a group of 3 - its not hugely possible to know what hes like with any more. Hes fine with other horses passing him at speed in the school too. His only issue is his spookiness really.

Really hoping we can just have a blast and get all those cobwebs out of our heads haha!
 
I do sponsored/endurance rides quite regularly and would suggest if you have any worries about horses coming up fast behind you put a red ribbon in your horses tail as this will make people back off a bit.

Make sure you carry a drink of water and if your horse gets hot tip some on their withers as well as drinking some yourself!

If you can borrow a map carrier from someone do, they are really helpful.

Wear your most comfortable hacking gear. Carry your mobile.

Don't get carried away at the start. I always walk the first mile, then walk and trot the next few and save the canters until after half way, we get overtaken a lot at the start but then catch up and overtake later....!

Jumps are always optional.

If your horse is a fussy drinker away from home start experimenting now with drinks so you can keep them hydrated. Electrolytes the night before are also good. My horse won't drink water, horse quencher or anything with electrolytes but i have recently found he will drink his water if i add a small amount of his usual endurance mix (1/2 small scoop for whole bucket of water).

Most of all enjoy and smile for the photographer!!!
 
NeilM said:
I don't wear a BP. I did on my first Fun Ride at Stockland Lovell last year and I BOILED, as it was so hot.
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DEFINATELY wear a body protector for your first fun ride.....im going to sound like a right boring old so and so here.........but i did my first fun ride this summer with my horse.....i was the only one out of our group that did.
I thought i would be fine as my horse was a nappy so and so, so thought going out in a group would be fine. I had hacked with 4 or 5 others at home with no problems, but the fun ride literally blew his brains, he went bezerk and didnt stop leaping and buking and rearing and rein snatching for 4 hours, and he wasnt particularly fit, but didnt tire at all due to the adrenaline!
I was exhausted after about 2 hours of this and came off really hard on the common and did my neck and pelvis in and the smack to the head later lead to concussion! i finished the ride but got thrown off another 2 times and trodden on on one of those......! My horses behaviour was extreme....but i would say to anyone thats doing it for the first time....make sure you have a)a body protector that fits properly. b) a mobile phone c) some water (i did it on a stinking hot day and had no water and nearly collapsed walking home)
d) GLOVES and decent ones not cheapy ones....if they get strong or keep pulling reins through your hands if you dont have decent gloves your hands will be in agony. e) Polos that way you can have a sugar hit if your tired and the rest for the horse when they have been good and worked hard for you.

I also took a folding hoofpick....just incase mine or anyone elses horse got a stone in their foot. (im a bit pedantic!!) but all of the stuff i took fitted in a little tiny over shoulder bag that i put on with the strap on under my body protector so that it wouldnt catch on anything.

All of the jumps will be optional so if you dont fancy them, just canter past them etc!

I dont want to put you off, im sure your horse will behave and you will have an amazing time.....but its better to be over cautious on your first one!

The most important thing is to enjoy yourself!

Hope you have a wonderfull time, and if you can.....take some pics!
 
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