Sponsor/Charity/Pleasure Rides...

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DreamerII

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...while out hacking yesturday YO mentioned that it'd be nice for me and her to be able to go on sponsor/charity/pleasure rides with out ponies (we both have NFs). Her pony is a bit green and fairly spooky (rearing and so forth) whereas Dreamer is usually fine with hacking out and as he is getting fitter he is also getting better at longer distances!

So just wanted some advice really on where to start as I've never done ANY sponsor/charity/pleasure rides before!

I try to tride at least 5 days a week, some days schooling (flat/jumping) and others hacking, and have been doing so a lot recently. Have had Dreamer on loan since November and I can tell he is getting fitter! YO doesn't ride her mare much but I think is going to start riding her more now, especially when I hack out I think she's gonna try hack out with me more!

Anyhow....just basically any tips from people that have done these kind of rides before really!

How fit do we need to be before we can go?
Should I go with someone else on a quieter pony to start with (poss YO could ride one of the other ponies we have)?
Are there any special things I need to consider?

Or anything else really! I can answer more questions on background etc if needs be!
 
I have done loads... they are great fun!!

We were the slowest round Windsor Great Park once because I was riding a VERY green and VERY spooky new horse and we did the whole thing at walk... he he, they were packing away the course behind us... **sniggers**

They are good for all levels really, because you can go as fast or as slow as you like and usually choose if you want to jump or not and have a choice of heights of fences... the only thing is you do get inconsiderate riders that bomb pass you! Its what triggered the young horse off at the start of Windsor and why I decided to walk the course and keep it as calm as experience as possible... if I catch someone up I always slow down and ask if its alright to come past and do everything I can to be considerate of their horse (I have had to make my apologies to some a couple of times when riding my big boy though, because his brakes could get defective
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especially the time he broke his curb chain and there was no stopping the tank
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)
 
Try to go at the very end - be one of the last to leave, that way you don't have people coming up behind you, and streaking off in front. Both of which will upset a novice pony.

If you can, go with a calm companion. You can have long trots and canters, but don't gallop from start to finish (you will exhaust your pony if you do, as well as turning him into a nutcase).

As to fitness, they don't have to be mega fit. If you are going for 2 hour hacks at a resonable speed, doing a few canters, etc. They will be fine. It isn't a race, it is a pleasure. You just pay your money and set off at what every pace you like. Actually a horse doesn't have to be very fit to walk a long way. What needs fitness is a higher pace, but it is very wearing for the rider to walk all the way! Some rides want everyone back by a certain time to prevent too slow progress.

Do a mixture of walk, trot and canter. If the pony seems a bit excited to start with, when they have loosened up a bit, have a nice long, steady trot - that should calm them down.

I have used this method of going last with a couple of horses and it has worked very well.
 
They are great fun, we do loads over the summer.
You can go at your own pace (so suit the fitness of your pony) and all jumps are optional. Its a good idea to be polite (ask before passing anyone). Maybe choose a ride that doesn't get a lot of entrys to start with, our local hunt rides are very crowded but the ones organised by our local bridleway aren't.
Have fun !
 
and don't forget that Endurance GB organise a lot of pleasure rides in conjunction with their Endurance Rides. Take a look at their web site.
 
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