Sponsored/Pleasure/Charitry rides...anyone...

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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!
 
If its your first pleasure ride and you are not sure how your ponies are going to react, try to be one of the last to set off. I have found that that if you are one of the early ones and are going at a more leisurely pace, you get over taken by those who use them as training rides for endurance, or groups of kids hell bent on going as fast as they can. Aim for one that is 10-15 miles which should take around 3-4 hours at mainly walk. I have a NF too and we are going on our first pleasure ride together on Easter weekend. Also listen to you pony, he/she will let you know if they are feeling tired, and its often nice to pop off and walk for 10-15 minutes to loosen those joints up and gives their backs a wee rest if they are not used to being ridden for hours. Have fun, and hope you have a burger van to return to.
 
Check out Anglian Distance Riders or Iceni they are the main groups in our area. The next ADR ride is on March 9th at Harling Forest, they are dead friendly and if you request that you want to go round with a certain person or at a certain time they are very accomodating. I was only managing to ride 3 or 4 times a week and Tarquin managed 10k fine. Now its lighter at night I can ride more so go further this time, I'll probably do 10 miles this time.
 
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