Those who do sponsored / fun rides - a question!

Silmarillion

Silmarillion

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As my formerly broken pony is now all fixed again (shhhh don't tell her I know she's sound, she'll go lame again! :p ) I'm thinking about doing some sponsored / fun rides. She may have to be turned away next year due to finances so I intend to make the very most of this year :)

So my question is, do you have to go with someone else? I've seen in the past that you had to be in pairs at a minimum, for safety reasons I assume, but I've had a look at a couple of schedules and they don't mention anything about it..? I can never find anyone to hack with at home so I have no-one to persuade to come along (all the people I know are "proper" competing types and wouldn't bother wasting a weekend going on a fun ride when they could be out competing :rolleyes: plus no-one hacks with us because we have a VERY slow walk) but I'm happy to go round a ride on my own if I have to. It's if I had to find a pair I'd be in trouble!

Alternatively, does anyone in the Hampshire / Wiltshire area want to meet for a sedate, non-jumping fun ride later in the summer?!
 
At the sponsored ride I went to a few weeks ago there were a couple of people who did it alone..
You could always ring up and ask the people who are holding the ride?
 
I've done several fun rides in Kent and although I have always gone with a friend, there were no rules to say that you had to ride with someone. Chances are, if you were to go alone, you would probably meet other riders along the way and possibly walk with them anyway.

You could also look at the Non Competitive Training Rides for Endurance GB - don't worry, you don't have to pound your way around at a ridiculous rate of knots :)

http://www.endurancegbsoutheast.co.uk/
http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/

The endurance rides I have attended have been extremely friendly and very well organised. You can also ask to be paired up with someone if you would prefer.

Another alternative is to join TROT and box to different rides, that way you only pay once for the whole year - don't know how many rides are in your local area, but there are lots in Kent with box parks.

http://www.tollrides.org.uk/index.html
 
I've done two fun rides and each time everyone's done it in small groups. Don't let it stop you though. Ring the organisers and see if you can go alone. The worst case scenario is that you're one of the first to set off and will have people overtaking you :)
 
The ones around here you dont have to do them in pairs or groups (Sussex). Usually everyone is grouped up and sent off in a bunch about 4-7 depending on those that arent alone with bigger groups. You make friends along the way, usually there is some one you can group up with (if you want) and they'll have a natter with you!

Have fun and good luck finding some ! xx
 
The Endurance Group in your area is the "Mid South" We hold pleasure rides both with the National rides and group rides.

We are holding a "Discover Endurance Ride" at our National Ride, which is to be held at New Park in the New Forest on June 18th

This is the web site http://www.rufus.endurancegb.co.uk/

I will be one of the vets on the pleasure rides.

Endurance is a lovely sport and very friendly too.

If you want to know more you can email me on thegentlesttouch@live.co.uk
 
Good heavens no! I've done approx 150 pleasure/fun/charity rides on my horses over the past twenty years of which around ten at a guess were with friends.
My choice - I much prefer to ride alone, I love the independence of it being just me and horse. Now I must sound like a right unsociable loser!!!
 
Excellent news :D and some good links, thanks guys.

Even though we can't dressage and jump, we can at least have fun going out to some different parties! :D
 
Go for it. I've been to few myself and its actually quite nice. You always meet someone to chat to at least for part of the ride.
 
I have gone with a friend but another lady on the yard goes on her own - we say she could ride with us if she wanted but we were too slow for her so she preferred to go on her own.

We saw a few people on their own but you would need a horse that does not get worried if other horses over take and she is left behind on her own.
 
Silmarillion you muppet! I'll always join you, the hunt one in tytherley in October time is fun, there are some jumps but not many, or I'm happy to go anywhere! Competing is out for me this year because my painting comes first (and I can't afford to be out competing on my current pittance!) but a fun ride now and again is acceptable! :)
 
Thanks for all the replies guys :)

And Mildred - we should definitely try to go to one! I think the Tytherley one has been moved to Rockbourne this year though... well I like Rockbourne too though so it may be worth it. There's one in Highclere / Kingsclere / Burghclere area in August. I wanted to do Barbury one but I'm away that weekend. I'll look them up again and try to remember to FB you! :D
 
Thanks, I had a look at Riding Diary but nothing jumped out at me - I've found a couple of ride fairly close-by though that I will have a think about! Horsey is kept just outside Salisbury, Wilts.
 
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