First time doing ACTHA [link to pictures, post #6]

[analise]

There’s an ACTHA ride in my area this weekend (there’s actually two, one on each day, but I’m just daytripping. I’m not prepared to camp with my horse yet!)

I’ve read up on the obstacles and Kieran and I have practice a lot of them here and there, plus we’ve got plenty of trail experience. Any suggestions on what to take? This is also our first trip trailering this far away from the barn on our own. (I couldn’t find anybody to go with me!)

Oh yeah, and on that note…if you show up alone do you have to ride alone or do they like…send people out in groups?

[Simbalism]

I always take some water for my horse to drink and possible washing off my horse. Of course bucket, some grooming stuff, hay/haynet, at least a small first aid kit, maybe a chair for relaxing while waiting for results. Make sure you have appropriate clothes for the day, maybe tie a jacket to your saddle. You have to be proactive because you just go out when you want. They don’t send you in groups. The last time I went to one(by myself), I actually camped. I did recognize a few people from other rides and talked to quite a few folks. It turned out that the morning of the ride, a lady I knew from the riding club I belong to showed up, so we rode together. I have been to another ride where I didn’t know anyone and rode by myself. Much more fun to have someone to talk to occasionally.

[Freebird]

I was just about to start this very same thread! My first ACTHA ride is tomorrow! I entered as a Scout, since my girl is barely 4, and I wanted to be able to go with the flow, and opt out of anything that was too much for her. I’m thankful to be going with a friend, who is a seasoned ACTHA rider, so I will be following her like a Hawk. I’m really excited!!

[analise]

So we went and it went really well! In our case, they did put people in ride-time groups, but you didn’t have to stay with the group (another rider and I rode together but we left the rest of the group behind…).

Anyway, everybody was really nice and welcoming about it being my first time doing this and Kieran did a really good job. I did remember to take hay (and put it in a small-hole haynet so he didn’t just eat all of it at once. Three flakes lasted him all day with a bit left over. I didn’t take water, but I did take buckets. I knew they were going to be at a place with campsites and water spigots so I just used one of the ones there (which was nice to let me hose Kieran off once we were done riding).

The trail was about seven miles long and hillier than I expected (it’s flatter on this end of Georgia ) but Kieran still was a champ about it.

There were six obstacles, and none of them were too crazy. The only two I thought he might have any real issue with was the turn on the haunches (we have issue with that one) and the one where there’s a “box” made out of poles and a bunch of plastic bottles and stuff in it that the horse has to walk over, stand in, and walk out of.

Our turn on the haunches was more like turn in place with me as the pivote point instead of his back end (oh well), but he was pretty much perfect for the other one so yay!

In the end, it turns out we came in first in the scout division (I was pretty surprised!) and got a nice certificate so that was neat.

Also there was a St. Patrick’s day theme so we dressed up. No picture of me (yet, they had some people taking pictures at a couple of the obstacles). But anyway, all in all, a really good time. Though I’m going to be wiped out tonight…I got up way before the crack of dawn to make sure we had plenty of time to get there!

[Freebird]

I had a great day too!!! I went to the one at The Calvin Center, and I am totally hooked. My girl is barely 4, but more likely 3, and can be pretty goofy, so I entered as Scout so I could skip an obstacle if we needed to. To my surprise though, the only one that she really couldn’t do, was the turn in forehand in the box. The other obstacles were trotting over poles, walking around a fire pit and halting by a tent, walking next to these huge wind chimes, pushing them and walking off, getting a letter out of a mail box and weaving through barrels. We got a total score of 90, but more importantly it was just such a fun day. The atmosphere is completely different then what I am used to at H/J shows. I’m not trying to bash, but it’s true. I think my next ride may be next moth, and I can’t wait!!!

[analise]

They put up pictures here: https://www.facebook.com/virginia.barber22/media_set?set=a.10203481072887897.1073741920.1245742079&type=3

I’m the one on the mostly white spotted draft horse. (we’re riding with the mostly black spotted draft horse, hah)

[Freebird]

Here’s one of our pics: https://www.facebook.com/171436546382041/photos/t.1119655844/237757709749924/?type=1&permPage=1

[equinas]

Congrats to the both of you! I’m in Georgia as well and look forward to getting self and mount in shape to do one of these rides (both very out of shape right now). Am closest to the Calvin Center and their FB page mentions having another ACTHA ride in Sept. Love that pic of your green shamrock spotted draft, lovely boy.

[Freebird]

The Calvin Center was a LOT of fun! The folks were nice, obstacles were fun, trails were pretty, and they had really awesome goody bags. Sorry analise piggy backing your thread!

[qhwpmare]

Just joined ACTHA and looking forward to my first ride in July. My boarding stable is hosting 3 rides this Summer !

[analise]

Freebird, your picture link did not work for me. And don’t worry about piggybacking!

I’ve been trying to look up what’s coming up later in the summer, too. The one at Watson Mill Bridge State Park sounds cool but it’s in like…two weeks and I don’t think I’d be ready to do it.

They’re having one at Hard Labor Creek State Park the first weekend in May, that sounds more do-able if I can get together stuff for camping.

[katyb]

Yeah, you need to change your privacy settings to allow non-friends to see pictures on facebook.

I’m glad it went so well. The horses all look happy and calm.

I don’t like the water bottles obstacle. I want my horse to avoid stepping on litter on the trail - because it is sometimes glass. I may not always see it, so I’d like her to keep that avoidance reaction in place.

[Idrivetrotters]

I agree katby, my guy has stepped on water bottles and he is pretty non reactive about it, but he raced on the harness circuit until he was 9 so he has had a long learning curve on picking up his feet and watching where his feet goes. Spending his entire life on a groomed/flat surface has made him pretty careless on where his feet goes. I want him to learn to avoid debris so this obstacle is not my favorite.

[Freebird]

Not sure if this link works?

https://www.facebook.com/171436546382041/photos/a.237370203122008.1073741848.171436546382041/237757636416598/?type=1&relevant_count=1

[KSquared]

Great photos ladies!! There were some gorgeous shots in that album OP…