I’m seriously thinking about entering for the 10 mile intro CTR at the GMHA Distance Days next month, but I’ve never done one before so I have no idea what to expect.
For those of you involved with CTR, could you fill me in on how these are run and what I may encounter?
Has anyone done the Distance Days?
http://ectra.org/cms/forms The ride is an ECTRA event. Go to the link I provided and read Rider Handbook and go thru the rulebook. You should be doing the 10 miles as one loop, no mid-point hold for that distance. They will offer a novice rider briefing. Attend it and ask your questions. Plan to allow yourself extra time to get everything done. Arrive early, check in early, tack up early, etc. This way you won’t be caught short for time.
Enjoy, stick around afterwards and volunteer.
Bonnie S.
If you do Facebook, do a search for Tamarack Hill Farm – this is Denny Emerson’s page. He has been really pushing for participation in this event. He has apparently ridden it for years and years and years. He should be able to tell you a lot about it as well.
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If you do Facebook, do a search for Tamarack Hill Farm – this is Denny Emerson’s page. He has been really pushing for participation in this event. He has apparently ridden it for years and years and years. He should be able to tell you a lot about it as well.[/QUOTE]
That’s what got me thinking about it! 
I follow the Tamarack Hill Farm page on FB and Denny Emerson has been talking it up quite a bit! I’ll see if I can muster the courage to ask him some questions. 
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http://ectra.org/cms/forms The ride is an ECTRA event. Go to the link I provided and read Rider Handbook and go thru the rulebook. Bonnie S.[/QUOTE]
Thank-you for the link! I will be sure to read the handbook and browse through the rules.
You don’t need to muster any courage to post on the Tamarack Hill Page; he will be thrilled to talk about this ride. It is something near and dear to his heart and he wants everyone to just try it! I wish I lived close enough because I would love to do this with my horse, but somehow a 30+ hour trailer haul doesn’t seem like a good idea.
Post back here about all the fun you have and good luck!
GMHA events are wonderfully well organized; I think it will be a great place to do your first CTR. And of course the scenery is so pretty… Ten miles will go by in a flash.
Obviously, read the rule book of the governing organization.
Then see if you can find a local reputable experienced rider train with and then pair up with for the day. If they can explain the rules to you when you are out on the trail, they will really stick with you. You’ll understand them & won’t just have to memorize them. Good Luck!
Let me know where you are and I’ll bet we can hook you up with a mentor and some friendly faces who are planning to attend!
–Patti
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