Hi everyone! I have not been able to find a solid answer with out contacting the group that organizes the ride so I figured I would ask before I tried to get ahold of someone. I am interested in doing a LD ride later this year but I really don’t have the ability to do an overnight before the ride. Do you always have to stay the night before? I am less than 45 minutes from the location so not a long haul even if I had to get up pretty early. I think my mare would do well and enjoy it but I have other animals that require twice a day care too. Thanks in advance!
I would say yes if it is an AERC endurance ride LD. The ride meetings are held the Friday night before and you don’t want to miss all that information about the trail. Also, the vet-ins are done on Friday afternoon before the ride usually.
If it is a CTR, possibly not. Most of those I have been to can do vet-in’s the morning of, and have a brief ride meeting beforehand, but still check with ride mgt.
Good luck, welcome to the sport, and have fun 
I was afraid that was going to be the answer. I would have no problem stopping by myself to hear ride info but I doubt the mare would like and hour and a half round trip for a short walk trot check. And if they do vet checks on Friday afternoon I wouldn’t be able do it anyway with work, Fridays are my busiest days until early evening. Oh well maybe I will volunteer to ride behind the riders and help cleanup trail markers. I know they are always needing volunteers.
I would generally recommend camping before /after a ride. However, I have (with a close, local ride) arrived the morning of and vetted in the morning of. I have done this with the ride managers/vets full knowledge and approval. For this particular ride, the meetings are held right before the ride.
You might try looking if there is a two-day ride in your area. You can vet in Saturday afternoon and ride Sunday. With an LD you would still have time to rest your horse before heading back home.
I’ve had the problem of needing to feed other animals or work too. Check with the ride manager. I frequently trailer in the morning of the ride, get vetted, and ride. I ask in the morning about any trail info. Also if a ride is within 45 minutes I have vetted in and gone to the meeting the night before, driven home, and come back in the morning. Often LDs have a later start which makes this workable. My horse slept and drank better at home.
No, if you are that close to the ride, you don’t HAVE to camp overnight. It is just more convenient if you do.
If you don’t camp, and you don’t want to haul your horse to vet in the day before, then you DO have to do the following:
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Some rides will allow horses to be vetted on the day of the ride just before the ride begins. Talk to the Ride Manager to see if this is possible. Many will make exceptions for those whose jobs won’t allow them to be at the ride until the day of the ride. If your ride will allow that, make sure you let the vets know (while you are there at the briefing) that you will be bringing your horse to them at the Vet In at least an hour before ride start. They will appreciate knowing that, and will be expecting you. MAKE SURE YOU THANK THEM!
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You need to be at the ride at least an hour before the start in order for your number to be recorded by the Start Timer. So if you do your vetting in, and then get your number to the Start Timer, you are set to go.
Thanks everyone!! Sounds like there might be a chance for us to go.
No, you do not have to camp overnight. I’ve seen several haul in in the morning. Just be sure you’re there in plenty of time, because people are up early for the 50 miler warming up horses, so you don’t want to be in their way.
45 min away= absolutely do not have to camp that night.
However, please be prepared to stay late after the ride. Letting your horse recover next to the trailer for hours rather than trailer right home is healthier. You’ll learn more, and you can volunteer, help and thank the ride manager, cheer for others, offer to P&R, crew for the 50s and 100 mile riders. All good.
45 min away= absolutely do not have to camp that night.
However, please be prepared to stay late after the ride. Letting your horse recover next to the trailer for hours rather than trailer right home is healthier. You’ll learn more, and you can volunteer, help and thank the ride manager, cheer for others, offer to P&R, crew for the 50s and 100 mile riders. All good.
