Novice endurance?

[Ginger]

Hi there, a couple of decades ago I did a few LDs and one 50 mile ride. I really enjoyed them, but life intervened. Now I have a little Arab who might enjoy camping and hacking through the woods. We’re primarily focused on flat work and jumping (which he loves), but he also enjoys trail-riding so I was wondering if those short rides (12 or 15 miles) might be within our reach.

How are they formatted? Is there a time limit? It’s been so long since I conditioned a horse for a 25 I’m not sure how much fitness will be needed for 12-15 miles. I’m too old anymore to be wandering around the forest by myself, so conditioning needs to happen closer to home.

Advice please? thanks!

[GotMyPony]

I’m not currently active in endurance but I keep up by reading Endurance News and I know AERC has a big push for new members - main reason for doing the shorter introductory rides - plus an active “Green Bean” program for those new to the sport. I know you’re not totally new but you could go to the AERC website http://www.aerc.org, then to the Mentor Link and the Regional Mentors list, which has names and contact info. A mentor in your own region should be able to give you great info and advice, being familiar with upcoming events and their ride conditions. Good luck!

[Ginger]

Thanks, I’ll do that.

[Anlashok8]

If your horse is being ridden regularly with flatting and jumping, then one of the 12-15 mile ‘fun’ rides is absolutely doable now without any more prep work from a fitness level, assuming you ride slow and don’t race the entire time The fun rides I’ve seen have had a 5 hour (or so) time limit, which means a brisk walk pace is plenty fast enough to complete. Definitely check out the AERC site, and if you are on Facebook there is a Green Bean endurance group that is very helpful for newcomers!

[kdreger]

Why not do a 25? If you and your horse can cover 6-8 miles in a hour you can finish a 25. With a heavy work load all I could do for prep for 25’s was looping around a field for 6 miles 2-3 times a week. My mare did 785 miles in one season of 25’s and 50’s competitive and won most of them. I was never on her for more than an hour at home. When the ride season started I rode on weekends only.

[Ginger]

Thanks Anlashok8. That’s good to know. I just found out a couple of the somewhat local rides don’t have time limits for the short rides, or perhaps very generous ones, so I can just treat this like a longer trail ride and include a bit more trot. And no worries about racing - I’m an old lady on a fat pony.

Kdreger, we may do LDs at some point, but for now, I want to keep it light and easy for both of us. If my pony tells me he loves it, I’ll figure out how to make it all work. If he hates it, we’ll stick to jumping. But it’s good to know I can build some base on shorter rides around the farm. And congrats on your mileage and accomplishments!!

This is great. I’m excited! I’m really looking forward to dipping my toe back into the distance riding waters.

[wendybird]

Ginger - go for it! I did my first competitive ride (25miles) at 69 on my young arab. As long as you take your time and finish within the allowed time and the vet says ok, you’re fine.
I only did 50’s max and now 25s 10 years later. Thing is, it keeps me fit, and active and interested. It’s all too easy to sit down and not get up when you’re older, lol.

[SharonA]

Well, you have to ask your horse. I took my senior Arab for an introductory CTR one Spring. The weather hadn’t permitted any conditioning other than what you could still bring yourself to do in an indoor after a long winter, and horse was in very light work. Horse had never been to a competitive trail ride before. I had never been to a competitive trail ride before. I don’t know who spilled the beans, but she KNEW what was going on from the moment we got ready for our start signal. She was a rock star. I remember one of the judges at the half-way point looking at horse, as horse, uh, expressed her impatience with the mandatory check, and saying admiringly, “She’s in her element, isn’t she?” She was tired afterward, but she was, again, nowhere near fit.

It made me alittle sad that I hadn’t tried these earlier, as horse just loved it so much, but now she is getting on a bit and I can’t keep her in the shape she’d need to be, to be comfortable with anything other than the introductory CTR, which had a forgiving time allowance. We trail ride all the time, but there was something about the CTR atmosphere that just brought out the x factor in my horse.

[Ginger]

wendybird, you inspire me. This getting old is not for wimps, is it. I think 50s are out of my league anymore but if the stars align I hope to move to 25s.

sharon, I know what you mean. I’ve had horses for many years, they have taught me the wisdom to listen and respect their preferences. It’s certainly my hope that pony will enjoy it - I do know he loves to trail ride - but the chaos of ride camp may worry him. This is why I want to start very slow and easy.

Thanks for responding.

[wendybird]

Hey Ginger - I’m lucky that I have good health and a mare that looks after me!
Sure you and your pony will be tired at the end, but you’ll be ok in a day or two.
Do a few 15 milers and then step up when you’re ready. It will seem like a huge challenge, but you’ll be surprised at how well you do it!
Enjoy the ride!