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The Official Newsletter of theTexas Endurance Riders Association
www.texasenduranceriders.orgwww.aerccentralregion.org
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ASSOCIATION
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Volume 12, Issue 3,Summer 2013
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In This Issue:
TERA Ride Calendar - p2
Classifieds - p3
Editor’s Musings - p3
Our First 50 - p4
Breaking Bad Riding Habits- p5
Reminiscing Through the Rides- p6-7
Central Region Championship Entry - p8-9
Mortl Challenge Entry- p10
Diary of an Endurance Horse- p11
So You Wanna Do A 100 Ehh? - p12
Trot Out - p14
2
Trail Markers is published Quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
It is distributed solely to members of the Texas Endurance Riders Association, and
is comprised of both their input and the opinion of the editor, neither of which
represent the organization’s views or official stance. Of course, if there is no input from
members, then you’re pretty much stuck with the editor’s opinions. Which don’t amount to much, really, but they can sometimes make interesting reading. Other times … well, the
term “bird cage liner” comes to mind.
Advertising rates are as follows (these are for black and white. Call or email for color rates):Full page - $80Half page - $551/4 page - $32Business Card - $22These are one time rates. Contact Todd for yearly rates.
We are also offering a classified section free to TERA members. Non-TERA members -.50¢ a word.
Deadline for the next issue isOct. 12th, 2013.
Wanna be published? Get it in!
Cover photo: John Nowell http://www.remuda.smugmug.com
2013-14 TERA Sponsored RidesUnicorn Hunt
Sept. 1, 2013DCNF, Kennard, TX
David J. Fant936-655-4048
Ride the StormOct. 5-6, 2013 Storm Ranch,
Dripping Springs, TXScott Godwin 512-659-9719
ArmadilloOct. 19, 2013
DCNF, Kennard, TXBo Parrish
Trace the TrailsNov. 9, 2013
Trace Trails, Athens, TXRobin Howze 214-244-5909
Wacky Waco WideNov. 30th - Dec. 1st, 2013
C Bar Ranch, Valley Mills, TXValerie Bixler
High Roller I & IIDec. 28-29, 2013
7IL Ranch, Cat Springs, TXDavid Reznicek
Racing Stripes I & II
February 15-16, 2014 Priefert Ranch, Mount Pleasant, TX
Khristin Seymore903-563-6639
Heart of the Hills BenefitMarch 15-16, 2014
Hill Country State Natural Area,Bandera, TXEron Howell
Shanghai TrailsMarch 29-30, 2014
Pierce Ranch, Pierce, TXCindy Kolvalchuk
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President Vickie Roden
373 Langston LnMcKinney, TX 75069
972-978-0072 [email protected]
Vice-President Donna Shiffette
2400 Yorktown #67Houtson, TX 77056
Secretary Sylvia Fant
3901 North Possum Walk Rd.Kennard, TX 75847
Treasurer Robin Howze
845 Wilson RoadWaxahachie, TX 75165
Education Director Valerie Bixler3598 CR 406
McKinney, TX 75071214-514-3618
Publicity & Awards Director
Khristin SeymorePO Box 559
Daingerfield, Texas 75638903-563-6639
Membership Director Tammy Powell9011 Latma Ct.
Houston, TX 77025832-689-3820
Ride Manager Director Debbie Linebarger
39748 Chambers RoadHempstead, TX 77445
2013 Board of Directors
Editor, Todd Hezeau7259 CR 3223 Lone Oak, TX 75453
The Editor’s Musings...
Well welcome to summer. Usually in Texas that means relatively hot weather all around but some of us have been blessed with cooler than normal temps and actually some have had some rain! Wow. And a lot of that has been in July. I also have to apologize for getting the newsletter out late as of late, no pun intended, just been extremely busy and I just waited to see who I heard from af-ter Fort Stanton since I know a lot of you go there. I must say though, even though I did not put anything on facebook about needing stuff for the newsletter, people came through with some great articles to put in this issue. So enjoy the newsletter and I will do my best to get Octobers out in a timely manner.
See you on the trail...
Safe Riding,Todd
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and pad.Free Stuff - Five boxes of Arabian horse research material, photos, articles, sale catalogs, etc. I’m done with breeding and pedigrees after 25 years,
so if someone wants it please let me know.Chris Matthews, near Emory TX, 903 474-9006
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OUR FIRST 50 – The ArmadilloBy Selena Copeland
Of all the rides we have done over the past 15 years, the most memorable one was our first 50, the Armadillo. Every year since, we have put the Armadillo on our list of rides that we plan to attend. Hank and I had completed one LD a few years before we met. My first 25 was in 1995 at the Poetry Fantasy Flight on my 20 yr old grade gelding. I was hooked after that first ride, loved the sport, the people and was really impressed with the vet, Dane Frazier, who detected a lameness on my gelding that didn’t really show up with any consistency until months later. I decided after that to buy an Arabian, get a better trailer and go again. By 1997, I’d met Hank and he helped me find and train the first Arabian I rode in endurance, Sioux Warrior. I also had purchased a new GMC, a 3 horse slant load trailer, new tack and portable corral panels. Warrior had only been ridden on the race track and in an indoor arena prior to that, so everything was new to him. He bucked, spooked at everything, bolted occasionally, was afraid of water, and would whirl and face any horse approaching him from behind no matter how fast we were going. But, he looked like his grandsire, Aladdin* and I thought he was the most beautiful horse I had ever seen. When we went to look at him, he wouldn’t stop galloping even though it was 100 degrees and he looked me in the eye and whinnied when I started to , so of course I had to have him. (Like most beginning endurance riders – I bought a fast, pretty horse that liked me.) Hank was just glad to get the shopping out of the way. I rode Warrior for 8 months on the trail. He had camped out overnight, learned to drink from streams, would kick the horse behind him instead of whirl & face them, only bucked when cantering and looked to be in pretty good condition. So, Hank and I did our first 25 in 1998 at Bluebonnet. It felt easy and the horses looked great afterwards. We decided next time we would park closer to the vet check, not eat a sandwich at the hold, and sign up for a 50. The next fall we were off to the Armadillo. The Armadillo started across a big meadow and then squeezed down into a single track trail into the Piney Woods. We decided to do a slow ride, go out towards the back and try to maintain an easy trot all day. 50 miles sounded like a really long way to ride. Bo called “Trail is Open”! and about 10 horses took off across the field and headed single file into the narrow trail on the other side. As the last horse was disappearing out of sight and the meadow was clear, my horse did an “out of the starting gate” bolt and took off full speed after them. I quickly gathered my reins, started pulling as hard as I could and yelling whoa while we went full speed into the trail with Hank galloping behind me yelling “ slow down”. I yelled back that I couldn’t and we galloped for what seemed like miles, jumping one log after another. I felt like I was on a steeplechase. The trees were whipping past a little too close for comfort when we came to a wide spot and Hank and his stallion, American Xpress, passed and blocked us. We slowed to a walk and Hank said “well that was great, now we’ll never finish”. We walked until the horses caught their breath and then picked up a slow trot. We came to a stream and both horses walked in and started drinking. Hank was in the stream where the trail crossed. I had walked down a little ways where the bank was steeper. A few minutes later 4 riders came up behind us. Warrior saw them, panicked and immediately bolted up the steepest part of the bank. The bank was over our heads and straight up and I knew if I tried to stop him we would flip over. He scrambled and finally made it over the top with his belly dragging on the edge. The other riders apologized for spooking my horse. We said it wasn’t their fault and headed on down the trail, putting some distance between us so Warrior could calm down. Next came a small round pond covered in lily pads, which I still recognize every time we ride the Armadillo. Hank’s horse had walked up to the edge, but wasn’t drinking. We stopped about a foot back from the edge and I gently squeezed with my calves and said “come on lets drink”. Warrior thought about it and then stood on his hind legs and leaped into the pond as far as he could go. Only his head was above water when we landed. He pushed off the bottom and leaped again. This time he went completely under and only my head was above water. Hank yelled “get off”! So, I baled to the side. His third leap took him to the other side and left me standing in neck deep water. I panicked and thought “Oh My God, My horse is loose in the National Forest”! so, at the top of my lungs I called “Warrior!” just like I did at home at feeding time. He turned, faced me and looked at me with wide eyes. Then he leaped back into the pond straight towards me. Hank started yelling “get out”! so I headed back to where Hank was and Warrior passed right beside me and came out the other side, next to Xpress. He fell to his knees at the edge of the pond, panting and hanging his head. He was completely covered in lily pads. Hank said again “now it’s for sure we won’t finish”. A couple had ridden up and were sitting with their mouths open. The husband said “I have never seen anything like that in my life”. The wife said “It’s his first ride”. I’m thinking well I hope I never see it again, but I just responded “It’s our first ride too”. So, we picked off all the lily pads and I rode the last part of the first loop soaking wet in a wet saddle. When we arrived in camp, Liz Wennerstrom, one of the front runners that day, whom we had met a few months before on trail, had a good laugh and loaned me dry clothes. Liz was smaller than me, but I accepted them anyway and the pants stretched to fit. It felt great to be in dry clothes again. But, when I mounted to head out on the second loop the saddle squished when I sat down. The foam padding in the seat of the saddle stayed wet the rest of the day. The next 3 loops were thankfully uneventful. We trotted through the 2nd and 3rd loops and were amazed at how well the horses were doing. We completed the ride with an 8 hour ride time and best of all, we had that great feeling of accomplishment that everyone has after finishing their first 50. The theory is that you learn from every ride. From ours, we learned that if you don’t plan to ride up front, don’t let your horse see the faster horses leave camp. We also learned that a simple snaffle bit may be perfect at home, but is useless on an ex-race horse that thinks he is in a race. Third, you should always bring a second set of riding clothes. Fourth, Warrior still had more homework to do on acceptance of horses coming up behind us. But, most of all I thanked God that I had taught my horse to come when I called him or the whole day could have had a very different outcome. We have ridden the
Armadillo for many years since then and hope to be there for many rides in the future.
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Breaking Bad Riding Habits(Taken from Horse & Rider article by Sue Copeland)
Debbie Linebarger – Ride Manager Director
Use these 17 Start Now tips to make common riding problems a thing of the past!
As ride managers we are very concerned for the safety and welfare of all horse and rider teams. We strive to make the camp area and trails safe for all however, we cannot fix every problem that you and your horse may in counter. Some of these camp and trail challenges are up to you and your hose to overcome. Following are some wonderful tips that were in a great article from Horse & Rider that may help you and your horse prepare for your next ride. 1. Look ahead – Your head is one of the heaviest parts of your body. When you look down or bend over your balance is compromised. In our sport this action is a moment by moment occurrence; it is very important to get back to a balanced ride as soon as possible.2. Don’t dummy ride – Get into your horses head and stay there! If you zone out you’ll give him control and the opportunity to turn a positive ride into a negative one. Once you mount up establish and maintain control. 3. Video your ride – Get a friend to video tapes your ride; watch for problems that you need to work on. Then work on fixes and a few weeks later do it again and watch the progress.4. Be smart – Avoid Fights – Keep small problems from turning into big ones. Do not rush a ride. Do what is necessary to get him/her focused on you and ready to work. 5. Reward don’t drill – If you ask and your horse gives, reward and move on to something new. A willing attitude can turn into an aggravated one and a potential conflict.6. Practice the two P’s – Patience and Progress – Be patience, avoid training by the clock or calendar. Instead gauge your horse’s progress and go from there. 7. Change things up – Every couple of rides change things up. The direction, the speed and intensity. The more creative you can be about keeping rides from being routine the more attentive your horse will be. 8. Ride even when you can’t – Perform ride specific exercises and visualization techniques when you can’t get to the barn. Prepare mentally for your next ride. 9. Use your brain – Avoid trying to out muscle your horse. You cannot overpower him/her. But you can out think them. Take control and own the idea if he/she pushes you to more speed maintain the speed beyond the point he/she wants and let him/her slow down when you decide. You will have made your point without a fight. Circles will also work.10. Be proactive, not reactive – If your horse locks on a spooky object, resist the urge to freeze and lock onto it also. Instead immediately turn your horse’s head and his attention away from it and urge him forward. Forward is your friend. When you are in control of horse’s feet; you are in control of his brain and he cannot obsess about something scary. 11. Drop your stirrups – Did you know that riding without stirrups not only strengthens your legs but also helps to fix poor up per body position. 12. Speaking of Stirrups – are you riding with yours to long? To short? You cannot achieve proper leg position and balance unless your stirrups are the proper length. Work on this by changing them and dropping and picking them back up.13. Think elbows – stiff elbows can cause stiff hands. If your elbows are habitually tight your hands can’t follow your horse’s mouth, meaning you cannot effectively converse with him/her through the reins. 14. Pick one thing - Have a plan when you ride; keep it simple so your horse has the best chance at success. 15. Get rhythm – If your horse is constantly speeding up and slowing down he/she is calling the shots, not you. For safety’s sake you need to get out of the habit of letting your horse pick the rhythm and speed. Find your rhythm – I sing. 16. Get it Straight – A crooked horse is an unbalanced horse. A unbalanced horse can’t perform well. Walk your horse toward a specific tree or fence post about 30 feet, keep your eyes up and feel whether they are able to maintain a straight track. Use your aids to correct if he bows or wanders. Practice this drill as a port of your warm up. 17. Slay your fear demons – Don’t be proud. Fear is a common enemy in riding and it’s a tough one to conquer. But unless you break its hold it’ll zap all the fun out of riding. Seek a trainer, read a book, talk to other horse people. Remember riding is fun and a challenge. Our sport is one of the most demanding and challenging of them all, for our horses and us. Spending time preparing yourself and your horse will provide you with a safe and successful ride for many years.
To Finish is to Win! To Finish Safely is a Big Win!
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5 Old Glory Photos courtesy: John Nowell http://www.remuda.smugmug.com
Old GloryC-Bar RanchMay 25-26
Reminiscing Through the Rides
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Reminiscing Through the Rides
Llano EstacadoAmarillo, TXJune 08-09
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AERC Central Region Championship Held in conjunction with the Indian Territory Endurance
Rides Located at Lake Carl Blackwell Stillwater, Ok
25 & 100 Mile Championships Sat. Oct. 5, 2013 50 Mile Championships Sun. Oct. 6, 2013
Concept: To bring Central Region Riders together to compete in a fun environment and for riders to experience rides from all areas of the central region. The ride will alternate each year from a southern ride to a northern ride. Qualifications: Must be a member in good standing of the American Endurance Ride Conference Central Region. 25 Mile Qualifications: 150 lifetime AERC Miles Limited Distance or Endurance Miles on rider, 150 lifetime AERC Miles Limited Distance or Endurance Miles on Horse, of the 150 lifetime AERC miles 100 Limited Distance or Endurance Miles as a team. 50 Mile Qualifications: 300 lifetime AERC Endurance Miles on Rider, 300 lifetime AERC Endurance Miles on Horse, of the 300 lifetime AERC Endurance Miles 100 miles as a team. 100 Mile Qualifications: 400 lifetime AERC Endurance Miles on Rider, 400 lifetime AERC Endurance Miles on Horse, of the 400 lifetime AERC Endurance Miles at least one 100 Mile AERC ride as a team. Awards: All entrants will receive a participation T-Shirt, Top Ten Belt Buckles, Trophies for Champion, a horse cooler for Best Condition, and a 1st Place Junior Award for each distance sponsored by the Fants. Entry Fee & Deadline: Entry Form and $25 fee must be postmarked no later than Sept. 7, 2013. A charge of $10 is non-refundable if you don’t start the ride. Rider must be officially entered in and have paid the additional fees for the Indian Territory Endurance Ride. Entry form and release forms for the Indian Territory Endurance Ride must be signed. Ride Rules/Regulations: This ride will be conducted in accordance with AERC rules and regulations, and any additional rules ride management of Indian Territory imposes. For information regarding AERC rules, contact AERC (866) 271-2372 or visit the AERC website: www.aerc.org. Please contact Susan Young ride manager of the Indian Territory Ride for any additional rules. She can be reached at 918 685-0072. Sponsors: Michael Campbell & Monica Chapman - your AERC Central Region Directors, & Mike Maul - your Director At Large from Central Region, Texas Endurance Riders Association (TERA), and Ozark Country Endurance Riders (OCER). Contact Information: Michael Campbell (254 698-1965 or [email protected] ), Monica Chapman (913 530-6913 or [email protected] ), Mike Maul (713 725-7776 or [email protected] ).
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AERC Central Region Championship Ride Entry Form Oct. 5 & 6, 2013
Rider Information: Name:_________________________________________ AERC#__________ E-Mail Address:_______________________________________________ T-Shirt Size__________
Phone #_________________________ Horse Information: 25 Mile Championship Sat. Oct. 5, 2013 Name:__________________________________________________________AERC#______ Horse Information: 50 Mile Championship Sun. Oct. 6, 2013 Name:__________________________________________________________AERC#______ Horse Information: 100 Mile Championship Sat. Oct. 5, 2013 Name:__________________________________________________________AERC#______ Fees: Circle Distance 25 Mile Championship Sat. Oct. 5, 2013 $25 50 Mile Championship Sun. Oct. 6, 2013 $25 100 Mile Championship Sat. Oct. 5, 2013 $25 Total ________ Make Check and Mail Entry to: Michael Campbell 6746 FM 2484 Salado, TX 76548 Legal Release: As a participant in the AERC Central Region Championship and the Indian Territory Endurance Ride, I agree to abide by the rules of the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), and the Indian Territory Endurance Ride. I understand that Endurance riding involves being in remote areas for extended periods of time, far from communications, transportation, and medical facilities. I understand that these areas have many natural and man-‐made hazards that ride management cannot anticipate, identify, modify, or eliminate. I understand that horses can be excitable, unpredictable, difficult to control, and that accidents can happen to anyone at any time. I assume full responsibility for my animals and myself. I will hold the ride management, all ride personal, and all property owners over whose land the ride takes place or crosses blameless for any accident, injury, or loss that might occur due to my participation in the ride and free from any liability for such loss or injury. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree with the conditions of this legal release. Medical Release: I give consent for, and will be financially responsible for, emergency medical treatment for myself if I’m unable to give informed consent. I acknowledge that I’ve read and agree with the conditions of this release: Rider Signature:____________________________________________________Date:___________ Parent Signature:___________________________________________________Date:____________ (for Juniors under 18)
Entry Must be Postmarked no later than Sept. 7, 2013
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The Mortl Challenge Entry Form We “Challenge” you as a rider to take part in the 2nd annual Mortl Challenge.
The Challenge: Complete 3 designated rides, on the same horse, any distance (excluding intro rides). You may switch distances during the challenge but must be on the same horse. Updates will be announced as the Challenge progresses!
The Rides: Ride the Storm-October 5 & 6, 2013
Armadillo –October 19, 2013
Trace the Trails- November 9, 2013
Cost: Register before the start of Ride the Storm at a cost of $40.00. If you completed Ride the Storm without pre-registering, you may sign up before the start of Armadillo for $50.00.
Prizes: A monogramed long sleeve polo shirt with your name, horse’s name, distances you rode, and the Mortl Challenge Logo. All riders who complete The Challenge will be contacted for shirt sizes and monogram specifics. There will also be some fun items given away at each ride to Mortl Challenge participants.
April Mortl was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and endurance rider. She is greatly missed by all who knew her. This challenge is held in her memory and will benefit Horsefeathers Therapeutic Center in Edgewood, Texas. Last year the Challenge dontated $1300.00!! Please support the Mortl Challenge and let’s remember April by doing what she loved to do: Ride, ride and ride some more…….
Please write clearly!
Rider’s Name: _______________________________ Horse’s Name:____________________________
Rider’s Address:_______________________________________________________________________
e-‐mail address:______________________________ _ Phone #_________________________________
Please return completed entry form with payment (check payable to Robin Howze)to:
Robin Howze
845 Wilson Rd, Waxahachie, TX 75165.
Thanks!!!
Questions: e-‐mail Robin at [email protected] or text or call 214-‐244-‐5909
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Diary of an Endurance Horse Part II Camping Out
Hey! Dan here again. Ok, so I’m confused. I did not know we would camp out before the actual ride. So this is my story of the day BEFORE the actual ride. If only some people would tell me what to expect maybe a horse could get something right. Without further adieu…..Part II
Friday8:12am - Loaded up and ready to go to my first competition. Hope this ride is not too long. I hate long trips. Are we there yet? 9:45am - Still traveling. Gotta teach this girl to drive! She set me on my nose back there a ways. Not sure what she was trying to do. She had better have been trying to miss a rabbit.11:30am- Gosh- does she have to hit EVERY bump… I gotta pee!!!12:30pm- I can hear other horses!! I think we have arrived. Yup, I can see lots and lots of trailers and horses! Man this is really cool. She better get me outa here soon though. I really really, really gotta go.12:45pm- She finally got back here to unload me. Too late though. Boy did she fuss when she opened the door and I was already doing my business! Fuss fuss fuss. She should have gotten me outa here sooner! Boy did it feel good to stretch my legs. Made sure all the other horses knew I had arrived and AGAIN got fussed at for “blowing out her eardrum.” Man is she grumpy. Next time I drive. 1:15pm - She says she is setting up camp. I can see all this nice grass but she has me tied to the trailer. Not even a hay bag to munch on. That drive made me hungry!!! Come on!1:20pm - She just walked off and left me!! Well. She seems to have forgotten, that I, Dan am an expert knot remover. Took me all of 2 minutes to get loose and start munching on grass. Went over to check on my next door neighbors but they were grumpy too and tried to kick me! Hope the other horses I see are more welcoming than them!1:25pm - While grazing peacefully everyone started shouting, and then running. I thought something was wrong, so I started running too! Then I figured out they were chasing ME! Oh boy what fun!! My owner came running at me with papers flying left and right behind her. All these people were all ready to play with me! How sweet! Course they kept hollering out “loose horse!” Like I didn’t know I was loose? It was so much fun to play tag with them. Finally let them catch me- humans are so picky if you don’t let them win……1:45pm - Finally! She has picked up all those loose papers and now has my pen set up and I can eat all this wonderful green grass. Yum! And I just HAD to test the electric fence. Yipes! What was I thinking?3:36pm - She said we are off to see the vet? Bit worried at that. Vets always mean shots and poking and prodding. If we came all this way to have shots I am SO not going to be a happy camper!!4:02pm - Whew! No shots. Just a little poking, and then they made me trot! Tried to act tired and lazy so I would not have to run, but everyone seemed to be against me and forced me into a trot. And I thought they were so sweet….Hah! But I made a new friend. His name is Josh. He says he has been doing this for years. His rider and mine chatted for along while and it looks like we will be riding together tomorrow. He told me to ignore my grumpy neighbors. He said that most of the horses were nice but sometimes you have a few “bad apples” in the bunch. Speaking of apples, I’m hungry…..5:30pm - Back at the trailer for supper. She put this…junk….in it. Tastes a bit like that glue she stuffs down my throat every now and then. I promptly dumped it on the ground, and of course she went ballistic. Shoved it all back in my bowl, and then stood and watched me eat it all. Even now I have a bad aftertaste in my mouth. Do they make horse breath mints?7:30pm - Guess she felt guilty about my supper as she came out with some really nice alfalfa and that stuff she calls beet pulp. Then she told me to eat it all because I would really “need it tomorrow.” Is that a warning? Ah, what’s the worst that can happen?10:03pm- All settled in for the night. My owner is tucked into her tent, and she left me with some nice alfalfa hay to munch on. Finally the neighboring trailer with the grumpy horses finally turned of his outside engine. Tired of hearing it putt putt putt...1:42am - Out of hay. Bored bored bored…..3:12am - Hey! The horses next door are getting fed!! I want some!! My neighs placed directly at my owner’s tent seem to do no good, so I tried stomping up and down the fence line. Still nothing. If THEY are getting FED I WANT TO BE FED!!!! 3:15am - Oh look! She forgot to turn the fence back on, at least I think it’s off….should I dash through it????3:17am - Free again! But the owners of the grumpy horses would not share their food! They laughed at me, then brought me back to my pen and turned the fence on! How could they? Can’t they see I need to eat? I’m starving to death! Life is no fair. 5:12 am - My owner is finally awake and has given me a nice feed. Though it had more of that nasty stuff in it, I was so hungry I gulped it down anyways. Josh told me yesterday to eat and drink all I could hold, so I am doing as told. Well, with the eating part anyways. Who needs that much water? I’m not a camel. 6:20am - Well here she comes with my saddle. Guess it’s about to start. Going to sign off and tell you all about it later. Assuming I live to tell about it………….TBCPart Three: THE RIDE 11
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So You Wanna Do a 100 ehh? By: Todd Hezeau
With all the talk of 100’s on Facebook and such, I was asked to write something up for this newsletter incorporating what different 100 mile riders do to prepare themselves and their mounts for the grueling event that is a 100 ride. A ride where you can be on your horse for upwards of 22 hours, riding in the early morning darkness as well as late night darkness. Being a 100 mile rider myself, I was interested in hearing what others had to say and received some very interesting responses. I have my own ways of preparing for the test that is a 100. I was hoping to hear from others but what I got was some good info. As far as my horse, of course I keep him fit but you definitely do not want to over condition them. Once my horse is in good general condition, I find that riding him once a week for anywhere from 8 to 15 miles is quite sufficient to keep them in shape and I also include swimming them in the summer as well. If your horse can get through a 50 with ease, and loo good at the end then they should have no problem doing a 100 in my opinion. I always try and get to the ride at least 2 days before the ride is scheduled to start. This gives your horse time to rehydrate, especially if the trailer ride was a long distance. As far as others getting a horse in condition or knowing when a horse can do a 100, Darolyn Butler says, “Actually it’s not a lot different than getting ready for a 50. After the horse has done 5 to 6 50’s, sometimes less depending on the age & condition of the horse when it started doing Endurance, I may attempt a 100 on them. I let the 50 and 75 mile rides serve as much of the conditioning. If you can do a multi-day or two day 50, that’s a pretty good indication that the horse can be successful at a 100 one day ride. I usually like to do a fairly serious ride around a week before the ride and depending on days on the road, and arrival at ride sight, I will normally do a light ride everyday before the ride.” Lucy Estabrook says, “Around 1990, my conditioning program started with walking my horse 5 miles down the trail, and someone would come with a trailer to pick us up. It’s “progressed” to riding weekends, 10 miles each day. “They” say you can’t do endurance conditioning just twice a week, but that’s all the time I have. I spend a year working up to trotting the entire distance, before entering a 50 mile ride. I spend the next couple years riding at the back, then mid-pack, and maybe top 20 or top 10 by the third year. One more thing. It helps to start with a perky horse with the athletic ability to finish 100 miles. Riding a horse unsuited to hundreds, dragging along, or literally dismounting and dragging him down the trail is, well, a drag. It’s exhausting. Riding a horse that willingly trots down the trail, with impulsion, alone, even after 90 miles of 100+ degree heat, is fun.” Jennifer Noblin says, “Variation of the gaits, different speeds including fartleks and different terrains are a good start, however too much training wears the horse down. Feed according to the work load, keep the weight up.” A lot of people are intimidated by riding at night. I find that night time riding is the best part of riding a 100. I love it and will condition my horses in the dark during the summer months when it’s hot and when I have a lack of daylight in the winter. I rarely if ever use a light while riding at night although I do carry one with me. I really trust my horses eyes as they can see far better than we can in the dark. Autumn Witt says about night riding, “As far as night riding, all fears are diminished as soon as the dark sets in - the horse can see very, very well in the dark - the key is to trust your horse, keep your seat; they can see great.” And Darolyn says, “I trust my horse and try to follow the ribbons/glowbars. Practice riding in the dark a lot at home. If you can pre-ride the trails that you are going to do in the dark that helps tremendously. I always carry a headlight, but seldom use it unless there is some sort of emergency on the trail. Remember, it takes 2 minutes for the horse’s night vision to re-adjust when a rider turns on his light. This is one of my pet peeves when riding at the start of a 100 miler. Riders that have big strong headlights that are flashing around make it very difficult on all the other horses.” As far keeping myself in shape and preparing for a 100, I exercise and jog. I am also a trimmer and work outside, so in the summer, I am somewhat prepared for the heat. Jennifer Noblin does her prep by “just trying and NOT getting wound up, the horse can feel it. I exercise with aerobics regularly to keep fit but also include a lot of bending and flexing, using hand weights etc. However, my first 100 had zero training or prep, it was a surprise, for me and the horse.” Darolyn “rides or trims horses daily, so I stay in pretty good riding shape. I do make sure I stay hydrated.” Autumn states “take care of yourself so you can be an active, hydrated rider to lessen the workload on your horse. Some other thoughts to consider if your contemplating your first 100, as Lucy states, “Enter and start the ride. Can’t finish if you don’t start. Don’t worry about not finishing. Just enjoy the ride. I’ve started 3 times as many hundreds as I’ve finished. Call that a pitifully lousy completion rate, nothing ventured nothing gained, overly optimistic, waste of entry fees, or miles of seeing the trail through the ears of a horse. Don’t be afraid to not complete. You have more T-shirts that you’ll wear in a life time. Time to try 100’s. Yes, you’re tired, but it’s a good tired. It’s a great feeling to complete.” Darolyn also suggests “Make sure you & your horse have done enough 50’s & possibly a 75 miler to mentally & physically prepare. Go into the ride with “no doubt” whatsoever, that you are going to finish it. Being mentally positive for you & your horse can have a great effect on your mental psych and the horse’s as well. I used to think long & hard all week long before the ride about how I was going to do and mentally charge myself. POSITIVE THOUGHTS, NOT NEGATIVE ONES.” And Autumn comments, “There is no greater feeling than completing a 100 miles on your horse - with each 100 I’ve done, I am in awe of my horse carrying me 100 miles with a great attitude and looking great at the end as well as the next day! So there you have it, some thoughts to ponder if you are thinking of doing a 100. Remember, just sending the entry form in is the
first step. Starting it is the second, after that it’s just another ride.
TEX
AS ENDURANCE RIDER
S
ASSOCIATION
TERA
5
Summer 2013
Texas Endurance Riders Association
% Tammy Powell9011 Latma Ct.Houston, TX 77025
TEX
AS ENDURANCE RIDER
S
ASSOCIATION
TERA
Trot Out
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