Archive for It's About The Horse The Free Forum for those Doing Parelli - and a whole lot More! "Anything forced and misunderstood can never be beautiful." Xenophon (430-355 B.C.),
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Competitive Trail Riding – A Newbie’s PerspectiveThis is a GREAT article for anyone wanting to get into CTR. The first ride will have its ups and downs and you will experience frustration but it is an awesome sport that will make you and your horses better.
http://www.longridersgear.com/blo...ail-riding-a-newbies-perspective/
| Quote: | From MaryAshley McGibbon, of Texas & NATRC’s Region 4. North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) Region 4 covers trail riders in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma & Texas. Visit NATRC Region 4 on the web, and “like” the Region 4 Facebook page.
Despite years of varied and constant riding experience, being a relatively successful equine professional, and riding a trusted mount I had owned for well over a decade, there was a definite point during my first long-distance competitive trail ride where I worried I might not know anything about horses, after all. Especially my own.
My 17-year-old Appaloosa gelding, Bandit, and I were winding through pine trees on our first NATRC ride at the Horsemaster’s Benefit in Big Sandy, east Texas. I was tired from fighting my small-though-belligerent horse for the past ten miles. At home, he was a slightly mischievous but loveable “pet” on whose bare back I could lead a leisurely trail ride without blinking an eye. When we trailered to nearby parks or friends’ properties, he sometimes got a bit frisky, but always contained and behaved himself within a few minutes. Yet for some reason, after investing thousands of dollars in this new sport and preparing for months for our first competition, an utter void of communication had opened up between us.
Bandit was convinced I had dragged him in the woods to die a slow, humid death on the soft trails of Big Sandy. I was convinced that my childhood mount had been replaced with a troll. We were cantering practically in place, churning up sand and pouring sweat. I was impressed and disheartened to learn just how loudly my horse could whinny while maintaining such a speed. Not only were we falling apart at the seams, but any rider in a 5 mile radius could probably hear his fussing and hollering. We weren’t a team, so much as two wild-eyed animals glued together with some fancy synthetic tack. Children half my age on horses only a third of Bandit’s age had long ago passed us, trotting along so pleasantly and in tune, I thought I might be sick with envy. We must have looked like a borderline train wreck.
Call it a low spot if you will, but I consider it a testament to how enlightening and energizing the sport of competitive trail riding can be for a rider. The lessons I learned on that first ride, and subsequent competitions and training rides, have made me an infinitely better horse owner and riding instructor.
I came across the North American Trail Ride Conference while participating in a clinic with the Certified Horsemanship Association. Two of the ladies, including one of the clinicians, had been competitors and when they explained the format to me— lots of saddle miles, not a breakneck speed, obstacles that were lightly contrived but still challenging, interesting locations— I was convinced it was the sport for me. After finishing my instructor certification that fall, I went home and did some reading, and made a list of the gear and fitness training I would need. Every month I’d make sure I did enough miles in the saddle, and I’d purchase another piece of my endurance “kit”— a biothane breast collar one month, matching saddle and water bags the next, then an endurance saddle and stirrups and on down the line ‘til I thought I would at least look the part of a competitor. Lots of NATRC riders indulged my questions via phone or e-mail, and I am forever thankful for their advice.
I may have painted a grim photo of that first ride at the Horsemasters’ Benefit, and for at least a couple of miles, it is an accurate one. But things got better, and since the end of that day I have become very committed to this sport. My job is time-consuming— I am employed full time as the director of the Equestrian Education program for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. I manage a herd of twenty-five horses aged two through thirty-two, and I run riding lessons and retreat rides throughout the year, and summer camp riding programs during the hot months. That schedule prevents me from attending every CTR that I want to, but I have made three or four a year a priority and hope to increase that number in the years to come.
That little spotted horse, Bandit, ended up helping me win a fourth-place horsemanship ribbon on that very first ride, and went on to win his own ribbons the next ride we went to. He’s still a firecracker in competitions, even in his late teens, but the lessons we learned together in Big Sandy have carried us to more success at home and on the trail. A few dressage lessons have helped, too! We are much better at connecting our minds and finding a common purpose on trail. Judged obstacles remain a point of contention for us, but I see improvements every time we go out. As long as I’m fit and he’s sound, we will continue to ride NATRC. It is my favorite thing to do on the back of a horse.. and, like so many of us, I have tried more than a handful of disciplines and events.
And as for those lessons I learned on our first NATRC ride?
In short—
1. When approaching a judged obstacle, no matter the difficulty, you can convince yourself all you want that you’re “not nervous at all.” Your horse knows differently, and may very well react to that knowledge.
2. There’s plenty of reasons to worry about time. Don’t miss the scenery because you’re staring at your GPS and counting minutes. You’re there to enjoy a new or treasured place, and it’s a gift!
3. Rarely is it the horse’s fault. We’ve all heard that, but never is it more important to remember than in the heat of competition. My gelding may “have a screw loose,” but it is my job to find that missing piece and improve every time we go out.
4. “Stuff” is important, but it isn’t everything. I am so thankful I set aside money to invest in great tack that looks good and will last, and I advise people to look to good endurance retailers before buying any junk. That said, there are still people in old, flimsy, cheap tack who beat me every time.
5. Think before you mount. Use a log, use a tailgate, use topography. There’s never a good reason to put more stress on your horse’s back.
6. More often than not, in NATRC, even the winningest competitors are willing to offer you good advice and a kind word. Don’t be afraid to ask questions— not only will you get an answer, you very likely will get a great friend in the process who is as horse-hearted as you are. Those mentorships and friendships may be the greatest gift of competitive trail riding. |
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My first actha ride had rain, cold, and my horse was a lot like the woman in this article. We got a first in the open division, but Eclipse was insane. Hollering, gaiting in place, wild eyed and ready to bolt. That tarp obsticle on the bridge? We did it at a fox trot. I think they were wondering if I did it on purpose. Nope. My horse saw the trailer and we were heading home.
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PasoBaby_CarolU
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I did a CTR years ago and would never do another one. My suggestions to anyone wanting to get into it are:
1) go with someone who has done several before.
2) don't stress about anything but your horse. The point is to have fun, not to win.
3) look at your map often. If you go farther then 1/4 mile without a marker, turn around. You are probably off the correct trail. Don't trust the Safety Riders...they could be lost too! 
----I honestly prefer gaited group trail rides that are casual and FUN. We did an all Paso ride in 2.5 hours that took us 6 hours when we rode with poky horses. Still a beautiful ride....but missed the FUN factor.
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| PasoBaby_CarolU wrote: | I did a CTR years ago and would never do another one. My suggestions to anyone wanting to get into it are:
1) go with someone who has done several before. |
I hope you'll reconsider since you will be able to come on one with Bruiser and I now. 
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