I took Tissy to the Avon Valley pleasure ride and we had a wonderful time. Pleasure rides are up to a maximum of 34km, we did 32km at Avon, and should be ridden at no more than 12kph. Which is an easy speed to stay around as long as you mix in lots of walk, trot and canter. I use a GPS watch but I also work out my maximum and minimum total ride time so that if it fails I know the amount of time the ride should take me.
So when you get to the venue the first thing I would do is go to the loo, ha! Because once the horse is out the box you can’t leave it tied up unsupervised. Then you need to head to the secretaries tent, where you will receive your number bib and some emergency tags to attach to you and your saddle.
Once I’ve got your number and have headed back to the box I prepare my post ride buckets and water so that they’re ready for when I get back, I try to work out where the shade will be at my estimated arrival back so that the water is cool and my horse can be in the shade after the ride.
Then it’s time to take the horse out and prepare them for vetting, remeber to fill out your vetting form and take it with you. For Tissy all I did was give her a quick groom, pick out her feet and give her a 5min leg stretch around the parking area. For a pleasure ride you will see the farrier first to check if your horses feet, barefoot or shod, are in adequate condition to complete the terrain. After that you head to the vet, the vet writer will take the vetting form off you and the vet will watch you do a trot up. If the horse is happy and sound then you are ready to start the ride.
From the trot up time you have 30mins to tack up and head over to the start. You’ll be given a start time and the timekeeper and off you go. You’ll have seen a map beforehand so will have a rough idea of the course and most Endurance GB rides are very well marked so just pay attention to any turn offs and make sure you have seen some markers at least every 1km or so.
You’ll be on the same course as some competitive riders and most of them will warn you when they are coming up behind and ask to pass. If you would like them to walk please say otherwise they will slowly trot past when it’s safe to do so.
There are check points out on course, they’ll be clearly marked and usually a car with some sort of antennae on it. Just make sure they have seen you, give them your bib number and say thank you, as most people you see at the ride have volunteered their time for us to have a lovely ride.
Once you get back to the venue you have 30mins to cool off your horse and go back for your final trot up. Then you can take your horse back to the box and give them, and you, a well deserved munch. You usually have to wait around 15-45mins before your results are back with the secretary. So enjoy a bit of a relax before the drive home. Then take your number back to the secretary where you will be given your vet sheet and ride results along with a rosette.
Endurance GB have group and national Pleasure ride trophies so if you are a competitive spirit you might want to have a look at how you can compete for a trophy. Take a look at the Endurance GB website for info on rules and where you can book your Pleasure ride.
Beth Endurance 