Pleasure/Training rides

[*Sez*]

I would love to start doing some endurance on Salsa, but as yet I've not even been brave enough to get him out to a pleasure ride
He is completely fine when hacking alone, and great in company although cantering with company can get a bit over-exciting. What I would ideally like to do is a reasonably short ride that we can do at a walk & trot to see how he reacts and get him used to the idea, before I fry his brain by leaping in at the deep end!

Does anyone know where to find details of up coming rides in my area? I'm stuck for transport now, so it would have to be in hacking distance. Any other thoughts for starting out would be appreciated

[Bertie]

There's a couple of places you can start to look for fun rides: -

* www.funrides-uk.com (think that's the right web-address)
* Any of the endurance web-sites Endurance GB, sport endurance, they all have schedules and most of their competitive rides have non competitive or pleasure rides running as well.
* Contact your local bridleway assocaition they may run them
* www.ridingdiary.co.uk - they have a fun ride section as well.

They normally set you in teams of 4 or slightly more but explain that you want to go slow as it's your 1st time and they'll try and pair you up with someone appropriate. I did my 1st one in April and loved it and can't wait to do more

Go for it, you'd be amazed how well they behave, my horse was perfect for whole 2.5hours.

[Bob's mum]

I have recently started to do these and it is great fun. In Scotland we have a seperate organisation but in England there are two that you can use both of which will give you lists of rides, costs and helpful hints etc.

http://www.sportendurance.co.uk/

and

http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/

There are set minimum and maximum speeds for pleasure rides to get a rosette at the end and those are between 8kph and 10.99kph. 8kph is perfectly achievable in walk and trot only so long as you do a lot of trotting ! However, Endurance folk always say to complete is to win (so it doesn't matter if you dont get the times at first !!) as it is better to bring the horseback fit enough to pass the vetting and without their brains fried

Give it a go, my boy and I absolutely love it and if you are worried that too many other horses behind and in front will wind your horse up aim to be towards the last ones out.

[hmoses]

Visiting your local tack shops can be useful too. They often advertise fun/pleasure rides or carry local equestrian magazines where they're advertised.
If you then go to one you'll often find they have fliers for others.
They're all great fun and some are in aid of charity so you're helping a good cause too

[wondergirl]

One went out from Thrushwood today. It caught my eye too and I quite fancy it aswell.

I spoke to one of the marshalls and she said try www.endurancegb.co.uk and you will fnd a link to our local group - Durham and Teesside. They do training/fun rides as well as competitive rides.

[*Sez*]

Originally Posted by wondergirl

One went out from Thrushwood today. It caught my eye too and I quite fancy it aswell.

I know - I was gutted! I found out on Wednesday, so didn't have time to get his lordship fit enough for it. Thanks for the link - I've had a nosey and there doesn't seem to be another one this summer at Thrushwood but I've added it to my favourites so hopefully I'll find out about them in future. It's just a shame that my trailer fell to bits, so now I've got no transport to get to anything a little further afield.
When OH has a job, I'll have to put a 3.5t horsebox at the top of my shopping list!

[wondergirl]

Im aiming to do one next year with another girl from my yard.

I dont jump, I dont do dressage so I think that this could be out 'thing'. I'm not into competing so I'll probably just do the training/fun rides. Apparently there's no jumping involved, and there's a speed limit so you're not allowed to gallop around like a loon.

So my horsey goal for next year is to compete in an EGB fun ride with Molly

[Purple Hugs]

Hi Sez, is there a riding group in your area? We have one in ours and it's always organising rides/meets etc both formal and informal.

Hope you manage to get out and about.

[Rea]

Check out the darlington and stockton times.....

http://www.darlingtonandstocktontime...rt/equestrian/

Everyweek they have a page with up coming dates including most of the pleasure rides in the area. You can also sign up for them to email them to you every friday with them.

[weeyinathame]

Hi

I'm new to the forum and semi new to pleasure rides but they are great. a friend of mine introduced them to me a few years ago. I'm based in Aberdeenshire and we've got a ride this weekend at bennachie www.serc-grampian.org.uk.

I'd thoroughly recommend them as they are great for confidence, very friendly and even help you and your horse through issues in schooling....

i'm sure if you contact the local club they'll find someone that you can ride with or you could ride with a friend and be brave together

good luck

jen

[Bob's mum]

Hi Jen

Welcome to the forum I'm with Serc Tayside, so maybe see you around.

[Julz S]

Bobs Mum - I quite fancy giving this a go too! Do you need any special equipment or tack to do the pleasure rides? I had a wee look at the serc tayside website and see there is one at Kettlehill in Oct, that might be a good one to aim for for my first attemt!

[weeyinathame]

Hey Bob's Mum!

Are you doing the bennachie ride this weekend as I see there are a few tayside Folk? Are you planning on any Grampian or Lothian rides - I hope to do Rosswell in Sept?

Julz - you don't need any special equipment - I use everything that i normally have. However, do you have a bum bag? You need a first aid kit and hoof pick with you but I'm sure tayside will be like grampian and that if you are new there are a few you can borrow from the club. So the only cost is your fee for the day!

give it a go and tell us all about it!

Jen

[Bob's mum]

Hi Jen

No, not doing Bennachie, my next ride is Blairadam at Kelty on Aug 3rd, then hopefully Blairgowrie in Sept. Just sticking to Tayside ones this year, will probably venture further next year, I hope !

Hi Julz

As Jen says nothing special reqd. except for first aid kit which you can hire at the admin caravan, think it is £5 refundable upon return. Worth taking a drink with you and something for energy, either glucose tablets or Mars bar !!

Kettlehill should be a good ride, it got great reviews last year. PM me if you want to chat more

[happy highlande]

I will be at Blairadam tomorrow - will look out for you!

Julz - I have done Kettlehill a couple of times - PM if you want info and I'll look out my old maps

[Bob's mum]

Hi HH, how did you get on ? My boy ripped his Easyboot to pieces before B ! So we got picked up by trailer. Disappointing or what ?? It was a good route too wasn't it.

Oh well, overreach boots and a spare boot on saddle for Blairgowrie then.......... !!!

[happy highlande]

Had a great time - zippped round with a fellow HiPo and came in on a good time and heart rate!

Have now deceided to enter Caledonian challenge - the entries have been extended - why don't you come too??

Will look out for you at Blair - I have a green tropper and a cream dun Highland - come and introduce yourself! (Or PM me your real name and I'll check your number at the caravan!)

[Bob's mum]

Have PM'd you HH

[JanC]

This is so weird! I was at Blairadam yestersday too! Minus my horse - just went for a nosy as have suspected that endurance would be "our thing" for a while now. Tried the dressage and eventing scene and not for us - can't enjoy the constant nausea, tarting up etc and all for 5 minutes of actual riding. Plan to start training my lovely lady once the kids are back in school!
Bob's mum - do you have a fantastic multi-coloured haircut?! If so, I spotted you and thought "cool hair"! Sorry you didn't get to finish the course. Maybe see you all at a Pleasure ride in the future - I'll be on the nutter bay thoroughbred...

[Shanahan]

Originally Posted by *Sez*

Does anyone know where to find details of up coming rides in my area?

Hi Sez

I noticed that you said you're from North Yorkshire so thought you might be interested in your local EGB group's website where you can find out more information on pleasure/social and competitive rides being run in your area.

http://www.neyorksgroupofegb.co.uk/

Hope this helps

Shan