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Endurance by Gillian Jones

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90km Free Speed

Rain, mud and snow!  Part 2

By Gillian Jones

This winter just seems to be going on and on, I sure its not any longer than usual, it just seems like it. Just before the rain started we moved some fencing around the barn which meant digging holes etc. so the ground was soft and then it started to rain didn’t it, rain and more rain. So as you may well imagine the area turned into a complete mud bath, every time the tractor went in or out the mud got deeper. Trying to get a wheel barrow full of hay out to the field was for me almost impossible, my boots got stuck in it, then the wheel barrow would tip up, what I muttered under my breathe is not printable!! At least we could get the horses out for a few hacks but then the weather changed and the snow arrived. The tracks here were unrideable, but it was just before Christmas and I thought I would have plenty of time in the new year to start Monfi’s preparation for our campaign for 2010.

David & Monfi

How wrong I was, we seem to have gone from week to week with either rain or snow and freezing temperatures. Any day that it looked safe to venture on the tracks we had to go before they froze solid again. I managed to meet up a few times with my sister and her new horse Narlat. 2010 will be their first season together and also Narlat’s introduction to the world of endurance, so it was important for them to get some training in and also to get to know each other. Our only option was to do road work as the ground was so hard and slippery, not ideal but what could we do? Neither of us have a horse walker or a ménage to work in. Hard on the shoes but as I said there was no alternative. Both horses needed work....

I was looking forward to the first competition of the 2010 season, which turned out to be Alles Sur Dordogne on February 14^th. The entries have to be in the week before  and the weather really was not improving. My friend Jo lives near the venue and was giving us updates on the state of the ground. Jo was also entering her youngster for her first ride ever. We made the entry but left it to the last minute to make the final decision to go or not on the Saturday afternoon.

Jo and her youngster Socianda on her first outing

We packed the car and trailer up, I had decided not to clip Monfi because it had been so cold, He had been on his whiz mix for about a month and even though we had not had the best preparation I felt he was ready for 60km, its just a feeling I get from him, not scientific I know, he just changes his attitude and goes into work mode. Last minute check on the weather on Saturday night and as long as it didn’t snow or get any colder we would go in the morning. Up at 5.00am sort the horses, feed and walk the dogs, breakfast for us, load Monfi and go and pick up Narlat…..or not! Narlat was not too happy about going in the trailer which was not making David a happy bunny. I’m afraid David doesn’t have a sense of humour first thing in the morning, so things got a bit tense but eventually Narlat loaded and off we went to Alles.

En route

At the venue the start had been delayed and the speed had been dropped to 10 to 12km per hour for all classes because of the frozen tracks, I don’t know if it was my imagination but it felt even colder down there than at home. As I was doing 60km I would be doing two loops, the first one was 22km and would be the same route that Judith and Narlat would do. Both horses passed the initial vetting so it was tack up and go down to the start. The course rode  well despite the hard ground. On return to the venue Monfi now had a break in which he had to be vetted before going off on the second loop. Judith and Narlat now had 30 mins before their final vetting. On the way down to the vet area Narlat got really naughty and her heart rate went up to 64, they were lucky not to have been eliminated. I am sure it was just because there was so much going on and so many horses around her it was just a bit too much all in one day. Jo and her youngster did well and passed the final vetting, a good day for them as it was Socianda’s first time. A huge well done to them and also a big thank you for the lovely cake!

Monfi and I finished the second loop and passed the final vetting and managed 5^th place. Well worth the effort of going.

A happy result

So did any of you decide to have a go at a ride? I know it has been difficult to get out for training but the weather will start to improve….I hope, so there is plenty of time for you to find a venue and put an entry in. Give yourself about six weeks to get your horse ready for 20km. Most horses can do that distance but you have to be ready as well and as in all sports and equestrian disciplines preparation plays a huge part. So now you and your horse have been working, you should have a rough idea of how fast you are going, do this planning a route of a certain distance then time yourself. When you enter you can choose which speed to do either 10 to 12km or 12 to 15km per hour. This is how it breaks down for the timing on 20km:

10km per hour  =  2 hours

12km per hour  =  1 hour 40 mins

15km per hour  =  1 hour 20 mins

Get all your tack and equipment ready the day before. Take buckets and water for drinking and washing down if necessary, feed and hay. I always take a medical box with me just incase. Remember to take food and drink for yourself and crew if you have any. There is usually catering onsite, the choice is yours. On arrival you can put up a small corral for your horse if you wish, this means they won’t have to be tied up for too long so you will need to take some electric fencing posts and tape for this. You are expected to stay for the results which are given when all the riders have finished so it can be a long day.

Out on the ride

Go and get your info pack that will contain vet card, number bib and route map. Make sure you know which route you are following before you set off!

Go to the vet area where they will want you horses passport and the vet card that was in the info pack. The vet will do the checks including heart rate, dehydration scoring and then you will be asked to trot up your horse. Give the horse a long rein so the vet can get a good look at the movement. All OK? Good so now go back and get tacked up and get down to the start. Remember to take your vet card with you as your time will be recorded on this. The starter will count you down check your watch and away you go. Look out for the kilometre markers so you can see how your time is. Out on the course you will see stewards who will make a note of your number and see you safely across any roads, smile and say thank you. Without these people the rides couldn’t take place! Once you have crossed the finish line your time will be recorded once again on the vet card. You now have 30 minutes to get untacked, see if your horse wants a drink but don’t worry to much at this stage if he doesn’t seem interested. Monfi won’t drink before 30kms. Look for any cuts etc that need seeing to. Allow a few minutes to have a walk round with your horse and go down for your final vetting. Same routine as before. Well done you’ve passed the final inspection. So now relax and wait for the results. Before you go try and find the organisor and thank them for a lovely day.

For your first ride don’t over complicate things just go and enjoy it, if you want to try and go further then that’s when you will need a reliable crew to help you out on the course and it does get a bit more technical. It’s a good idea to watch other riders and their crews to see how they do things and if you are not sure about something then ask someone, it’s a very friendly sport there is always someone who will be happy to give you advice. So what are you waiting for, go on make that entry

Jo and George

Monfi and I are hoping to up a class later in the year to do the 90km free speed, we have done the 90 set speed but this gets a bit more complicated so I will let you know how we get on later in the year.

Article written by Gillian Jones

Photos supplied by Stewart Cambell.