Times-age.co.nz - Full ArticleGerald Ford
30th Jul 2013 9:21 AM
MIDWEEK
Knowing your horse is the key to endurance riding, according to the president of the club responsible for an early season event at Clareville on Sunday.
Wairarapa Endurance and CTR Club held the early ride mainly to qualify young horses in the sport - before a rule change comes into force in August.
Thirty-one riders from as far north as Maramarua and Reporoa and across to Otaki came to participate.
Most of the riders and their horses - 19 of them, hit the road as early as 7am for the 40km ride - a frosty start to the day.
There were half-a-dozen riders each for the 25km category and the 15km fun ride.
President Shane Dougan said during the long training rides, "you really get to know your horse", and this becomes key during competitive events.
"You've got to read your horse; you've got to know when to back off and when to push - there are a lot of tactics involved."
However, Mr Dougan said that entry level in the sport "is very easy and anybody can have a try"...
Read more here:
http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/trails-of-endurance/1964036/
