Preparing for your first ride

Attend pleasure rides with the minimum and maximum speeds of 8-12 kph (5-7.5 mph). You receive a rosette for completing within the time allowed. At some pleasure rides, if they are run at the same event as EGB competitive classes, you may be asked to trot your horse up for the vet before and after the ride. In a set speed ride the vet will also check the horse over for ‘lumps and bumps’ and take the pulse, which must be 64 beats per minute or below.

Here are some hints and tips to help you prepare to compete in an EGB competitive ride:

Prepare at home:

Teach your horse to trot up for the vet. If you are unsure of his behaviour – use a bridle
Practice sloshing at home – it can be a bit of a shock to the horse the first time having water poured on him ( we use fabric conditioner bottles to pour water over the neck )
Practice taking the pulse with either a stethoscope or pulse monitor
Get him used to drinking out of the lidded buckets your crew will be taking to the ride (this means your crew can put them back into the car boot with the lid on & drive to the next meeting place without spills)

Entering a competitive ride:

Enter the ride in plenty of time – many rides get full soon after the opening date in the schedule
Get everything ready the day before. Horse & tack should be clean & tidy
Fill in forms for vetting before you go. Remember to pack log book membership & horse registration cards if a competitive ride
Read information and maps sent by the organiser. Note compulsory walking sections etc.
Work out speeds to the checkpoints at your slowest, mid-way and fastest time allowed to the finish (check out the ride time calculator). Write this on a sticker on your map so you can judge your speed on the way round ( give a copy to your crew)

At the ride:

Arrive approx 30 mins before vet time
Walk horse around
Offer horse & rider a drink
Collect bib from secretary – take your paperwork, log book, membership cards etc.
Check notice-board for route changes etc.
Horse should not have saddle or boots on for the vetting. English weather usually needs a rug though
Wear your bib for the vetting and if you have a friend/crew with you take them to hold forms/rugs
Novice horse should wear a green ribbon in its tail, red ribbon for kicker, blue ribbon for stallion

If you need help just ask organiser, another rider or crew

On the way round:

Don’t feel you have to ride at the speed of someone you started with or met on the way round(they might be in a different class)
If you need to pass another horse – ask
Always look for markers – don’t follow the horse in front of you (they sometimes go the wrong way)
Give your number to the check point stewards
Thank the stewards on the way round

At the end of the ride:

You must be mounted as you cross the line
Timekeeper will advise you of your finish time and when you have to present to the vet
Pleasure riders can present to vet between 20 – 30 minutes after finishing
Competitive riders must present to the vet exactly 30 minutes after finishing

Before vetting

Loosen girth, put on head-collar
Put rug on quarters
Offer horse a drink constantly
Take horse’s pulse, tie up hay net
Sponge horse down neck/inside back legs
Take pulse at 10 minute intervals (should be going down)
If weather is cold do not use too much water ( shivery horse’s pulse goes up)
Take saddle off after 15 mins (helps to prevent pressure lumps)
Pulse must be under 64 beats per minute
Depending on weather, rugs may need to be pulled back or added
Walk horse around a couple of times
Stop horse eating 5 minutes before vetting

If you have a pulse monitor strapped to the horse you can learn what makes the pulse go up or down and experiment with what suits your horse

Vetting:

Arrive at the vetting area a few minutes before 30 mins to give horse’s pulse time to come down & settle
Keep your bib on
Be careful not to walk close to other horses

After vetting:

Rug horse to keep warm
Give hay net & get ready to travel
Completion of paperwork sometimes takes time – please be patient
This is a good chance to chat to other riders whilst you wait
Return bib & collect rosette
Thank the secretary!

What used to worry us when we started

Hitching up trailer

Turning/parking trailer

Will horse go on trailer

Will I ride at right speed

Will I fall off

Will I be able to follow map

Will I pass vet to start

We Have forgotten:

Saddle
Stirrups
Girth

So write a list & just check it prior to going

Start with our basic list & add to it as time goes on