So the weather hasn’t been kind – but I am determined to keep up the work schedule. First of all, I found a GREAT on line article about conditioning for your first endurance ride. It is from the Southeast Endurance Riders Association. The link is below.

http://www.seraonline.org/Conditioning.pdf

Happily, Belle meets their minimum criteria, she is a healthy, mature broke to ride horse. And they say 3 months is a minimum, so we started JUST in time! They to start with about 5 miles at a walk and project that will take 1 ½ - 2 hours to complete. Having to ride so many hours may be the Hardest part of the program for me. Time is always at a premium for me. But I think if I Pony a 2^nd horse along, then I can ‘justify’ spending that much time out on the trails! So, this week so far, I have gotten in 3 work sessions, and I am about to head out for another trail ride, and try ponying this time!

Tuesday March 2 – Free lunge in arena for 10 minutes – it isn’t much – but it does build lung capacity and some speed work. Also the footing is fairly deep in the main ring right now, so it is also good for making the tendons strong for sandy or deep footing.

Wednesday, March 3 – day off

Thursday, March 4, 2010 – Horrible winds today – I mean COLD and sustained at 20-25 with gusts to 30+. But I have a student hauling over with his horse, and he needs to ride, and So Do I! So, we lunge his, I let Belle have a 5 minute free lunge to take the edge off, and we set out. It is just a 45 minute ride, but given the weather conditions, and the fact that Ken’s horse is really out of shape, it is enough. Belle jigged most of the ride – but I can ignore it, knowing that she will eventually figure it out, and if not, well, at least it is a smooth jog, and when we are racing, we won’t be trying to walk much anyway. Mostly I am pleased that both horses were not affected by the wind, not one single spook. And I am proud of Ken and I for getting out there when 2 other riders wimped out. It is amazing what making a commitment to an event will do for motivation. It is why I enter shows most of the time. It just makes me work when I would rather quit. I still think the time demand is going to be the hardest part. The SERA program is recommending 7 ½ hours of riding a week by the end of the first month! But only one ride is 2 hours long, so I guess that will be the Monday rides and I will just have to Make myself set the time aside! Which means quitting typing and going out to ride!