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Age of riders

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trillium

Post subject: Age of riders

Posted: Jun 09, 2010 - 10:40 AM

Joined: Jun 07, 2010
Posts: 11

Status: Offline

Hi,

how old are the riders on average? I am 50 years old and have never done Competitive Trail. I wonder if I am even fit enough to do it. I ride on a regular basis, but other than that I don't do any fitness training other than pilates.
Is that sufficient?

Johanna

elaine_steele

Post subject: RE: Age of riders

Posted: Jun 09, 2010 - 12:54 PM

Joined: Jan 31, 2009
Posts: 58

Status: Offline

Hi Johanna

You may not realise this, but you are in the same age range as a lot of us who compete regularily at OCTRA. Some are quite a bit older and still compete regularily. You will just have to give it a try to see if it is for you. I also do not do any real fitness training. I walk sometimes in the winter to help me keep fit for the next season, but aside from riding, that is all I do. I hope this helps.

Elaine

dessia

Post subject: RE: Age of riders

Posted: Jun 09, 2010 - 09:04 PM

Joined: Dec 08, 2008
Posts: 934

Status: Offline

Hi Johanna
Not only are a lot of our current riders in that age group, a lot of the people brand new to the sport are too! We did several Distance 101 seminars and the people attending were normal horse loving, pleasure riders and some from other diciplines, but on average, around 50 and looking for something new to do that doesn't "judge" their riding skills as such as well as meet new people and see new trails. Many rides offer shorter distances to start out with and lots of support to the newbies.

trillium

Post subject:

Posted: Jun 10, 2010 - 08:05 AM

Joined: Jun 07, 2010
Posts: 11

Status: Offline

Hi Elaine and Dessia,

thanks for the replies. I think this is really something to look into. I just want to get a feel for the sport and see if that is for me. I am currently doing some basic dressage on my gelding, he is actually my daughter's horse, but after she left for University I was looking for something do with him. He seems to enjoy that and so do I.
I will come out and watch a ride or two and we'll go from there.

Johanna

mandymae384

Post subject:

Posted: Jun 10, 2010 - 07:56 PM

Joined: Feb 23, 2009
Posts: 126

Status: Offline

You should volunteer, or come out to see a ride happen. Take a look at the competition page to see where and when the rides are.. contact the Ride manager to see if they would like a volunteer.. Its one of the best ways to see the sport first hand with out participating.

dessia

Post subject:

Posted: Jun 10, 2010 - 08:01 PM

Joined: Dec 08, 2008
Posts: 934

Status: Offline

Yes, volunteering is the best way to learn, that way you are part of the "group", can feel comfortable asking loads of questions and are put with the right people to get them answered! Just showing up to watch can be boring and confusing to say the least.

trillium

Post subject:

Posted: Oct 11, 2010 - 03:27 PM

Joined: Jun 07, 2010
Posts: 11

Status: Offline

Hi again,

I didn't get a chance to make it to any of the rides this year. Too bad. I am really hoping to get out to volunteer next year to see first hand what's involved.
For now I try to keep myself and my horse fit, trying to get lots of riding in.
I still read here on a regular basis.
I even got to go to Kentucky! My friends and I watched dressage, cross country and jumping! How exiting that was!

Johanna

mandymae384

Post subject:

Posted: Oct 11, 2010 - 03:51 PM

Joined: Feb 23, 2009
Posts: 126

Status: Offline

hi Johanna,,
there are also a bunch of us on Facebook too if you are on it. you can search me at mandymae384@hotmail.com and i will 'suggest' the numerous people I have and they can suggest others that they have too..