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I Was a Beginner Once Too!

• Arrive at site, relieved to be there in one piece!
  

• Leave horse on trailer and go to Entry desk to register. No need to weigh in if Novice Envelope will contain number bib, trail map, meal ticket and other goodies. Starting time will be given, score card also in envelope.
  

• Unload horse, unwrap and 'set fair.
  

• Take score card (and horse) to vat, check for P/R, and vet inspection- When asked, trot horse out on a loose line. Be prepared also to trot in a circle on either hand. Not all rides require this.
  

• Ten to fifteen minutes before starting time, tack up and warm horse up either mounted or in hand to calm yourselves down.
  

• Wait quietly at starting point until timekeeper points you in the right direction giving you your time, Walk out for first few minutes to establish you, and not your horse, are in control. Some horses like to think they are at the races when they see other equines disappearing off into to the distance. Riders we generally started in pairs one minute apart. This might differ from ride to ride.
  

• Follow ribbons -- while is straight ahead, blue means turn left, red indicates a right turn. A white together with a coloured ribbon indicates a turn coming up.
  

• Watch the ribbons. don't chatter with your partner and try not to get caught ,up in a bunch, If you do it might mean you get held up before the trot-in to the vat check.
  

• VET CHECK coming up! You will be told to trot half a mile into the check
  

• Your ccore card will be handed to you to give to the P/R recorder to have horse's pulse and respiration taken at FOUR minutes from arrival time.
  

• Loosen girth, allow horse to drink, sponge off legs, neck and chest (not croup or other large muscles behind), grab a bite to eat (a snack is generally provided), let horse graze until you feel you are ready to continue. Present horse to vet for a quick check and trot-out either in hand or mounted. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE TIME
  

• Enjoy the rest of the ride, You've already done half!
  

• Another half mile trot into the vet check - P/R's done at four minutes again,
  

• Unsaddle gradually allowing saddle area to cool down a bit. Sponge off and clean up.
  

• Half an hour after arrival time (actually 26 minutes after having the P/R taken), readings are taken again.
  

• Re-present your horse to the same vet or vets you saw in the morning.
  

• That done, return to trailer, make horse comfortable with a hay net, maybe a small feed of grain. Make sure he's OK before you go to supper and AWARDS.