competitive trail

[Cedarsgirl]

So I'll be going to my first CT event next month. We have a few more weeks to prepare. Can someone offer a newbie some pointers to the sport? Would love to hear some stories of those who have gone through this event. Anyone? Anyone joinging the CT at Spruce Woods in Manitoba July24th and 24th?

[miatapony]

they are fun from waht i heard. i have not done one yet but i hear there is one comming to my neck of the desert in Oct. i might try to get ready for... side passing and steping over larger things not jumping them but steping over them. and tight turns and loads of backing ?? are what i can think of. good luck and have fun.. dont get mad ... and have someone take LOADS of pics.

[Cedarsgirl]

I'm looking forward to trying this out. I think it will give both Cricket and I something new and exciting to do. Anyone else have experience with this sport?

[AppyLover]

Check these threads out. Two of our members competed in CTC rides this year.

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15796

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15220

[gaited07]

Check these threads out. Two of our members competed in CTC rides this year.

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15220

Oh my GOD that was SOOOO FUN!!! Regardless of the bad weather, what a blast it was and a challenge for myself and my horse.
Simple things that we over look or sometimes over think it LOL!

If you ever get a chance to do one of these rides, I strongly recommend it.

If there is a particular question you have about the rides just hit one of us up on it. There are a few of us who has done these rides.

[WashingtonBay]

I have a friend who did them and said they were a lot of fun.

Focus on good and safe horsemanship at all times. You may not always know when you're being observed :)

A friend said that the best answer on some of the obstacles was not always the most straightforward or obvious answer. Think through the obstacle, and do it how you think it's safest. That might be how they are judging it. Example might be a ditch crossing with several ways you might navigate it. You don't have to choose the shortest way and will be judged down if you choose a risky route when a better route was available. Hard do describe, but that's how I think she described the criteria.

[Country Girl 43]

The CTC rides are great. I always have fun on them even if Dallas and I do not place well. It gives me an opportunity to find the "holes" in my training and work on them at home.

[Cedarsgirl]

Appylover thanks for pointing out the threads.

Gatied07 it looks like you had a blast! At first when I read you were going through the first obstacle I thought, holy cow they have to go through those pokey cactuses, haha. I didn't realise that not all of the obstacles would be "natural" like the cones. Something else so practice, thanks. That scenery is just beautiful.

WashingtonBay you are right...safety first for both horse and rider.

Country Girl 43 I'm with you on this one. I don't care how we place as long as we have fun and use the oportunity to learn new things.