1. Training  Your horse must have excellent manners in hand. The horse is examined at the “trot/gait” and while standing by the Vet and, at CT Rides, by the Horsemanship Judge. An ill mannered, dangerous horse can be eliminated from competition.  Expose your horse to water, hills and jumps.  It should tolerate ATV’s, motorcycles and bicycles. (Back packers scare many horses.)  Be sure you horse will stand for mounting and will stand tied up.  Always use a safety knot. Keep your ropes short enough so legs can’t get tangled in them. Hay nets too.  Work on a variety of obstacles that you encounter or be judged by.

2. Training  Your horse must have excellent manners in hand. The horse is examined at the “trot/gait” and while standing by the Vet and, at CT Rides, by the Horsemanship Judge. An ill mannered, dangerous horse can be eliminated from competition.  Expose your horse to water, hills and jumps.  It should tolerate ATV’s, motorcycles and bicycles. (Back packers scare many horses.)  Be sure you horse will stand for mounting and will stand tied up.  Always use a safety knot. Keep your ropes short enough so legs can’t get tangled in them. Hay nets too.  Work on a variety of obstacles that you encounter or be judged by.

3. Conditioning  Take your time :do a lot of walking to develop strong bones and tendons  A consistent gait comes from slow and steady speeds.  Expose your horse to camping, groups of horses and travel in the trailer.  Ride in all kinds of weather.

4. Conditioning  Take your time :do a lot of walking to develop strong bones and tendons  A consistent gait comes from slow and steady speeds.  Expose your horse to camping, groups of horses and travel in the trailer.  Ride in all kinds of weather.

5. Feed and Water  Green grass hay  Alfalfa mix or a pad of alfalfa to stimulate eating during competition  Avoid sweet feeds. Look for feeds with more cereal grains, fat and fiber.  Feed concentrates about 3 hours before a competition.  Beet Pulp  Body weight should be a 5 score. Range 1-9 score. Range 1-9  Hydration is extremely important. As long as you keep moving, let the horse drink!!  Allow sips during cooling down.  Be careful and conservative with electrolytes. A bit can stimulate drinking, too much can irritate the horse’s system. horse’s system. Sponge your horse off for cooling.; on the trail, vet checks and finish line. Careful on cold days. Sponge your horse off for cooling.; on the trail, vet checks and finish line. Careful on cold days.

6. Tack

7. More tack  Don’t forget!!! Hoof pick, people water, sponge, knife, tie laces, cell phone, safe way to tie up your horse, snacks, Alleve !!, small first aid articles, lip gloss, extra hoof boot, tissues/ toilet paper, fanny pack to carry stuff.

8. Ride Pictures Ride Pictures

9. Riding