2018 - Out & About
Snowdrop Pleasure Ride - Jacinta Magee
Americano de Savatella (stable name Zorro) and I have dabbled in endurance riding since the year after I first got him – which was almost 5 years ago. We’re lucky to be based at the yard of a very experienced endurance rider and I find it is a great way to get out exploring beautiful countryside in a safe and controlled way and to give ourselves a bit of challenge as we do it.
Bred and trained in Spain, Zorro’s default action is typical “sewing machine” but I have found that endurance has helped him to learn to stretch into a more relaxed rhythm and longer stride. He now knows when he’s heading out on a long ride and he pulls out what I call his “mission march” – a lovely long striding walk that I would kill for in a dressage test – and a relaxed, swingy, trot.
The Snowdrop ride is a training ride – i.e. a warm up before the endurance season starts – organised by a lovely lady who also owns a part bred PRE. As a training ride it is less structured than an actual competitive ride. Before a competitive ride, even if you are only doing a PR (pleasure ride) distance, you have to present to the farrier and trot up for the vet; start within 30 minutes of “vetting”; and then re-present to the vet within 30 minutes of finishing. However, even though these checks are missing, the Snowdrop ride is still very well organised – with on course stewards, check points (to make sure all riders pass through – something I find re-assuring if I am travelling & riding on my own) and crew points. This is where crew can meet up with riders and offer the horses and riders something to drink etc. and, on hot days – not a problem in February – crew will be armed with slosh bottles. Imagine large fabric conditioner bottles filled with water to pour over the horse to help them cool down – something to practice with at home before you attempt it mid-ride! The Snowdrop ride is always well marked as well – orange tape is tied to trees, fences etc on your left at regular intervals with turns marked by 3 lots of tape close together on the side of the turn. Plus you are required to carry a map (provided) with the routes marked.
Being held in and around the Stourhead National Trust estate in Wiltshire, the ride has some lovely views. Much of it is also on Forestry Commission tracks so the going is remarkably good even at this time of year. However, naughty Zorro still found a muddy puddle he deemed inviting enough for a roll! Luckily neither rider, horse nor tack were damaged but we did come home with one side of him and my left leg caked in mud. As someone commented, the Spanish sense of humour is rather unique! We had opted to do the 20km distance – there was a 14km option and a 36km members only distance – and that turned out to be about right for a good workout but not too far for him to cope (especially as you have to factor in the travel strain from the 90 min each way drive for us – although on our horsebox camera Zorro could be seen snoozing most of the way home!) It’s not a particularly fast ride but Zorro finished strong, getting a second wind about 12km in and a third when he sensed he was close to home. He enjoyed a couple of canters and spent the entire ride with his ears firmly forward, enjoying everything that was going on around him.
One thing I have learned about the PRE horse is that they love trying new things and, whether dressage, showing, jumping or hacking are your “thing”, you’ll always be welcome at a local endurance ride and chances are you horse with enjoy themselves as much as my little Spaniard does!
Jacinta Magee – February 2018
Bred and trained in Spain, Zorro’s default action is typical “sewing machine” but I have found that endurance has helped him to learn to stretch into a more relaxed rhythm and longer stride. He now knows when he’s heading out on a long ride and he pulls out what I call his “mission march” – a lovely long striding walk that I would kill for in a dressage test – and a relaxed, swingy, trot.
The Snowdrop ride is a training ride – i.e. a warm up before the endurance season starts – organised by a lovely lady who also owns a part bred PRE. As a training ride it is less structured than an actual competitive ride. Before a competitive ride, even if you are only doing a PR (pleasure ride) distance, you have to present to the farrier and trot up for the vet; start within 30 minutes of “vetting”; and then re-present to the vet within 30 minutes of finishing. However, even though these checks are missing, the Snowdrop ride is still very well organised – with on course stewards, check points (to make sure all riders pass through – something I find re-assuring if I am travelling & riding on my own) and crew points. This is where crew can meet up with riders and offer the horses and riders something to drink etc. and, on hot days – not a problem in February – crew will be armed with slosh bottles. Imagine large fabric conditioner bottles filled with water to pour over the horse to help them cool down – something to practice with at home before you attempt it mid-ride! The Snowdrop ride is always well marked as well – orange tape is tied to trees, fences etc on your left at regular intervals with turns marked by 3 lots of tape close together on the side of the turn. Plus you are required to carry a map (provided) with the routes marked.
Being held in and around the Stourhead National Trust estate in Wiltshire, the ride has some lovely views. Much of it is also on Forestry Commission tracks so the going is remarkably good even at this time of year. However, naughty Zorro still found a muddy puddle he deemed inviting enough for a roll! Luckily neither rider, horse nor tack were damaged but we did come home with one side of him and my left leg caked in mud. As someone commented, the Spanish sense of humour is rather unique! We had opted to do the 20km distance – there was a 14km option and a 36km members only distance – and that turned out to be about right for a good workout but not too far for him to cope (especially as you have to factor in the travel strain from the 90 min each way drive for us – although on our horsebox camera Zorro could be seen snoozing most of the way home!) It’s not a particularly fast ride but Zorro finished strong, getting a second wind about 12km in and a third when he sensed he was close to home. He enjoyed a couple of canters and spent the entire ride with his ears firmly forward, enjoying everything that was going on around him.
One thing I have learned about the PRE horse is that they love trying new things and, whether dressage, showing, jumping or hacking are your “thing”, you’ll always be welcome at a local endurance ride and chances are you horse with enjoy themselves as much as my little Spaniard does!
Jacinta Magee – February 2018
