[jeda_horse]

CTR aka competitive trail ride for those that dont know is like a small version of an endurance ride (mine was 20km's for eg) but you get certain tasks to do along the way and get scored on how well you do them. It was my first serious one (have done much smaller non-competitive ones through my pony club) but today went out and did the full version. It was also Denzells first one ever.

So we went the night before (it was a 6am start th next morning) and I had to sleep in my car. It rained all night which made for a very messy track for the ride.

I entered the teams division with my friend as it was our first time and we werent entirely sure whatwe were doing, plus it was good to have someone to talk to along the way.

Denzell was extremely well behaved (he is so annoying! His bad and good behaviour is just so off again/on again GRR!) and tryed each task to the best of his ability I was so proud of him

There were I think 10 tasks spread out over teh 20k's.

Task 1 was "The mount" Sounds easy but to get a perfect score you have to be that... perfect lol (hehe I got 100% )

Task 2 requied you to walk through a tiny gap in a truck tire and over the other side. Denz initially refused to go through/over but blitzed it second go.

Task 3 was to walk over these large slippery/sinky mounds of like crusher dust or something. We did it quite well but Denzell took off over the last mound to catch up to his team mate lol stupid horse

Task 4 you had to walk up to this big log make your horse step over with his front feet only. While your horse was straddling the log like this you had to dismount, stay standing on the log, turn your horse around and make him straddle the log from the other direction and then remount. Hehe we had some problems with this as Denz really didnt want that log under him but I got it done in the end (after alot of arguing and being dragged off the log a few times lol)

Task 5 was to pick up a branch with lots of rustly leaves on it and drag it up a hill. We started off great for the first few steps then denzell ganced back and I could juts see him thinking.. "hmm a branch" glances back again he's like ... " ah mum theres a branch?!?" 2 secs later another glance "S*** mum!!! Its F****** following us!!!" and he pissbolts off into the bush and almost goes down the cliff (me still aboard!) I drop the branch and regain control and ask to finish it and we dragged it fine after that (it was a little scary though!)

Task 6 was a hoola-hoop thing on the ground which your were supposed to do a turn on the forehand around (like by keeping the horses front feet in it) denz did it o, but was being really stubborn at the start and wouldnt move at all! lol

Task 7 was to side pass along a log, tie a ribbon around a tree then side pass back along the log, ps. the log was on the side of a hill! Denzell's side pass isnt great at the best of times let alone on a hill with a log between his legs. We Timed out on this one and didnt get to finish it

Task 8 was to walk up a steep embankment stop at the top and reverse back down. We almost did it faultlessly but denze rushed his reverse a little.

There were a couple more but they were pretty boring, so i cant be bothered detailing them

All in all I had a great time. We were close to placing in our division (only a few points off) but really it didnt matter as we were there for the fun. My partner did great and had she of gone individually would of won! She didnt care though as she was riding an actual CTR trained horse she borrowed off the ride director lol

The day before I did the sporting events at my show. Pretty fun but its getting a bit much for Rusty now. I did get 3, 3rd places though so not bad for an old standardbred

Jeda_horse apologies for the lack of pictures

[ThisIsMe]

Tsk tsk all that and no pictures!

Well done though, CTR's sound fun. I'd love to give one a go one day.

[freedom32]

Sounds like fun! My sister used to do the judged trail rides on her old horse, she really liked them, but then Foxy was one of the best trail horses I ever knew. You did well tho, congrats!

[jeda_horse]

Thanks and Kaz you should definitely come up for one soon. we can do the teams

[Chester]

It certainly sounds like an interesting day. The cliff scares me a bit though.

Denzell did well for him. As you said, jekell and hyde that fella.

Glad you had a good day and came out smiling.

[Quiggles]

Ive heard of a ctr before but didn't actually know what it entailed exacally. It sounds really interesting and fun. Glad you had a good day both days.

[jeda_horse]

Thanks Quiggles.

Yep, Denzell certainly is my Jekyl and hyde At least the good behaviour is starting to outweigh the bad

[ThisIsMe]

Originally Posted by jeda_horse

Thanks and Kaz you should definitely come up for one soon. we can do the teams

I'll try! I can see the monster having flashbacks to his endurance days though

[Rising Star]

wow yours sounds more fun than mine thats for sure. Mine we jsut do the 20 miles (some do 40) and there is nothing between except for a vet check and a bit of a wait.

[*Psylocke*]

Originally Posted by jeda_horse

Task 5 was to pick up a branch with lots of rustly leaves on it and drag it up a hill. We started off great for the first few steps then denzell ganced back and I could just see him thinking.. "hmm a branch" glances back again he's like ... " ah mum theres a branch?!?" 2 secs later another glance "S*** mum!!! Its F****** following us!!!" and he pissbolts off into the bush and almost goes down the cliff (me still aboard!)

Okay now this was enough for me to forgive the no pics! LOL Cas!!!!! I know so many horses who would have that method of thinking....gradually becoming a bigger deal....lol

Glad he was on a good behaviour day!

Psy