DECADE TEAMS
The AERC would like to thank EasyCare for their Platinum Sponsorship and their support of the Decade Teams!
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I believe in the "2 years or 1,000 miles of competition before going fast" theory. I stuck to that with Shayne and again on the horse I'm bringing along now and it seems to work well for my horses and me. When I started endurance riding I heard that phrase (2 years or 1000 miles) allot and many people were pretty religious about it when bringing up a new horse. It has really stuck with me even though I don't hear it much anymore. I need/want/like my horses to last a long time and I believe that this is one way of stacking the cards in my favor to make that happen. I don't creep along the trail by any means, and I do spend a great deal of time conditioning my horses for the rides. But, I try to be conservative/middle of the pack"ish", for the first 2 years or approximately 1000 miles. I have also learned to be focused but flexible; that competition is not only about coming in first, and that nothing lasts forever.
Don't let your competitiveness carry you away. Put the horse's well being before your own. If you think your horse is off...he is. And, realize that at this time next year (or possibly even next month) no one is likely to remember, or care, where you placed at this ride or any other ride. So, take advantage of opportunities as they come but don't spend your time worrying over placings at a ride or push too hard to try to make something happen. The things that people will remember are how you treat others and how you treat your horse. Suzanne Pindar
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**Decade Team Horse & Rider.
These riders have ridden their own horse every year in a 50 mile and up endurance ride for at least ten ride seasons. We started this as the 2003 ride season ended and are continuing it for horse and rider teams who become eligible to be a "Decade Team". Congratulations to all of them!
2006-2007-2008
2005
2004
2003
**Decade Teams on this list were put together simply for interest only -- to see what we can learn from these people, enjoy their stories and see who they are since they are still currently riding their horses. There are quite a few other horses that have lasted for 10+ years in this sport, both currently and previously (some missed the list because they had different riders, are doing limited distance, or took time off, etc.). I am sorry that we cannot include all of them. We have to keep with certain limits because this is a volunteer project. Thank you for your understanding.
Disclaimer: The information and advice contained in these interviews are the rider's own and not necessarily recommended by the AERC.
If you know of somebody that should be on these lists and isn't, please send an email to Karen
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Know your horse, especially before you try to push the envelope if you ever do. Take it slow until you know your horse is ready both physically and mentally. That means bones and tendons, not just heart rate recoveries. Your horse will "feel" ready way before bones and tendons really are. You also need to keep in mind that horses are unpredictable, and you never really are in complete control. Heed any subtle sign that something isn't quite right. Especially during an endurance ride. Gut instincts are usually right. Julie Barnfarther
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