I was happily surprised to receive an OAATS Ride & Event Schedule in the mail this weekend. Especially since I hadn't asked for one. OAATS has a big line-up of rides on their calendar for 2012. CTR, Endurance, and LD's. They also have something very interesting they are adding to their events, a new type of distance ride called recreational distance rides. Even though these will not be sanctioned by AERC there are still some great reasons to do these 10-20 mile rides.
New horse to distance.
New rider to distance.
To be used as conditioning rides for longer distance.
To continue riding a senior horse that may not be up for the longer distances.
There are other great things about this new venue.
You still get a good ride in at 10-20 miles per day.
There are no "placements" given so no worries about a horse race. Average speed cannot be over 7 mph. So if you like to move out a little you sure can, but you can ride turtle pace too.
These rides will count as career mileage with OAATS and will also count toward year end awards with OAATS.
They also have some other fun stuff planned for the year.
A multi-year jacket program and a new endurance challenge involving kicking some trail butt at the Chicken Chase, Scioto Run, and Salamonie Stomp by riding both days at all 6 rides!
It is wonderful to see such an active and outside the box thinking regional distance club. I'm thinking that these nicely paced recreational rides will be very appealing to trail riders, ACTHA riders, and others.
Way to go OAATS! (and thanks for the info).
~E.G.
I just found your blog, it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I love my NEDA rides - I'm all about low-cost low-key 10-20 mile rides! Hope you get a chance to check one out.
ReplyDeleteWelcome aboard Emmi!
ReplyDeleteFunder I envy you all those ride choices so close to home. If I could get a job there I'd buy your refurbished digs! I've often wondered, what do you do for hay supply out in the sub-desert lands? You all have snakes there? Little off topic huh? It's how I roll.
LOL, there's rattlesnakes, but they aren't that prevalent. I only see them on the trail (and no, my horse has never seen a snake - she's kinda clueless).
ReplyDeleteSome of the valleys have water right and are irrigated, and they're often used for growing hay. My hay comes from about 40 miles away in California, from a cattle rancher / hay farmer.