Nebraskaland

Reiners, ropers, barrel racers, pleasure riders, hunters, jumpers and dressage riders could all be found at the CTR at Indian Cave State Park in 2014, while the following breeds were present: Spanish Mustang, Quarter Horse, Arabian, half Arabian, Paint, Rocky Mountain Horse, Missouri Fox Trotter, Spotted Saddle Horse, Morgan Horse, Thoroughbred, mule, Appaloosa, Hungarian, and grade (unregistered) horses. "A horse with a sound mind that is respectful makes the ride much safer and enjoyable," Rinne said. "Aside from conformation, soundness and fi tness develop with experience and miles. Most horses can be successful with conditioning and training." Long Slow Distance (LSD) is the training regimen recommended to beginners. "Conditioning long miles with less speed develops skeletal strength, muscle endurance and metabolic effi ciency. Trying to condition with too much speed and stress early into training with an unfi t horse is more likely to result in injury or muscle damage that takes months to repair," Rinne said. The Ride Many long-time competitors rode in specialized endurance riding saddles, while most new competitors tacked up with what they already own, whether English or western. All carried plenty of water in their saddle bags, along with a knife, a sponge dangling from a rope to cool down their horses at water stops, and a rope and halter. A trail map was given to each rider, while an accurate watch was necessary for pacing. On Saturday morning, teams timed out with their division to ride on a clearly marked trail. In addition to completing the trail within a set time, horse and rider were also expected to fulfi ll several judged check points with a horsemanship judge and two pulse and respiration checks (P&R) with a veterinary judge along the trail. Each horse and rider had their own scorecard and all started out with 100 points; the rider's scorecard evaluated horsemanship skills and safety, while the horse's scorecard focused on condition, soundness and trail ability/ manners. Point deductions occurred throughout the ride. Riders are able to take their scorecards home to practice the skills needing improvement or more work conditioning and training with the horse, Rinne said. Year-end awards are based upon accumulated points throughout the ride season. Rider's skill and equitation (form), as it applied to long distance riding, horse care, sportsmanship and safety on the trail, were judged, while trail challenges ranged from a combination of maneuvers such as backing, side passing and turns on the fore- and hindquarters. "Those skills may be applied to challenges such as backing around a tree or up an incline, side passing over a log, and getting around natural terrain. Opening, passing through and closing a gate is common," Helen Smith of Ashland, NE, and her horse Sasha, a Quarter Horse, Arabian and Thoroughbred cross, take their 10-minute break before presenting to veterinary and horsemanship judges. 44 NEBRASKAland • OCTOBER 2015

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