Spotted Saddle Horse/MFT Buddy takes Kelley for a vet check
On March 28th, the first Intro to Endurance Clinic was held at the Bay Creek Campground in the Shawnee National Forest in deep Southern Illinois. About 30 people attended in total. The day started with free doughnuts, pastries made by Gaby Hoffmann and a presentation by a competitor, an endurance manager and a CTR manager. The total cost to the participants was a $ 2 parking fee.
We then road 12 miles in groups on a marked trail according to a pre agreed pace of either 9-10 mph, 7-8 mph or 5-6 mph. Each group was led by a seasoned endurance rider who already knew the marked trail and rode with a gps watch to match the announced speed.
We then had a practice vet check with explanation and heart rate check.
The youngest person was about 12 and we had a pair of mid 70 year olds.
We had one quarter horse, 5 arabians and the rest were gaited.
After the 12 mile ride, I took a group out for a gaited ride. We introduced one seasoned Arabian endurance rider to her first ride on a gaited horse. She said she would stick with an Arabian. Go Figure.
Mostly we all had a very good time.
Keith Kibler
AERC Membership Committee
Thank you to ALL the volunteers and Bay Creek Campgrounds!
Jessica Cox and her Arabian Jumping Jack Flash
Keith Kibler and Kate.
Gaby Hoffmann and Southern Honey.
Chuck Bearden, and Cooper.
Practice vet check by the most able and most awesome family Mowrer. From Olney Il, home of the white squirrels!
- Sandy Kibler, the most awesome wife of Keith Kibler and her 4 year old twh blue twh roan gelding Sapphire.
