--- In SEDRA@yahoogroups.com, "equesb" <jqbaker@...> wrote:
> Hi Jill;
Thanks for signing up for the SEDRA group. A while back we had a
discussion on gaited breeds in CTR and distance riding in general.
What do you think of competing on a gaited horse? What got you started
in distance riding?
Jackie Baker

Hey Jackie...
I don't ride a gaited horse, but my riding buddy (who boards at my
place) does. I'm not sure about the context of the discussion, but
will add my 2 cents worth.

We did not buy our horses with distance riding in mind. We are both
in our 50's and were pleasure riding out at Dupuis when we discovered
it by way of our riding club's "fun ride"....15 miles... OMG! It took
us 4 hours to do that! But we had so much fun and everyone was so
helpful, we decided to sign up for the Piney Pig 25!!! We had no idea
what we were getting into, how to train, how to feed, shoe, anything.

I rode in a 20-yr-old english saddle that in no way, shape, or form
fit me or my horse. I won the "happiest rider on the course" prize.
Of course, that was 3 miles into the ride. The ride photos of us
coming home in the rain are a different picture. But we were hooked.

I was so sore and miserable and couldn't understand these crazy ppl
doing 50, 75 and 100 miles!!! I had to know how they managed it. So
I talked with the ppl (only 3 that year) who did the 100 miles. I was
totally in awe of them. This wonderful, friendly 100 miler let me try
her saddle on my horse and I was blown away by how comfortable it was.
First big lesson!..tack... Years later I found out it was Valerie
Kanavy. I felt so stupid, as I did when the next year, we were parked
by the Rojeks and they brought us bags of ice from Indiantown and we
had no idea who we were camped beside, except that they were friendly
as could be. When I eventually realized their accomplishments I was
amazed at how down to earth they were with complete Newbies!

I think that is what kept us in this sport. Everyone we have ever
come in contact with is patient, kind, informative...OK.. opinionated.
But we have learned more about how to care for our horses than any
other venue than I have ever been in.

Getting back to gaited horses... My friend's horse is a BIG Missouri
Foxtrotter. He has the MOST comfortable ride I have ever felt (hello,
why she bought him). You don't even feel the miles. OK. He is not
fast. He stops when he has "had it". But he is sane, eats, drinks
and is mellow. With good conditioning, he is a great CTR horse. He
will never be competitive in endurance... too laid back...but then, so
are we! When I am on the last few miles of a ride on my mustang X with
a trot from hell, I look at him with his tail swishing lazily back
and forth and his cadillac ride, I wonder again.... "Why do I want an
Arab????"