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Kash
Platinum Member
 England
3777 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 8:02:07 PM
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Hi,
I'm hoping to do the Windsor pleasure ride with Agonia in July but I'm afraid I have like a bazillion questions
1. What does a crew actually do?
2. What will they need?
3. Do they generally go to every checkpoint?
4. What's the maximum time for an NCR?
5. Is it difficult to follow a map or is it a circular route?
6. Will we be vetted?
7. What does the vetting include?
Phew! I think that's it Sorry its a new whole area for me
Lauren
PS I'm yet to tell my crew (boyfriend ) that he's going to be crewing for me - any tips?!!!
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Photographs by Emma Maxwell and Peter Grant |
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taranstorm
Gold Member
Wales
952 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 8:07:12 PM
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i do regular pleasure rides,never need crew as there already people crew there to check all ok but endurance ride does need vetted your horse to check fit,healthy enough to let you through.Have fun!im lucky there is plenty of pleasure rides round here from april - august that my arabs loves to go! |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 8:25:07 PM
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| Your BF's support at the beginning & end of a PR will be much appreciated.....get him used to doing this support role.....before you face him with crewing when you start doing endurance riding prop!!!! |
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taranstorm
Gold Member
Wales
952 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 8:35:02 PM
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There is one bloke who rides on his bike on every pleasure rides with his wife who rides on her horse,he so fit!maybe ask your BF do the same to give you support or he be too knackered to do that   |
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 9:04:16 PM
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Hi lauren
I will try and answer all your questions.
1. What does a crew actually do?
The crew is there to care for both you and your horse
2. What will they need?
As your first PR is Windsor this will be slightly different. Windsor is not the best as crewing in the park is not easy.There are set crew points as well as water in the park.Your crew will need some slosh bottles (These can be old plastic milk bottles or fabric bottles make good one because they have a wide next)to pour over the horse. It is worth practising this at home.Big water containers, 2 buckets 1 for washing down + a couple of sponges and 1 for drinking water.
3. Do they generally go to every checkpoint?
These days many of the rides there are dedicated crew points other wise you can crew were you can get to
4. What's the maximum time for an NCR?
The speeds are between 8-12kph
5. Is it difficult to follow a map or is it a circular route?
The route will be marked with dayglo tape and / or arrows. You will be sent a map of the route about a week before the event.
6. Will we be vetted?
yes
7. What does the vetting include?
you will need to trot up before you start and if the vet is not too busy you can get the pulse rate done you will then have to trot up within 30mins of finishing.
Lauran give me a ring if I can help more, will PM my number.
If you want to meet up before then call me or PM me.
Pauline |
Pauline Higgs
Equine & Human Holistic Therapist
www.thegentlestouch.co.cc
www.endurancegbmidsouth.co.uk
Berkshire / Hampshire Border |
Edited by - Pauline on 03 Jun 2009 9:18:11 PM |
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 9:12:37 PM
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1 The first time my 'crew' did the job they spread out a picnic rug and asked whether we'd like a coffee or tea, but actually they are supposed to provide or help wash down horse if its sweaty or hot and offer it something to drink. Some horses wont drink over a short course in which case beet water or molasses water sometimes encourages them. My mother (crew) said rather pointedly that she'd 'heard' that riders can get a bit scratchy if they are dehydrated so its important to offer them a drink too. I dont know WHAT shes talking about.
2 Sponge, bucket, water, ribena or gin
3. Mine dont but then we only ever do 32 km (You can tell that I know what I'm talking about cant you?)
4. I cant remember but the first time Shah and I did one, there was a bit of a dispute in the secretary's tent re whether we should get a rosette or not on the grounds that we could have walked quicker.
5 They always say they are well marked. I always get lost even when I have done the course before. You are not supposed to follow the horse in front but hey at least you'll be lost together. Yes you should carry a map (but mine is always in my pocket as Spider is map-phobic)
6 Not on a PR but some rides let you be vetted anyway for practice. Edited to 'yes' because Pauline knows more than me.
7. Horse has heart rate read. Arabs are supposed to have low heart rates (which they do until they realise what its all about and then they are SOOOO excited one wonders if the vet will let them start) Then the vet makes you trot in hand to a scary cone and back again. If your horse has done 'in-hand' this can be an exciting experience. Vet also checks for lumps and bumps etc and the same happens post ride. You get half an hour between finishing the ride to presenting horse to vet at the end. Proper endurance people spend this endlessly pouring nasty cold water over horse to reduce the heart rate. Spider and I have agreed a no-cold water treaty, so he eats grass for 30 mins instead. I dont recommend this but at least we're friends at end of event.
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West Sussex |
Edited by - Arachnid on 03 Jun 2009 9:13:33 PM |
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Nut
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 10:00:32 PM
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Julia - does that mean you dont want me out on the course with a picnic, topping up my tan?
Lauren - am going with a friend and her little coloured cob that do endurance, am crewing for Julia so if you need me to help just let me know. |
     www.ndlarabians.webs.com
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Gemma
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1802 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 10:57:35 PM
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I was going to answer but everyone else has covered it so well!
I'm going to print this off and show to my OH though. He's doing his first crewing stint next month - at a 120km ER. Nothing like throwing him in @ the deep end. And knowing him, he'll be flat out on the grass with a can of beer in hand.... |
 
Photo 2: West End Photography |
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Esther
Gold Member
United Kingdom
866 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 06:35:02 AM
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You don't really need a crew on a pleasure ride but if he's a willing volunteer and wanted to meet you half way round (particularly if it's a hot day) you'd appreciate him. Alternatively you could volunteer him to help man one of the official waterpoints if there are some which means he'd be able to see you and help loads of others.
Try this for some help: www.freewebs.com/west_riding_egb/crewing.doc It was written in 2001 so some of the rules based comments are a little out of date, but the general premise is still sound, especially 'the real world' as some things never change |
paranoid horsemother
 
Photo on far right thanks to West End Photography
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 08:52:56 AM
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Esther
Good article.
For a first time I would not volunteer my crew I would want my crew with me.They are there as a favour to you not the ride.
Windsor (For a crew) is not an easy ride.
A PR is meant to be fun and an introduction to our sport.
If the weather is nice as a venue Windsor is lovely.
Pauline |
Pauline Higgs
Equine & Human Holistic Therapist
www.thegentlestouch.co.cc
www.endurancegbmidsouth.co.uk
Berkshire / Hampshire Border |
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Reagarth
Bronze Member
England
92 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 09:47:49 AM
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Thankyou Arachnid - I loved your reply Reminded me of my first in 1982 on my stallion St Dominick (Blue Domino son) where we flew around behind an in season mare Quickest time and luckily no pulse taking back then 
Judith |
Reagarth Arabians |
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