Here is a ride report and post-ride (day after) report from Aussie endurance rider Marg Richardson. Congratulations to Marg and her horse on a successful ride using Renegade® strap-on boots!
“The 120-km elevator ride in Tas held today was pretty miserable, weather-wise, and I think most pulled out at the 80k mark. My little mare completed her first 80k with the Renegades. I have to say I LOVE these boots, very, very happy with them, with help from my supplier and the wonderful Karen Chaton, the boots have worked perfectly and were faultless on a difficult track today. It is such a relief to not worry about rubbing or losing a boot in thick mud, and so easy to put on.
I also have to thank Natalie for selling me her beautiful Freeform saddle. This was the first 80k for me in a treeless saddle and I have to say I have never ridden a horse that was so forward, willing and happy as I did today – considering it was her first ride. She out-trotted all the other horses we rode with and we still had another couple of gears to go up!
Whether it was the fabulous boots, the saddle or I just have a freak fantastic horse I don’t know – but I know I liked it!!!
Anyway, out of our group, we all got around. Jeremy Ford in another boot in front just for the second leg, John Fletcher in Renegades for the second leg and me in Renegades for the whole ride. There were a few other barefooters there, but we left pretty quickly on finishing because the weather was so bad.
On a high tonight – and no-one to share it with – Adam is off brumby-working with Brian Hampson at the moment, so only have you guys to share my excitement with!!!
Thanks again to Pauline, Karen and Natalie, the Renegades and Freeform Rule!
Marg”
And this, from the next day:
“I feel fantastic today, the best recovery I have ever had from a ride. I used to do a lot of endurance but not done one for two years now. The whole barefoot thing was just too much of a headache for me with rubbing issues and it was all becoming such a hassle I didn’t really enjoy it. There was enough pressure being a ‘two-headed weirdo tree-hugging barefooter’ as it was at the rides!!
Now I can’t wait for the next ride!!!
The boots did not rub one bit for the whole ride, so I must have sorted out the fit. My mare looks a million bucks today, the best recovery I have ever seen for the day after a ride.
She was just amazing – she was trotting (and I was still holding her back), the other 4 people I was with were cantering and they clocked her at over 22km/hr. She felt so free and easy and comfortable. I am on such a cloud nine that I have finally got the barefoot/boot endurance thing sorted out and know I can go to rides and just enjoy it without worrying about boots!! Bliss.
I’ve attached a nice photo that I like of us at a previous ride where she has front boots on, and another one of just her feet which is nice – it’s scanned so not totally unfuzzy. It looks like we are going downhill, but it was actually flat – must have been the angle I scanned the photo – but shows a nice heel first landing.
Thanks again for all your support,
Marg”
