I was really excited when I started learning about counting strides before and between jumps, and correctly executing it.  The same may be said for the horse rider who learns to ride a certain number of strides per minute, especially one who dreams of riding racehorses or eventing hoses for a living.

Being able to ride a horse at a particular pace over a predefined distance is a skill.  Pony Club’s Speed to Safety event focuses on developing riders to do exactly this.

In 2012, the winners of heats from different pony clubs around the state met at Moonee Valley racecourse to compete for first place in their event.  In 2013, the race was held at Caulfield Racecourse.  What a coo to be able to say you raced on either of these tracks!

It seems according to the Pony Club Victoria website that Speed to Safety is going ahead for 2014 also.  Tatura have a qualifying event being carried out on March 29th, while the state event qualifier will be held on April 26th and it seems that the finals are again to be held at Caulfield Racecourse, on February 7, 2015.

For those who dream of riding fast horses for a living and are a part of a Victorian Pony Club, this would be well worth looking into.

“Each leg in it’s gallop seems to stream with a rush of speed as though from a bucket of water poured o’er the field.” – Arabian Poet

Great Britain’s equestrian team are the benefactors for the 2014 Badminton Horse Trials.  Currently they’re in the process of raising funds to help support the team compete at the World Equestrian Games and upcoming Olympic events.

April 1, 2014 tickets go on sale for individuals who would like to donate a small fee to be able to walk the Badminton course with equestrian celebrities.

Being able to walk the course with equestrians who have performed highly around the world would be one thing; getting to walk such a well-known course would be another for the aspiring course designer.  Whatever your reason, the suggested donation of 25-30 pounds for either of the 2 events seems a worthwhile investment in one’s education.

“A horse who puts on a show in the dressage ring and strives to get through cross country and only knocks down one rail in stadium is more deserving of a break when he gets home than the horse who got first….only because he’s worked harder for that trip around the course.” – Author unknown