Top 100 Mile Rider Interviews

Rider Name:   Heather Reynolds
Years in Endurance:   18
# of 100's:   30+
Career AERC Mileage:   10,870 (thru 2004)

Age that you did your first 100 at:I finished my first 100 at   15

How is your 100 mile conditioning program different from your 50 mile conditioning program?   Not very different I use the 50's to get ready for 100's

Describe your feeding program, before during and after a 100:   What kind (if any) supplements have you used -- do you think they made a difference?   Platinum Performance makes a difference

How close to the 100 mile ride do you do your last conditioning ride?   Two weeks but then I continue riding the horse three days a week easy until the event
Last 50 mile ride?   No closer then three weeks before

How do you prepare yourself for a 100 mile ride?   By doing lots of riding

How do you know or feel that the time is right to do a 100 on your horse for the first time?   The horse is at least 6 and has done at least 250 miles of 50's and can eat and drink well

How do you handle riding in the dark? Glowsticks on your tack or not?   Yes glow sticks.    Headlamps, flashlights (describe). Do you have a preference on color of glowstick?   Green glow sticks are brightest and the best way to piss people off is have a headlamp or flashlight as it ruins your night vision

How do you and your horse feel at different points in the ride? What are the "low" spots and how do you handle them?   If you are well prepped then you shouldn't get lows

Is your post ride horse care any different than a 50 mle ride?   Ice poultice wrap after both

Any advice to first time 100 mile riders on post ride rider-recovery?   Lots of water drinking

What kinds of food and drink do you like on a 100?   Things that are easy to swallow such as yogurt, watermelon, protein drinks, slim fasts

What are your recommendations for someone attempting their first 100 miler?   Ride your ride vet check to vet check rather then the whole picture it's less overwhelming

How often do you electrolyte on a 100 mile ride? How about pre-ride or post-ride electrolyting?   It depends on temp and speed. Definitely before and after ride

How many 50 mile rides would you do on a horse prior to doing his first 100 miler? Over what period of time?   Depends on age but if you have a horse that is 6 or better, you could start the season doing 50's and around September do a slow 100

What is your most memorable experience on a 100 miler?   When I won the Pan Ams

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on a 100?   Seeing (edited name) moon me

What is your favorite 100 mile ride and why?   Tevis, every year is different there is always an element of surprise

What do you look for in a good 100 mile horse?   Straight legs

How old do you think a horse should be when it does it's first one day 100?   At least 6

What do you think is the biggest mistake that you've made on a 100?   Starting on a horse with bad shoeing

What do you think is the biggest mistake that most riders make on a 100?   Not riding their own ride

What traits do you posses that make you a successful 100 mile rider?   I don't get caught up in details

What traits does your horse posses that makes him/her a successful 100 mile horse?   Not wasting energy and taking care of themselves by eating and drinking

Describe something about your current 100 mile horse that is unique or different from other horses?   Good recoveries

What lesson have you learned the hard way, on a 100 mile ride?   Not using enough electrolytes

How many 100's a year do you think is doable for the average horse and rider team?   4 is good 5 is a lot and any more then that is impressive

How much time off following a 100 mile ride do you recommend?   If they are riding to complete?3 to 4 weeks in a pasture
If they are riding competitively?   4 to 6 in a pasture

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