Top 100 Mile Riders Interviews

Rider Name:   Patti Pizzo
Years in Endurance:   14
# of 100's:   33
Career AERC Mileage:   5580 (thru 2004)
Age that you did your first 100:    44

How is your 100 mile conditioning program different from your 50 mile conditioning program?   I give more time off between 100 then 50 and when I train I ride at least 20 miles

Describe your feeding program, before during and after a 100:   consistent - Pennfield enduro event/local feed mill grain 1/2 1/2 During the ride I offer the normal ration at every vet check with water added and a full bucket of carrots and apples. At times I do offer beet pulp After the 100 everything that is not eaten is put in the pen along with alot of hay and water

What kind (if any) supplements have you used -- do you think they made a difference?   yes - depending on the horse All- glucosamine - Cosequin, one horse Red Cell (blood tested - anemic) another horse weight gainer product from Farnam

How close to the 100 mile ride do you do your last conditioning ride?   no closer then 1 week Last 50 mile ride? one week

How do you prepare yourself for a 100 mile ride? Over what period of time?   myself - riding three horses who compete in 100's conditions me - I always think that how I feel after riding is how my horses feel

How do you know or feel that the time is right to do a 100 on your horse for the first time?    After competing 500 miles successfully and at least 1 -2 day 100 Realizing that each horse is different and some take longer then others

How do you handle riding in the dark? Glowsticks on your tack or not?   Yes - two glowsticks on my running martingale

Headlamps, flashlights (describe). Do you have a preference on color of glowstick?   Small hand held flashlight that always seems to be out of batteries No color preference

How do you and your horse feel at different points in the ride? What are the "low" spots and how do you handle them?    I train to be consistent. I really seem to have a sense of what consistent pace is. I personally want to quit at 60 miles but love it at 75 and are overjoyed at 100 . My horses have generally felt "even" the whole ride once past the initial start of the ride enengy.

Is your post ride horse care any different than a 50 mile ride?   No - the same

Any advice to first time 100 mile riders on post ride rider-recovery?    Make sure that you have forced yourself to Eat and drink all day even if you did not feel like it

What kinds of food and drink do you like on a 100?   Propel, water, cantelope, chocolate cake, Starbucks coffee drink yogurt

What are your recommendations for someone attempting their first 100 miler?    You can do it if you have seriously and consistently prepared yourself and your horse.

How often do you electrolyte on a 100 mile ride? How about pre-ride or post-ride electrolyting?   Pre ride - 1 oz 2 x day for a week or less Morning of the ride 1 oz during the ride 2 oz every vet check, also carry some on trail for the longer or hotter loops

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 the horse and its progress. Most likely close to 500 miles of competition (50) and 2 day 100's - 1 1/2 years

What is your most memorable experience on a 100 miler?   The beauty of my horse.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on a 100?   Soooo many things !

What is your favorite 100 mile ride and why?    I have tried to ride all different places - I have no absolute favorite 100.

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

How old do you think a horse should be when it does it's first one day 100?   7

What do you think is the biggest mistake that you've made on a 100? Tripping over the chain at Old Dominion.

What do you think is the biggest mistake that most riders make on a 100?    Not knowing their own and their horses true capabilities.

What traits do you posses that make you a successful 100 mile rider?    Stubborn and I can entertain myself with my thoughts.

What traits does your horse posses that makes him/her a successful 100 mile horse?    good conformation, eats and drinks well

Describe something about your current 100 mile horse that is unique or different from other horses?    He was cast away in a field with a broken leg after a very successful racing career. He tries to pin his ears and make a face at me but I know he really likes me.

What lesson have you learned the hard way, on a 100 mile ride?    That the chain at Old Dominion is up even if ride management says its not. That scratches suck.

How many 100's a year do you think is doable for the average horse and rider team?   6
If they are riding to complete?   7
If they are riding competitively?   6

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

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