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Top 100 Mile Rider Interviews
Rider Name: Suzanne Hayes Age that you did your first 100 at: 18 years old How is your 100 mile conditioning program different from
your 50 mile Describe your feeding program, before during and after a
100: I feed a good quality grass hay
(with 10% alfalfa), Purina grains, beet pulp, & Vits. During a 100 I will give them a variety of
all of the above. It seems most of my
horses really like soaked Complete Advantage and hay the best. What kind (if any) supplements have you used -- do you
think they made a difference? Throughout
my many years in endurance riding I have tried lots of supplements. There is no noticeable difference in most of
them, but it certainly makes you feel like you have your bases covered if you
use them logically in your feeding program.
I do have to say though that Platinum Performance is my preferred
supplement and it does seem to make a difference in hair/coat quality as well
as perhaps an increase in energy level. How close to the 100 mile ride do you do your last
conditioning ride? How do you prepare yourself for a 100 mile ride?
Over what period of How do you know or feel that the time is right to do a
100 on your horse for the first time? I
normally wait till it is the 3rd year of a horse's endurance career
but have had horses that are ready before that. How do you handle riding in the dark? Glowsticks on your
tack or not? Headlamps, flashlights
(describe). Do you have a preference on color of glowstick? The only light I use are glowsticks
attached to the breastcollar. I will
carry a mag flashlight but only for double-checking corners or to verify trail
ribbons. No preference on the
color. Guess I tend to have access to
the green ones. How do you and your horse feel at different points in
the ride? What are the "low" spots and how do you handle them? Since 100's are by far my ride of choice, I
don't necessarily have very many low spots.
Guess that maybe would apply though if I was having some kind of a
problem with my horse, then the miles tend to go very slowly! Is your post ride horse care any different than a 50
mile ride? No, I am very particular
on how my horse is handled after any ride, doesn't matter the distance. Any advice to first time 100 mile riders on post ride
rider-recovery? Enjoy every ache and
pain, you earned it!! Isn't it great to
be able to tell everyone in your "real life", Yea, I rode 100 miles last
weekend! What kinds of food and drink do you like on a 100? Powerade, bananas, yogurt. What are your recommendations for someone attempting
their first 100 How often do you electrolyte on a 100 mile ride? How
about pre-ride or How many 50 mile rides would you do on a horse prior to
doing his first What is your most memorable experience on a 100
miler? Probably the Tevis in
1972. It was my first endurance ride
and first 100 and I had just turned 18 so I didn't have to ride with a
sponsor. I finished 50th and
in the middle of the night. Wore
Wrangle jeans, black rubber knee-high jodpur boots, and an old flat English
saddle. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on a
100? See above (in a grim sort of
way…..) What is your favorite 100 mile ride and why? The Tevis is my favorite ride because it
takes strategy, a good horse, and a lot of luck to be able to do well there. What do you look for in a good 100 mile horse? Substance, good forward attitude, propensity
for soundness. How old do you think a horse should be when it does its
first one day 100? 7 years old What do you think is the biggest mistake that you've
made on a 100? Which one? There are many I'm sure. Would probably have to be riding a horse on
a 100 that wasn't ready for it. What do you think is the biggest mistake that most
riders make on a 100? Feeling like
they HAVE to take 24 hours to finish their first one. What traits do you posses that make you a successful 100
mile rider? Positive attitude, love
to ride. What traits does your horse posses that makes him/her a
successful 100 mile horse? See
above….. Describe something about your current 100 mile horse
that is unique or different from other horses?
He just has that look in his eye of confidence. Loves to be on the trail and is extremely
graceful. What lesson have you learned the hard way, on a 100 mile
ride? To keep focused on your horse
and what he is telling you every step of the way. How many 100's a year do you think is doable for the
average horse and rider team? 5 to 8
depending on the length of your season
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