sponsered ride...help!

[giftgirl]

the local yard near me are doing a sponsered ride sometime this month and my mum says we should do it.
i reallyreally want to, but i get the feeling that my nerves are going to get the better of me, as there will be a lot of horses (i guess) doing the ride
any tips on what i should do?
pleasseee
giftgirl xx

[kya]

First of all, being with another rider like your Mum, will all but guarantee a safe ride, so try to relax about that. If they divide the ride up into fast and slow, go with the potterers. Chances are after an hour your horse will start to tire and settle down. It is a great opportunity for you both.

[wozzer]

Echo Kanga. Have a great time and let us know how you get on. xx

[cesca]

I LOVE sponsored/pleasure/fun rides, they are the absolute best so you should definitely go, both you and your horse will love it. Agree with Kanga in everything she has said. Also make sure you don't ride her any differently to how you normally do, and she won't behave any differently to your normal hacking. Have a wonderful time!

[Susan]

Normally on sponcered rides, you are set off in groups, so you are not on top of each other. You can ask that only you and your Mum are in your group to feel safer and most of all enjoy it without feeling worried. Dont feel intimidated by the yard say you and your Mum are going round on your own.
I have done 3 of them and I am the most worried person in the world! I am full of the what if's.
But the ones I have done I have done all of the jumps! finishing with a grin like a Chesire cat wanting to go back and do it all over again. All usually all of the jumps if there are any on this one will always be optional. That is the fun of a sponcered ride.

[alfie]

have a wonderful time, and make sure you enjoy the surroundings its so nice to get off road, don't know how your ride is set up but if we go on a fun ride we whait until quite late so not so many horses passing you, and all the wizzy kids are already finished , i get nervous before fun rides but always come back full of smile's at what we have acheived. also going with your mum will help you a great deal support wise, i always go with a friend i can trust, and we have a great time.
let us know all about it.

[berylsmum]

Go for it! I went on my first sponsered ride this month and was terrified. I would suggest asking for a late start time, thats what we did so there weren't loads of people overtaking us. If my nerves completely overtake me when out I just jump off and walk for a few minutes. I did the same on the ride and everything went really well. The feeling when you get over the finish line is fantastic, you will be so glad you have done it.

[em&ed]

I have never done one but my friends are always going and they love it! I think you have some great advice here and I would definitely agree with a later start so you are not being overtaken - have fun and let us know how you get on

[giftgirl]

my mum still hasnt decided whether we are goingto do it because it is 8 miles or 12 miles. i am trying to pursuade her that 8 miles is not that far
It is on the 21st of april so i will let you know whether we are going to do itsome time this week.
thanks for all the advice
giftgirlxx