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Whaddon Chase Pony Club Merlin Endurance Ride

A second successful Merlin Endurance Ride for Whaddon Chase Pony Club
 
On 20th August 2005 the Whaddon Chase branch of the Pony Club ran the second of its series of Merlin Endurance Rides. Whilst this ride is only 5 miles long it has to be completed within a strict time frame, with riders being required to complete the ride at a speed of between 5 and 6 mph. Riders are also required to navigate the route using a map, which needless to say can present difficulties, when also riding at a brisk pace in an unfamiliar area! All this makes the Merlin ride excellent practice for anyone contemplating competing in Endurance at higher levels and yet at 5 miles it is achievable by quite young members (we set the limit at 9yrs and safe off the lead in company).
 
One of the other advantages is that this type of event is suitable for a wide range of members - it does not require a horse with a huge jump or fantastic dressage paces.  At this event you can compete on a even footing with your peers no matter what the size/ability/type of you or your pony.  Even better for all us Pony Club mums and dads - we can take part too by accompanying our children on the ride (much more fun than waiting on the finish line biting your nails or reciting the dressage test under your breath as you stand by at a one day event!)  All the adults who rode with Whaddon Chase were treated as competitors and received awards as well as their children.  One mum said how thrilled she was by this as she had never had the chance to be part of Pony Club as a child herself.
 
The route chosen for this ride used part of the dedicated network of bridleways in Milton Keynes, circumnavigating Willen Lake and  following the Grand Union canal for part of the route.  The ride involved virtually no roadwork, passing for the most part through woods and parkland.  With the agreement of the Milton Keynes Parks Trust we were able to use on of their car parks as a venue and the route was stewarded at several points by willing mums and dads.
 
This event was greatly enjoyed by all who participated and we are now planning to run 10 mile Kestrel rides next year as well as further Merlin level rides for those who haven’t yet had a chance to try it or who feel that 5 miles is enough!
 
For the information of any other branches interested in running one of these events - All riders were issued with a number and as they passed each checkpoint text messages with the relevant numbers were sent back to the secretary at the start.  This enabled us to keep track of the riders and was intended to alert us quickly to any problems.  All competitors rode in groups of 2-5 and each group had at least one mobile phone for emergencies.  Riders under 14 had to be accompanied by an adult and all riders were told that in the event of difficulties they should if possible make their way to the nearest checkpoint where the secretary would be contacted for advice.  As it was a hot day horses and riders were offered water to drink and “slosh” bottles to cool them down with at the halfway point and at the finish.  The Merlin level as defined by Pony Club rules consists of two five mile rides so we split the event into two classes - Qualifier ride for first timers and Finalist for those who had already passed one ride.  We gave rosettes to all qualifiers and medals to finalists along with the certificates provided FOC by HQ.  (The medals went down VERY well) All riders who passed their first ride were issued with a ride log sheet which is specific to the pony/rider combination and must be presented at subsequent rides to prove qualification etc.