Riding throught the deer park gets you up close and personal with the residents! They didn't seem to mind but the ponies weren't quite so sure 
This ride is a lovely ride through the Great Park and the deer park, it is truly wonderful being able to ride through what is effectively the Queens extended back garden! What makes it really special is the fact that the road work is very limited and there are lots of nice long stretches of grass or sand tracks where you can make really good time. I was riding with two of my daughters and a friends daughter who had borrowed Shine, and after having completed a nicely surfaced canter track of about ¾ miles we all agreed that it was probably the longest stretch of uninterrupted canter that any of us had ever done. Even Shine and Tally who are well up for a good run seemed to be wondering when it was going to end! So all in all a ride that I can highly recommend to anyone.
The Crown Estate Office have a lot of restrictions in terms of marking the route, which meant that you had to be sure of your route on the map. We did go wrong on the route and it took us a while to realise this, also Tally was in one of “those moods”. This leads me to a change of tack from a normal ride report to an article explaining a few hard learned words of wisdom from a still quite novice but quickly learning endurance rider.
Confusedus he say:
“When approaching a horse crossing on a busy road, do not assume that your horse will stop simply because there are a lot of cars crossing, as he may be having a particular total buffoon moment.”
- Learning point: Do not get too caught up in the excitement of the ride and always make sure you are in control of your occasionally over excitable and retarded horse. Always be willing to approach any hazard with a lot of caution, even if it seems that you may be reducing your average speed significantly.
Confusedus he say:
“When the route seems to go to the left on the map be not tempted to follow the track to the right simply because it has strips of marker tape on it. For you may find that in fact you are following a route that is displaying the markings of a second loop for a longer ride.”
- Learning point: if you have been following the route correctly and think that you know where you are, trust in yourself and your opinion, or at least check the alternate routes for markers and then reassess. Spending an extra couple of minutes checking the options is better than heading off the wrong way, regardless of how fast you are going!
Confusedus he say:
“When at a point where several routes meet, be not tempted to follow the directions of the very helpful crew of another rider, even though he speaks with great authority. For it may be that he is assuming he knows where you came from and may inadvertently cause you to go the wrong way.”
- Learning point: Again be sure of where you are on the map and be willing to ask more questions in terms of where you are before following a strangers directions. Even if you are not at an official checkpoint but there is someone in a car that seems to be looking out for riders, they are probably involved with the event and may well be willing to confirm whereabouts you are on the route map.
Confusedus he say:
“Once you realise that you have gone wrong, panic not that you will run out of time to complete the route. You will probably be able to correct the error and still make it back in time.”
- Learning point: If you have followed the classic tactic of going out fast in order to be able to come in slower (thereby reducing the horses heart rate at the finish) then you should have plenty of contingency time to make amendments to your route and still finish on time.
- Second learning point: If like me you have minimum and maximum route timings on a post it note stuck on you map, then remember to check this again at this point. Before getting into despair you may well realise that you have more than enough time in hand to correct any mistakes and complete the ride in time.
So in summary this was a great ride and we will definitely be doing it next year. It was also a very good
Spectacular views down the avenue to Windsor Castle.
reminder of why you need to have a good understanding of the route map and trust in your instincts in terms of where you think the route should go.
