Endurance Goals for 2009

I've been thinking about what it is I want to accomplish this next year with Jasper.  It's been a little complicated because I'm having to plan my fourth year schedule already, and most of the ride calendars have not been released yet.  However, I got around some of that by contacting a couple of my ride manager friends and have a few preliminary dates down for next year.  My main goal for this year is to finish, and to do so in a steady, sane manner.  Jasper is definitely old enough to be competing, but I want this first year of rides to be steady and fun for him.  He's been under saddle and worked consistently since he was 4, but none of that was endurance work, so building a really solid base is important for him.

Fandango (or whatever it will be called next year), May 21-24th:  For this ride, I'd like to arrive on Wednesday or Thursday and do an easy 25 mile on Friday or Saturday and potentially a trail ride on another day.  This will be Jasper's first horse camping experience, and I want to give him plenty of time to settle in and relax with all the activity around him.  He had a few days of transition when he moved to my barn, as he'd be pastured with one other horse at a private residence.  He's settled in now, but I don't want to risk a problem with riding too soon upon arrival.

Pink Flamingo, July 24-26th OR July 31st-August 2nd (depends on hatchet throwing competition):  I would really, really like to do two days at this ride.  It's so beautiful, and I think a back to back 30 and 25 mile would gage how well Jasper could handle a 50 either later in the season or next season.  There's rumor of Sally making this ride a 3-day, which would be really great (but we'd only do two days!).

After this, I don't have plans.  I figured I'd sprinkle in the odd ride when I could manage, schedule-wise.  I definitely wanted to do those two, and have arranged my schedule as such.  Once this next year is over with, the sky's the limit and Jasper and I can hit the trails hard-core!