Ride to Time, or Speed to Safety, is learning how to ride at a certain pace, and judge how fast your horse is traveling.
Pony Club riders need to know this when competing in show jumping or eventing. If you go too slow in a showjump ring or on a cross country course, you will get time faults.
Jockeys and track work riders need to know how fast they are travelling as a trainer may ask for ‘15 secs per furlong (200m)’ in training.
So if you are competing and also thinking of a career in the racing industry, there’s two good reasons to learn how to ride to time!
Racing SA is working with Pony Club SA to provide the opportunity to practice “Ride To Time” at the racecourse, where we have a clear 1000m markers for riders to practice learning how to judge pace.
Riders have one practice run before attempting the competition time. Rider closest to required speed (timed) is the winner – or just have fun!
Safety is the key motivator behind the Speed to Safety program, just as safety dominates the procedures for any Pony Club activity.
For more information on Ride to Time days please contact Clare Lindop (clindop@racingsa.com.au).