FEIF Virtual Ride - HOW CAN I JOIN IN?
Participating is easy. Here are a few very simple rules:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
When the weather is bad, can I convert and use the rounds I have ridden indoors, or on the oval track? - No! The whole point of this initiative is to reward riders who ride out from A to B (or from A via B, back to A.) Bad weather happens everywhere! Good training is the foundation for all riding, whether that be on the oval track, in the dressage square or endurance riding. So of course, we all need to continue with schooling. But this particular initiative is about riding out with all its facets. Apart from enjoyment, sharing with friends and getting some wind into our horses' manes - in many countries riding out also has a political dimension and is about social awareness. Exploring new routes, co-operating with other road users, whether they be car drivers, dog sledders or mountain bikers, keeping access to nature open - and sometimes just providing an alternative entertainment to the duck feeders in the park. All of this makes riding out important in it's own right. And it is better not to mix things up. Happy tölting - wind and all!
Does riding with a hand horse (ponying) count? – Yes, if you ride with one (or more) handhorse(s), the following applies: each handhorse counts for half the distance again, so if you ride 10 km, plus taking a hand horse you can submit 15km, with two handhorses it would be 20km, etc.
I have to lead the horse, rather then ride it, do the kms count? – Yes, if you take you horse for a proper walk and not just to and from the field (young horse, recovering from injury, the weather is very bad, or any other circumstances), the walked km count.
Can the teams be international, and with members from more than one country? Yes - of course! Apart from the beloved horse itself, international friendship is one of the best aspects of the Icelandic horse world. Average distances for any team are calculated from the individual distances from home to the final destination. Members of any one team should use the same principle for calculating the average distance for all team members. Maximum number of riders per group is 10 for Europe, and unlimited for participants from other continents. Every group must have a name, be registered here, and no rider may be a member of more than one group.
I have / my team has reached the destination months / weeks / days in advanced of the of opening of the event. Is that the end? – No, teams who have reached their target before the beginning of the Championships should continue riding and recording their distance. The ridden km can then be used to support groups from further afield, particularly from North America, Australia and New Zealand.
- Register here. You may choose a nickname for yourself (or your horse) by which you want to be listed.
- Use luftlinie.org or similar to find the total distance between home and your destination. You may choose the direct distance - as the crow flies - or a land based route using real roads. This depends on the distance from your home and the destination, your likely progress and the target that you want to set for yourself, or your team. Members of any one team should use the same principle for calculating the average distance for all team members.
- Starting on 9th August 2020, keep a record of every km (!) that you ride out on one (or any) of your Icelandic horses, and send a regular update using the update form - here. NOTE: no other form of submission is accepted (for example no emails, or fb messages)
- At the beginning of every calendar month your progress will be updated here. Of course, all km ridden in endurance rides, TREC or similar events count, and your distance does not need to be verified by an outside person, or organisation - every ridden km out in the country side gets you closer to the World Championships!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
When the weather is bad, can I convert and use the rounds I have ridden indoors, or on the oval track? - No! The whole point of this initiative is to reward riders who ride out from A to B (or from A via B, back to A.) Bad weather happens everywhere! Good training is the foundation for all riding, whether that be on the oval track, in the dressage square or endurance riding. So of course, we all need to continue with schooling. But this particular initiative is about riding out with all its facets. Apart from enjoyment, sharing with friends and getting some wind into our horses' manes - in many countries riding out also has a political dimension and is about social awareness. Exploring new routes, co-operating with other road users, whether they be car drivers, dog sledders or mountain bikers, keeping access to nature open - and sometimes just providing an alternative entertainment to the duck feeders in the park. All of this makes riding out important in it's own right. And it is better not to mix things up. Happy tölting - wind and all!
Does riding with a hand horse (ponying) count? – Yes, if you ride with one (or more) handhorse(s), the following applies: each handhorse counts for half the distance again, so if you ride 10 km, plus taking a hand horse you can submit 15km, with two handhorses it would be 20km, etc.
I have to lead the horse, rather then ride it, do the kms count? – Yes, if you take you horse for a proper walk and not just to and from the field (young horse, recovering from injury, the weather is very bad, or any other circumstances), the walked km count.
Can the teams be international, and with members from more than one country? Yes - of course! Apart from the beloved horse itself, international friendship is one of the best aspects of the Icelandic horse world. Average distances for any team are calculated from the individual distances from home to the final destination. Members of any one team should use the same principle for calculating the average distance for all team members. Maximum number of riders per group is 10 for Europe, and unlimited for participants from other continents. Every group must have a name, be registered here, and no rider may be a member of more than one group.
I have / my team has reached the destination months / weeks / days in advanced of the of opening of the event. Is that the end? – No, teams who have reached their target before the beginning of the Championships should continue riding and recording their distance. The ridden km can then be used to support groups from further afield, particularly from North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Disclaimer
All responsibility for the content of this website rests with Gundula Sharman. Any comments to clarify the procedures or to improve the site are welcome.
Riders, please note that this is a virtual ride, and neither FEIF nor Gundula Sharman will be held liable for any incident that may occur to riders, horses or the public whilst you are participating in this initiative.
Privacy: The main flow of communication will be by email between the organiser and the rider directly. Individual and team results are published on the monthly scoreboard of this internet site, and on the facebook page. If you want to remain anonymous, please make use of the nickname facility on the registration form. By submitting your details, you consent to having your data kept for the purpose of participating in the FEIF Virtual Ride.
By act of registration you agree to have your name (or nickname) published on this and other relevant sites on the internet, and that the data you shared will be kept for the purpose of participating in the FEIF Virtual Ride. (Terms and conditions of facebook may apply.) The organiser reserves the right to use some of your photos posted on the Facebook Group for promotional purposes.
Riders, please note that this is a virtual ride, and neither FEIF nor Gundula Sharman will be held liable for any incident that may occur to riders, horses or the public whilst you are participating in this initiative.
Privacy: The main flow of communication will be by email between the organiser and the rider directly. Individual and team results are published on the monthly scoreboard of this internet site, and on the facebook page. If you want to remain anonymous, please make use of the nickname facility on the registration form. By submitting your details, you consent to having your data kept for the purpose of participating in the FEIF Virtual Ride.
By act of registration you agree to have your name (or nickname) published on this and other relevant sites on the internet, and that the data you shared will be kept for the purpose of participating in the FEIF Virtual Ride. (Terms and conditions of facebook may apply.) The organiser reserves the right to use some of your photos posted on the Facebook Group for promotional purposes.
Note: This event is not a race.
Focus on our own achievements - and those of your team.
It is the ride that matters! Then we can all be champions! Have fun!
Focus on our own achievements - and those of your team.
It is the ride that matters! Then we can all be champions! Have fun!