As some of you will be new to this, and others will be very, very rusty, we thought it was a good idea to share a few pointers about what to expect before, during, and after a ride.

• Rides are announced on the website, but don’t usually open for entries until a month before the ride date. Entries are online and paid for with Paypal.
  
  
• There are NO refunds, under ANY circumstances – sorry! (If the club has to cancel, we give you a ride credit).
  
  
• About a week before the ride the map and talkround and venue details will magically appear on the website. Please download these and print them out. (The ride organiser might have a small supply of spares, but you can’t rely on that.)
  
  
• On the day of the ride, please check the website to make sure nothing dreadful has happened affecting the ride/venue/volunteers and that is all going ahead as planned.
  
  
• On arrival at the venue, there will be a happy, smiling person who will tell you where to park.
  
  
• Report into the ride secretary and pick up your number bib and learn of any late-breaking news.
  
  
• When tacked up and ready, report to the secretary who will officially start you off and make a note of your departure time.
  
  
• Please aim to ride at a minimum of 4mph/6.4 kph – if you know you’re a leisurely rider please aim to start early! (nothing is more dispiriting for fatigued ride organisers and volunteers than waiting an extra couple of hours for a straggler to reappear).
  
  
• On your return, smile at the organisers, hand in your bib, collect your rosette and drive home tired but fulfilled.

We try to mark the rides as best we can but we can’t always guarantee that. There are many wondrous devices that can help you keep on track. If you subscribe to OS maps and download the app to your phone, you can plot the route onto it in advance and then instantly see if you’re lost! We would definitely recommend that you download ‘what 3 words’ so that you can always be found. Another good idea is an Apple tag or similar for your saddle, so we can find your horse if they decide to go solo.

Finally – be nice, be kind, and then harassed and stressed out ride organisers will do their best to be nice and be kind in return!