Trails were lovely today and the sun was shining. Our trail buddy was very tolerant of trotting up his butt, as I had little control with my phone in hand. I was lucky to not drop my gloves or phone in my filming sequences.
As the summer camp theme and brilliant weather continues, I went on two very different trails today with different people. I also downloaded the app Horse Globe on my phone and so far the results are brilliant. Im anxious to see what I can get my top speed to, but for now Im trying to stay safe and in the saddle. Parked and waiting for tack. My butt contusion is sprouting rainbow colours from my tailbone towards my hip. Im still trying to figure out the sequence of motions that had me fall butt first on the inside of the turn. I remember having knocked my nose, but cant remember if it was on his neck as he slammed the brakes and spun, or if it was on his shoulder as I fell down. Today was the second time I rode post fall, and it was a good day. The first ride was with M and her chunky paint. It was a more sedate ride but Im convinced we still rode longer and faster than she originally intended, only because she knew I was tracking it on my app. We even cantered for ... 10 st...
Annual Trail Rides: 101/200 (Bareback 3/12) I arrived at the barn to find Q buried in a big pile of fresh hay with his best buddy Chester. He was in no rush to see me as his pile of hay was being topped up by more hay ... but he came regardless and I felt like he was striding better in the driveway and the barn aisle. He had done a real number on himself, rolling in the heavy sand, and literally looked like Pig Pen with a cloud of dust everywhere. I decided to wash him first, fix his feet, ears, and bridal path ... and if he still looked good we might stroll out on a bareback ride. Well, it all turned out right. We manoeuvred around the hay wagons and piles, hopped on and took some tentative steps towards the trailhead. By the time we were on the trails, Qs natural walking stride was back. Thank goodness! We meandered around the trails and Q even gave me some big bold trotting. He was a bit tentative when roots were underfoot but I tried to navigate around those. Overall I was pleased ...
Being a citygirl with my horse out in the country has its benefits and drawbacks. With a two-hour commute back and forth I don't make light of my decision to "go to the barn". I have become a fair weather rider, and I rely on the barn team to compensate for my absence when it happens. I do manage to get out to the barn 3-4 times a week in all seasons and almost every trip includes at least an hour ride. On average this makes for a 5-6 hour commitment when I go. So, when the weather channel announces heavy rain, strong winds, blizzards or scorching heat ... whether for road conditions or just my forecasted lack of enjoyment, I often decide to stay home. Every once in a while the weather channel gets it wrong, and sometimes I just decide to chance it. Even when I get back sopping wet, Im never disappointed for having gone on a ride. Especially with Q. He makes me smile and giggle every single time. What a keeper! Aside from a great barn environment, and adorable horse, and ...
I lost my trail buddy this weekend. It’s not clear how much was determined by the ongoing barn drama. He packed his stuff and moved to another barn within 24 hours. So, I am sad. No doubt that having an activity buddy helps keep us motivated, and gets our butts in the saddle more often than not. Now, I feel alone. That our horses and our riding styles were so in sync makes the transition much more difficult. How will I find another trail buddy that is so compatible? This probably marks the beginning of a new chapter of riding solo. I do love riding my horse solo and not having to negotiate pace, direction, detours with anyone. Big bonus is that my Q is just as good alone. Add caption I might need some external motivation like one of those wearable gadgets that track pace, elevation, etc. Something that would push me to go further, ride harder, discover new trails. This week we have our exciting clinic to “despook, the mounted police way”. And soon after that Ill be off fo...
I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone's decade retrospective, sparked by May as Well Event Picture Challenge . I have loved reading the history of blogs I have been following, and have added a few more to the mix. But it sure was a challenge to find some good pictures from those early years. 2010 seems so long ago, given how much my life has changed in these few years. It was a ho-hum year, with lots of work stress, and riding with my mom and our two palominos (my first mare on the left, and her son on the right). We logged lots of trail miles and I convinced my mom to do some local showing with me, including a pairs class. Note the Elvis outfits for our pairs pleasure class. Hilarious! 2011 is most notably marked by my meeting my husband-to-be and us spontaneously being engaged within 3 months and married within 6 months on the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. We had a lovely honeymoon and wedding trip on the islands and New Zealand and became quite fond of the isl...
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