Chicken Chase ~ Music

[JANUSSTUDIO@aol.com]

Chicken Chase 2001


Impressions of the first ride of the season for us.
First of all, I was so happy that this first ride had finally arrived. With 
such a long cold winter, my planed conditioning for some early rides went out 
the window. It was very disheartening to keep marking of the rides I had 
really wanted to go to. Anyway, Spring has arrived at last, and I finally got 
to get in a few conditioning rides, so that I thought we could do one of the 
Chicken Chase 25 LD without a problem. And we did.  
As usual, rides run here at Bill Wilson's are smooth and happy affairs. Amy 
Whelan did her usual competent job with a smile, and everyone else involved 
in Management ticked along just like an expensive watch. Smooth, smooth, 
smooth. . . Well marked trails, good food, good vets, good timing, good P/R 
management, happy faces all around. Even the weather was the best!
Just have to watch yourself, when Bill tells you you only have one hill on 
the ten mile loop. Well, there may be more than one hill, but it is only ‘THE 
ONE HILL' you remember when you've done it both ways. <g> I understand the 
fifty milers had to face more than ‘THE ONE HILL' on a loop we 25ers didn't 
have to do. Whew. . .Those steep switch backs can be mean. I truly admire 
those willing and able to get off and climb it on foot.  However, I knew when 
I got off to go down it the first time, my guy would have to carry me back up 
it on the way back. Fortunately, Rider eventually forgives me, with a little 
time and a few carrots.
Since we were going along at not much more than NATRC speed, and mostly rode 
by ourselves, I had time to let my left brain have free rein. So, whenever 
you may pass us - (the tall woman on a big Paint), and you notice the smile 
and far off look in my eyes, don't worry, it's just my left brain at work. <g>
Musings of the music, on Chicken Chase:
Worries and anxiety float away when once we are on the trail.
Horses moving fast, ready, eager to give you that thrill.
Spreading out, finding the niche, finding the speed.
Settling down in a good steady rhythm, muscles elastic, moving easy.
Breaths sucking deep, ears pointing ahead, hooves striking steady- steady, 
onward- onward, marking off the miles.
Long wooded trails undulating before us, then turning, then dipping down, 
down hard, then the merciless climb back up. 
Heart pounding, breath coming dear, and yet onward we go, straining for that 
next foothold.
Then once again on the blessed flat, with muscles flexing easy again.
I notice then, there is more music to be heard besides the tune my horse is 
playing for me. It's all around, sometimes soft and muted, sometimes loud and 
booming.
It's the tall, tall trees, swaying in the breeze. 
It's the trees as they lean and moan against each other like lovers in the 
sky.
Yes, it's the wind strumming, cooling, sometimes wet, sometimes dry, and 
always the trees moaning in the sky.