Ridecamp: [RC] Klickitat Trek story(Sorry/not Tevis!)

Ash is a new horse, (1 year) new under saddle (6 months)
and has never been ridden with more than 2 other horses at
a time. I ride quite a bit, lots of hills and although I
had a nasty fall in the end of June and didn't ride much in
July, I thought he'd be fine. Our first ride was Klickitat
Trek and planned on a slow and easy 25. Got to camp on Wed.
(I wanted him to see the camp fill up, not arrive at a full
and hyped up camp.) He's still green as grass and spooks
rather easily at times. He picket lined like a pro, I let
the lead line slide for more room and he figured out quick
how not to get wrapped around the tree. He ate and drank
like his usual piggy self. I discovered he likes to take a
bite and dip it in his water bucket every 3rd or 4th bite.
(That's how all that hay gets in the water trough at home!)
Wed. night we rode an easy 10 miles to get him used to
riding in a new environment. Rode with my friend and the
gal who trained Ash. (She helps Marilyn put on the ride, if
you were there, it's Leanne, she was riding around camp in
either an electric scooter or being pulled in a cart by her
pinto stud, or busy shoeing horses.) Thurs. and Fri. two
small rides just to keep him loosened up. 

Sat. AM (ride morning) ride starts at 7:30 (49 entrants I
think) and we leave about 7:50 with my friend and her horse
who has done this before. First section we are trotting
along, nice pace, very steady and not crazy which I was
grateful for, crossing water there is a fellow there who's
mare will not cross, he gets off and leads her across. Next
water crossing, she also won't cross, there are a few
riders stopping to drink and/or giving her a chance to calm
down and decide. Our only unsportsmanlike conduct was seen
here, a 50 miler approached telling everyone to clear the
way, not a "please" out of her. We rode with the mare who
didn't like to cross, and his rider, a very nice gentleman
named Jim. Trucking right along, we came into the vet check
(we walked the last 1/4 mile) and Leanne was there to see
"our" boy and pulse him in. He was at a 48!!!!!!!!!! She
said "boy, you have been riding him, haven't you?!!!") I
asked her where she thought we were in place (this wasn't
something I was concerned about, just curiosity seeing as
how we passed some people having problems at water, loose
horse, etc. - she said she thought in the 20's which
sounded about right and was a goal to be mid pack and
finish with lots of horse left.) He vetted through fine, 30
min. break, ate everything in sight, drank and we left
maybe a few min. after we could have. Getting hotter now so
I followed my ridecamp advice and trotted in the sun and
walked in the shade. At the finish, he pulsed in at a 56
almost immediately, vetted through with all A's and a B for
gut sounds. Went back to picket line and ate and ate and
ate. Never stocked up, looked like he could have done
another 10 mile loop, felt like it too. He did AWESOME and
I'm so proud of him. About 1/2 mile from the finish I
started thinking about his life and I only wish more horses
had his start, he got to live in a herd for 5 years,
minimal human handling of any kind and his first experience
with a trainer and farrier (same person) were the ultimate
in positive! And here he is, going from virtually wild 1
year ago to camping with 150 +/- horses, dogs, motorcycles
and motorscooters, horses pulling carts, tarps and tents
flapping in the wind, picket lines, trailering, etc. and he
took it all in stride. I was so proud that every time I
think about it I get teary-eyed. He's already an amazing
horse, and although this isn't a Tevis story, it is the
most special to me! 

Oh yeah, we finished 11th without even trying. I was
stunned and even prouder of my new boy!

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Heidi-aerc#M20935  /\_/\~    http://www.synjinarts.com
                 ~~/~~  \\~~~~   (Wildlife/Western & Equine
                  /   O> ) \~~~~~    Art)
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