Well they told me I could go, I was the last scribe left and only a few riders were out, the 100's I think. I went back to camp,I'd planned to ride Rascal down one of the trails for an hour or so, just to let him see the world so to speak.Well I was very tired and almost didn't. But I saddled up and rode him in circle a bit, boy was he ready to go.I''d lounged him some, and he'd been handwalked , but being tied up all day and night wasn't the norm for him. I decided to walk across the bridge. He had his nose on the ground like a dog, either he was sniffing the tracks of other horses or it was because he hadn't walked on asphalt before , (well once for 20 feet).He was calling for his new friends(I told him , they were just aquaintences as he hadn't gotten closer than 20 feet to any of them.) I walked a ways (which I do at home too), knowing he was going to be a hanful, andand this road sure looked hard. Found a mounting place, ie. 1 ft. hump by side of road. Got on ,and away he went, I tried to keep him at a medium trot, we spooked at the black water by the side of the road.He wanted to go all out, I let him canter some(he wanted to run)but we are still at the cantering up slopes to learn balance stage. We came by the lakes , but I think we were nearing a pump station, it got louder and he got more and more nervous, his rider began to have thoughts of the hardness of the ground, so I chickened out and began to return back to camp. He called again and really wanted to move, Can a horse be Trailer sour?:) I rode a bit, then decided to walk the last 1/2 mile(like I do at home too). I'd enjoyed the day, but was a bit discouraged with his behavior. I started to go to bed early, but forgot my Stethiscope so dressed and went to get it , then struck up a conversation with another new rider, and found my horse wasn't the only nutty one around( 3. Wished I'd had more time to socialize, not a great extrovert,but I try to be nice.) Another night in the tent. Put tarp on as heard rain was coming. Woke again as rigs started to move out early, (Raindrops are louder on tarp than on rainfly).Husband got up to put horse in gooseneck as there was lightning,(5. not good idea, he started jumping around), put horse back out in rain, he was fine. Stayed in tent. Husband insisted on making breakfast burritos in screen tent.Husband disappointed ,that sleepless wife didn't want breakfast burritos. Finally guilt fostered by husband made me get up and start packing up tent. (6 Packing up tent in rain is not fun, next time, start at first thunder.) Had visions of the mess I'd have to clean up when we got home. Opening dressing room door and tossing everything in wet did not make a pretty picture. Reflections,learned alot, was awed by many.. But need advice on how to get sleep. I may take a benadryl next time as it makes me real sleepy. Not being a 'druggie", but really think the rest thing is important. Maybe earplugs too. I think the #2 son, zipping and unzipping his sleeping bag, repetitively didn't help.
Well got home, Daughter saw the Talledeaga pleasure ride option(12 miles) and decided to try it, too on her Tb(hunter, eventer) and will give Rascal a buddy and a new trail and a doable ride, while getting him ready for Camp Osborne 'Boy Scout pow,wow in Jan . for his first 25.So we rushed our entries in. Also heard Rogetr Rittenhouse was ther ,but never got to meet him. Heard his name, though at awards. Hi Roger, missed meeting you. I was with the vets scribbling(really).
Congradualtions to all, Laurieand Rascal(Paul, Ellery the famous, Wesley the younger)
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