Then it was “On the way to camp!” We had caught up to a couple of riders at
the time, but let them go on ahead. Then we had to let Nelson and Mike pass us,
which was the last time I think we had to eat dust that day. (Although we did
follow them for a mile or so!) Where again we met them at a cattle guard, so
they could open and close the gate for us!! Saving us from having to get off and
feel how sore we were. (Thanks guys! That‘s what pit crewing is all about!) We
then had to road ride for the next four miles or so! We tried to make up some
time since it was all flat, besides the chatter bumps! We trotted along catching
up to the other two riders when I think Max realized where we were and started
trotting faster. I didn’t have a problem with it, because he seemed to be moving
fine. So we rode together for about three miles when the other riders decided to
race for the finish. That’s when Joyce and I decided to hold back and let the
horses walk in.
We got to the finish line and Joyce suggested holding hands and completing at
a tie. Good idea, but the timers wouldn’t allow a tie, so Joyce went ahead and
finished a tenth of a second ahead of me. Which put her in 11 th place and me in
12 th place. (3 rd and 4 th light weights!) We started walking back to where we
could pulse down, when I realized Nelson wasn’t there with my blanket. (And the
one Max was looking forward to!) So Mike calls out his name, which I guess he
heard, because he wasn’t too far behind Aunt Mary with my blanket. So Aunt Mary
put on Max’s blanket and took off his saddle, while I took the blanket from
Nelson and wrapped it around my shoulders. (Didn’t want my shoulders to get cold
and stiffen up… or my back!) Doing all of this, I figured Max’s pulse was down
from walking in and sure enough it was. His pulse was a 52! After Nelson gave me
my blanket, I asked him to do me a favor. He just looked at me like “What now…?”
I said, “Trot Max out as fast as you can, PLEASE…” He asked me why and I
explained to him that he seemed to do better picking up his feet when he went
faster. So sure enough, he looked great. The funny thing was that the vet
noticed and said, “Does wonders, trotting them out faster, he looks great!” And
I think that was the highlight of the ride. The vet thought my horse looked
great at the end. I was pleased with completing the ride, and my horse looked
happy! (I think he was even happier when he saw his buddy at camp!! But that’s a
story for another day!)
And now here we are, on our way home! All of us!! J Even Malik, who is ready to ride another day! I think
all of us are happy with not having to smell sage brush anymore! Aunt Mary and I
wrote some songs for another ride day while we were sitting in the trailer! We
played yatzee and dice. We also stopped to pick up rocks in each state we went
through. (Back to the sage brush) We just went through Nebraska last night, and
I could smell the GRASS. So we all know we’re getting closer to home! In fact,
we’re about 3 hours away from my house!! Woo Who!! Time to go feed my pony! (Bet
he’ll be happy!J ) Later guys!
NOTE FROM MAGGIE: I am so proud of Jenny and Max. I was so worried about her
on the trail alone….it was a beautiful trail but not an easy one by any means!
Jenny and Max are turning into quite the team and I think they will bear
watching in the future. Max will do anything for that girl and Jenny is learning
the strategy and fine points of getting through a ride and meeting her goals
with a sound and healthy horse. Thanks to Joyce for riding with her that last
loop….I knew they would end up together and sure felt better knowing it! I have
posted this for Jenny but I am sure she would be pleased with a note from anyone
inclined to send her one and her address is
j_bruhmuller@xxxxxxxxxxxx
