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[RC] Old Pueblo day 2 - Steph TeeterOld Pueblo Day 2 (or Land of a Thousand Gates).Really, I'm quite sure I've never opened (and watched John open) as many gates on a ride as we did yesterday. not that I'm complaining... it was good training. It could have been worse - at least half of them (500+) were small horse-width gates with latches that could be opened and closed on horseback, horse willing. But good grief they must have small grazing lots in that part of the country to have so many fences and gates. But the grass -was- abundant everywhere we rode, and they can certainly manage the pastures better with smaller lots. (compared to the Owyhee country where fences and gates are few and far between... but so is the grass). But - it was a spectacular ride. Lots of single track trail, winding up the mountains and down the mountains. Dirt roads winding through grassy hills, rocky mountain trails - picking the footing, slow enough to appreciate the sweeping vistas. Mountain ranges, foothills covered with last year's grass (still gold and brown) dotted with live oaks, and mesquite, and prickly pear. Juniper, century plant, agave, cedar, ocotillo ... an abundance, a variety. Many oohs and ahs all day. A cool sunny morning, perfect riding temperature. The air had cleared from the previous day's wind and dust. Warm in the afternoon, but never too hot. Really pretty all day. Kevin and Clydea shot up front at the start of the ride, but John and I planned on riding slower. This would be the last ride of the southwest winter tour and the horses have both worked hard and I thought they might be tired. (not). But anyway we decided to take it easy. We pretty much rode mid-pack the first half of the day - a 28 mile loop - gorgeous, but we were ready for lunch when we got there. We negotiated our planned (slower) ride throughout the morning. Mac is hungry. can't he eat while he's walking? Mac needs to rest. can't he rest while he's trotting? I thought you said slow. Isn't this slow? Jaziret was pulling the entire day, which is a wonderful thing in the grand scheme of endurance, but not conducive to slow. It's one thing to go slow on a horse that is content to go slow... but it's very hard on a horse that wants fast. I think we did a pretty good compromise myself! The front runners were still at the hour hold when we got there. Kevin and Clydea both looked happy - moving along in 3rd and 4th place, horses strong. Kevin on Far (and fast), and Clydea on Jim's off-the-track horse Peppy (fast). Kevin said he was holding Far in the entire way. That horse is the border collie of horses - hyper - he even trots back and forth to food/water/shade/rest in the paddock. He's high energy. And so is Kevin... watch out. We had a really nice one hour hold, warm sun, the horses never stopped eating. Then headed out for the 2nd half of the ride. Both horses were really really strong - pushing each other on - and I was hauling on the reins the entire way. We made good time and got back to camp around 3pm - a 7 hour (more or less) ride time over 55 miles. A little faster than what I had anticipated, but a great ride to cap the winter season! Both Mac (300 miles since Jan 10) and Jaziret (350 miles since Jan 10) looked fantastic. Day 3 was supposed to be even prettier - using part of the new 'Arizona Trail. But we couldn't stay for the 3rd day because of other obligations. But - we had 2 good rides and it was a good time to stop. Now the horses will get a good long rest. Sometimes you get the good times! No lameness, no problems (except for Rocky and Rusty who had to stay home from this ride because Rocky managed to cut his eyelid the day before), good weather, good company, it's been a wonderful 2 1/2 months 'down south'. Marilyn and her friends made some really fun and unique awards for this ride. We received Indian 'spears' for top ten yesterday - wooden sticks festooned with beads and feathers and a wooden spear tip - really cute. Just right for a little dance around the fire, shaking the spear in the air, a little coyote yip, and thanking the ride gods for another good one! Steph =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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