This was one of the best managed rides I have attended. Huge
congrats to the entire team for this one! The vet checks ran like clockwork,
water everywhere you wanted it and hay for the horses to eat. The trail marking
was superb which I always really appreciate!
The ride was a dual AERC/FEI and the two ran together seamlessly.
The vets where all wonderful, strict and kind and I am thankful to them all. I
like having CRI’s done and I don’t really mind stripping tack. Yes,
I know one can do these by themselves at rides, however it is almost impossible
to do a CRI by yourself at a ride. I have found having this bit of information
useful in learning more about my horse and am grateful for the extra few seconds
it takes to git-r done!
The trails where mostly soft jeep roads or old rail road
type grades all soft footing. Miles and miles straight out and turn and come
back. I did see many interesting sights though; from hissing burrowing owls just
feet from the trail (and so much smaller than the av-r-age owl), snakes, riders
with pink ipods blasting rock music cantering down the trail with a huge smile
and views of stunning mountains. Like any ride a few things less than wonderful;
about 15 old blue Wal-Mart type kids’ wading pools blown through
the desert (my horse did not care about them by the last one, lol).
All in all this was a wonderful event. I rode my incredible
horse on his first 75 and he is a star. He ate, drank; was eager and forward
all day with a finishing CRI of 44/44! I just love this little horse and look
forward to our next adventure down the trail. We rode the first 50 miles with Kevin Myers who was riding his horse on the horse’s
first 100: they finished strong!). We had a blast; horses went perfectly
together and we had many laughs along the way.
Thank you again to vets, Michelle Roush and all the
volunteers for a wonderful day!
