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[RC] Wild West DELIGHT - shermanTitle: MessageI totally agree,
wonderful ride with some great new sections of trail to keep it interesting. One
correction though, no redwoods in the forest there, those huge beautiful
old trees are cedars and firs. I did notice that they looked quite
similar to the redwoods though.
I borrowed a
friend's horse and did 30 miles the first day (then pulled) and completed the 50
the 2nd. The pull was due to Markova not recovering because of mental anxiety. I
had to make him go slow because a stirrup broke completely off after about 10
miles. He'd be fine for awhile, a nice smooth 5.5-6mph jog, then someone would
pass and he'd start pulling and bouncing 'til I had to pull him back to a 4mph
walk. He put up with that for about 17 miles, and was just a mental wreck by the
time we got back to camp so didn't pulse down. The next day, I rode him like I
stole him (that's what he's used to) and we came in 8th without any issues. Just
goes to show that sometimes holding a horse back too much is worse than moving
out with them and can give you a completely false sense of their ability.
I also had the pleasure of riding with a junior, Zack, on his nice
little mare, Sassy, they came in 7th place and first junior! Good job Zack!!
And a big THANKS to
the Ribleys for a wonderful ride this year.
Kathy...who will buy
a small pair of stirrups to carry along from now on. My shin is still sore and
swollen from all the stress of trying to balance with one stirrup on a bouncing
horse for so many miles.
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