Riding Far Fast

These are some photos of Far and his girlfriend, Dream, that Leslie Spitzer took


I've started moving Far up to a slightly increased speed and we're both really enjoying it. I've spent the last year and a half holding him in, which creates a great deal of up along with the along, if you get my drift.

So starting with the beginning of Grand Canyon ride and at each of his training rides since, I've been letting him move out. It's not that he goes from a trot to a fast trot to a canter to a gallop - he seems to be happiest at about 9 or 9.5 mph. He'll go fast if asked, but this seems to be his favorite happy speed. I can keep him on a loose rein and enjoy less spring and more miles. Nice!

We rode about 16 miles yesterday in a group of three and changed our ride leaders constantly - he was willing to go along at any place in the group, although he seemed to really extend out more when he was in the front.

We're gearing up for a ride over Thanksgiving that takes place in our own back yard - the Scottsdale McDowell Mountain ride. That will be the last ride before the new season starts on December 1. Then it will be Death Valley, here we come!