The Green Bean 50

"What?" you ask. "There's no AERC ride by that name!". That's because I renamed it. Owyhee Chills was a really nice November day. We had sun and warm instead of snow blowing sideways. My friend Linda Ballard was taking her mare for her first endurance ride. Somewhere in my feeble mind thoughts of The Big Brass entered and I thought, "Hmmm, why not? I'll see if Beth wants to do an endurance ride." Well that was a no brainer. Of course a kid who loves to ride would think being out all day would be a blast! I'd ride Blue so we at least had one experienced horse to keep the "Green Beans" company on their first 50 mile ride.

The sun over the Snake River was a gorgeous sight!

The Green Beans loved the green water trough! 

Linda and Music from a hill top near the Snake River.

I was so proud of both Beth and Brass on their first 50! No short rides for these two. Brass had a superb attitude all day and Beth never stopped singing and having a good time!

Parts of this trail follows the Oregon Trail which I never get tired of the history. It was a great day for all of us. As the sun went down we had a brief ride in the moonlight which made it even more special. Beth thought it was very cool that a few people walked out to the finish area to cheer her arrival and even came to the trailer to congratulate her. Thanks to everyone for helping make it a special ride. 

Cards on Horseback

It was a lovely sunny October day and Rough Riders Drill Team was hosting a Poker Ride at Wilson Creek in Idaho. I took my friends Christine Moore and Beth Nicholes, and we loaded up Blue, Diamond and Brass and headed out. I thought it would be great fun, something a bit different and a good way to get the horses out. What I wasn't expecting was such a big crowd. I'm not sure how many they had but I heard over 100 entrants. WOW!

We saddled up and headed out, everyone kinda goes their own pace and we just followed the ribbons and trail. Along the way they would set up a "station" where you tossed the bean bag onto a board with cards and where it landed was what you got. Then there was an activity that you could do if you wanted and earn candy! CANDY candy!! So the first was an egg and spoon, I used sort of a big spoon and didn't drop the egg. Beth and Christine used a smaller spoon and rode the little course and didn't drop the egg.

The route was a six mile loop and I think our next card/candy opportunity had us weaving around orange cones. As you ride along these trails there are lots of rock formations and it's really pretty.

The most challenging obstacle was the one called "the car wash" which had strips of a large tarp hanging up that the horses had to go through. Did I say the wind was blowing the strips around a bit? Blue was having no part of this one at all. Brass was willing but cautious but Beth rode Diamond ride through the blowing strips. Great girls!! 

After we finished and took care of the horses we went up to the main area for a great hot lunch and pie, provided by the drill team. We didn't win any poker hands or even raffle prizes but we did have a great time. And that's what matters most!