tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19235093588776785662024-02-19T01:16:10.023-08:00Karen's Horse TailsWelcome to tales from the horses and my view through their ears.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-59186659245932105812019-07-29T07:31:00.002-07:002022-04-07T09:45:17.660-07:00Chief Joe Trail Ride - Onward to Musellshell<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVS0noZxQ_04mudEDHcGcUoqAetrGHv2nXtHuTxBIqxNYN7Bje2G9bHT67eI20uyfI1neS3mbWCVPPXT8Pu3gBlxNmTbLmuf_B-ELk2lDKdbXgg9Z_M_ovu-7iX5mUkxFHWyUCPlH1is/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVS0noZxQ_04mudEDHcGcUoqAetrGHv2nXtHuTxBIqxNYN7Bje2G9bHT67eI20uyfI1neS3mbWCVPPXT8Pu3gBlxNmTbLmuf_B-ELk2lDKdbXgg9Z_M_ovu-7iX5mUkxFHWyUCPlH1is/s320/IMG_2604.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVS0noZxQ_04mudEDHcGcUoqAetrGHv2nXtHuTxBIqxNYN7Bje2G9bHT67eI20uyfI1neS3mbWCVPPXT8Pu3gBlxNmTbLmuf_B-ELk2lDKdbXgg9Z_M_ovu-7iX5mUkxFHWyUCPlH1is/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>This had to be the fastest week ever! It seemed like I had barely left when it was time to say goodbye to my friends for another year, and we all load up and go home. To describe this years <br />
experience I could overuse the word "amazing" very easily. We had our ups and downs, it wasn't perfect, but as someone said, "We weren't living in teepees and when we get to camp dinner will be ready for us!" Truer words were never spoken. It's all an adventure.<br />
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The Chief Joseph ride began in 1965 and this was the 55th year, taking place over the third segment of the trail. It takes 13 years to complete the entire trail and it averages 100 miles a year. This years total by an average of several GPS' was 113 miles!! Last year we ended at Tolo Lake near Grangeville, ID, and this year we ended at the historic Musselshell Meadows. We rode through thick forests with magnificent views through the trees, old burns, beautiful wildflowers, along scenic rivers, historic routes and places. Each night we had Nez Perce speakers to learn the history of the events and places along the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rJ6kipS191koRsf8V7D3PdhH94_D8lcVnzN2dxFiE63hwXXoJMckskbyA9dpEMP9mluGtyqqP6wooWn5tHrUH4hkXVFEwtpGjY0Kr5JJdNovo3vdYx5aD1YWcF66X0QH_VaXraE9zoo/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgHGQ5ZeeRmGlv7P9g-Kvx2v5QAO_oeWJU8eeKRvwAJIQEY4_aT-ujXjqKwHkZULIfbK1TzfdgD-EKdF2eTLXmqDVdGT9BtNF2ka0sr4myH1PUboC7JgDd-mk_4DGAuAmPUpq3R-M8iU/s1600/IMG_2612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Our volunteer trail crews worked very hard to pull this one together as the snow melted late. They worked on trails every weekend for over 2 months. Thank you to Andy Shaw, AJ Smith and Ervin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rJ6kipS191koRsf8V7D3PdhH94_D8lcVnzN2dxFiE63hwXXoJMckskbyA9dpEMP9mluGtyqqP6wooWn5tHrUH4hkXVFEwtpGjY0Kr5JJdNovo3vdYx5aD1YWcF66X0QH_VaXraE9zoo/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rJ6kipS191koRsf8V7D3PdhH94_D8lcVnzN2dxFiE63hwXXoJMckskbyA9dpEMP9mluGtyqqP6wooWn5tHrUH4hkXVFEwtpGjY0Kr5JJdNovo3vdYx5aD1YWcF66X0QH_VaXraE9zoo/s320/IMG_2622.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
Gross for all your work, and all the others who joined in to help them. Unfortunately Ervin was injured doing all this and then was unable to be there to share the week. His family did bring him up Friday afternoon and he got to visit with a lot of folks, which should help speed the healing process. So MANY volunteers on this ride that make it work and I can't begin to name them all. Imagine a point to point or progressive ride where EVERYTHING is loaded up daily and moved. The kitchen, dance floor, potties, water, you name it and it moves to the next days camp. AND we leave no trace as the camp ground and picket area is left spotless!<br />
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Words simply can't describe this event, one has to experience it. To those who think this is a simple trail ride, then come join us and you'll discover it is so much more! Next year is Lolo, which will be a true challenge in the tradition of the Chief Joe!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appaloosas strung out along the rocky shore of the Selway River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the lovely Nez Perce regalia seen in the Empty Saddle Ceremony</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ53Jt6Bw2Nwa_r8AqzzqxNFealfigDjiAiDWN4vzbf7Yq-RdJD2bVYM1H0T_VuojmgPVjOF2G-KViHs3LrHDanLLxX6Vf1ZB6YaJGsmNBf3gyhyphenhypheniANuTNJszPFsZSrNYFubdRI24seQ/s1600/IMG_2695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ53Jt6Bw2Nwa_r8AqzzqxNFealfigDjiAiDWN4vzbf7Yq-RdJD2bVYM1H0T_VuojmgPVjOF2G-KViHs3LrHDanLLxX6Vf1ZB6YaJGsmNBf3gyhyphenhypheniANuTNJszPFsZSrNYFubdRI24seQ/s320/IMG_2695.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rode many historic trails and this spot was about a mile from Musselshell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ebiWavyylg9NNybZCpoNpLLTQpJnLJeSNpkEh7IMZJyVHT2heAQ3PUsf-QhyPEj1baDe1LQ8_cVQWYSZFswJMyG7hMaKCub_XbgAaYf8yGKhwPH3beNmL9RpehMy1DALxR1ebGPWX-o/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ebiWavyylg9NNybZCpoNpLLTQpJnLJeSNpkEh7IMZJyVHT2heAQ3PUsf-QhyPEj1baDe1LQ8_cVQWYSZFswJMyG7hMaKCub_XbgAaYf8yGKhwPH3beNmL9RpehMy1DALxR1ebGPWX-o/s320/IMG_2731.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut was ridden by one of the Scouts, Caleb Erickson, on Friday. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZc8BJGuI9acYkwxW58dlbgIbfMtT0vmnQwsN8-mTiX9F593T3ubpMZNs5RsGMyIKWWWsO1JTuKeI1XJqHiusC_2VSpHCWF1kVoY83HL5P7Nhyfc24XCXRHyoNxtNtG07ZivsajkeAKw/s1600/IMG_2755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZc8BJGuI9acYkwxW58dlbgIbfMtT0vmnQwsN8-mTiX9F593T3ubpMZNs5RsGMyIKWWWsO1JTuKeI1XJqHiusC_2VSpHCWF1kVoY83HL5P7Nhyfc24XCXRHyoNxtNtG07ZivsajkeAKw/s320/IMG_2755.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning fog rising off the pond and Musellshell Meadow</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-65931775516543958072019-05-29T13:46:00.001-07:002022-04-07T09:45:43.598-07:00Return to HardtriggerToday I was lucky enough to witness a rare and beautiful sight. Wild horses being returned to their home land! It was enough to bring tears to your eyes as the horses came off the trailer, sized up the line of spectators, gave us a show of their spirit and then ran out of view into the hills. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5GP45F0buTwz32DuKRbZuQosjfEci2sWV1aJDk1On2YYnlTT_qpUD9B5IeYqCz-uGMl0llmEEmQy4AL5G6cZPoQiLRIDUmedh0OMxnoC1lP1l-inISfLxby_gvwilVbcONlZOPGPJt4/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5GP45F0buTwz32DuKRbZuQosjfEci2sWV1aJDk1On2YYnlTT_qpUD9B5IeYqCz-uGMl0llmEEmQy4AL5G6cZPoQiLRIDUmedh0OMxnoC1lP1l-inISfLxby_gvwilVbcONlZOPGPJt4/s320/IMG_2292.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
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Deep in the Owyhee Range of SW Idaho lies a Wild Horse Management Area named after a nearby creek, Hardtrigger. Wild horses have been in this area for many years and I have been lucky enough to observe them since around 2005. Horses of all colors were hidden amongst the hills and washes of the country side, and if you knew where to look, you could find them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNnZq3UaQyHeG6MMixfRPNh99F_2L-P7_xSZH0j0BVL56wST3R2We04FdpILjBkdufitsFwaLpLjjHQjY23-alfxoNzBaGAUyszCVT81pk7MZc1CuZqI_VxJXqtCGyxuxl1d5Ec62i80/s1600/IMG_2310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNnZq3UaQyHeG6MMixfRPNh99F_2L-P7_xSZH0j0BVL56wST3R2We04FdpILjBkdufitsFwaLpLjjHQjY23-alfxoNzBaGAUyszCVT81pk7MZc1CuZqI_VxJXqtCGyxuxl1d5Ec62i80/s320/IMG_2310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5GP45F0buTwz32DuKRbZuQosjfEci2sWV1aJDk1On2YYnlTT_qpUD9B5IeYqCz-uGMl0llmEEmQy4AL5G6cZPoQiLRIDUmedh0OMxnoC1lP1l-inISfLxby_gvwilVbcONlZOPGPJt4/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>In the summer of 2015 one of the nations largest wildfires, the Soda Fire, swept through the Owyhees, burning over 279,000 acres and unfortunately taking the lives of wild animals with it. Occasionally a green patch was spared and it held survivors. But without feed they wouldn't live for long, and an emergency gather was planned. Off the three ranges, Black Mountain, Hardtrigger and Sands Basin, 279 horses were brought in. The horses were sorted, some adopted, some picked out for return, some still remain in holding waiting for adoption. The horses destined to return were cared for by the BLM at the Wild Horse Corrals in Bruneau and Boise.<br />
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A herd was released in 2018 to the Sands Basin area. Now in 2019, a total of 14 horses would be returned to Hardtrigger HMA. I was amazed at the number of people who came out to watch this rare event. I didn't count but there had to be at least 200 people, including the local news and media. Everyone was lined up anxiously awaiting the arrival of two trailers of horses as the sky grew darker and the thunder rumbled.<br />
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The first 7 returned to freedom were all mares. And not far behind their release came the 7 stallions from the other trailer. These horses have been cared for by humans for nearly 4 years, they aren't real timid, but it didn't take them long to see the freedom that lay ahead, and for them to scramble up the hillside and disappear.<br />
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Amazingly, a few were curious enough to swing back and give us one more look at their magnificence before saying goodbye and disappearing into the hills. It'll be fun to go back and look for them another day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-70977750294865085432018-07-28T11:30:00.002-07:002022-04-07T09:46:09.557-07:00Chief Joe part 2 - 2018Wednesday I rode out on Peanut for day 3, and I couldn't even begin to tell you where we went. We went up hill and down hill, through the trees, rocks, deadfall, thickets, you name it and we had it. This was also the day of "the slide' which I was too busy trying to stay upright, unlike a few, so I don't have a good photo of this slip slidey vertical drop down to a creek. But it was dicey and it takes 110 horses a little while to get down something like that so we got a bit backed up.<br />
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Then down along a creek for a bit where we met the three bears. The cubs scurried up a tree and mama got a bit anxious. I had Peanut up front then and he just watched, probably because head scout's horse stood so confidently. I think AJ's horse has seen it all but it was new to Peanut. </div>
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Somewhere out there was a big spring and three troughs that the horses all enjoyed. </div>
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Wednesday PM camp was somewhere near Cottonwood, and we had a gorgeous sunset! </div>
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Thursday began warm and sunny just like all the others. I think this was possibly the hottest weather I've experienced on this ride. Karen Vining took this one of us first thing in the morning as were getting ready to ride out. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On this day the end goal was to drop the 2500 plus feet back down to the Salmon River in the bottom of Hells Canyon. As AJ said at dinner Thursday night, if you aren't going uphill, down hill, or in through the rocks, then you aren't going. Pretty much! </div>
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We went by an old homestead, the site of the McCarvel School 1895-1934, a cool cabin, with an old steam engine, complete with a herd of cattle and a couple humongous bulls. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYeit5dzkF_M32x6WKd9n9Sovi4cvANIsjslaxZ2OAy2xLUvOUnF5yu_x8HbwY-DPFiKKRxzmjvFj-YPoqmgbFYsa1Fy6sQXZog2Bcb-LEzCnCIorG5FAkJhCBtns3zOTW1zvf7c_gxc/s1600/IMG_1468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYeit5dzkF_M32x6WKd9n9Sovi4cvANIsjslaxZ2OAy2xLUvOUnF5yu_x8HbwY-DPFiKKRxzmjvFj-YPoqmgbFYsa1Fy6sQXZog2Bcb-LEzCnCIorG5FAkJhCBtns3zOTW1zvf7c_gxc/s320/IMG_1468.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lunch was at a ranch and we had the last of the days shade before out 8 miles of down hill to camp just above the river banks. In some places the grade was easy but steep in others and we could see the river and camp way down below. And everyone enjoyed the respite at the river. </div>
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Peanut had never seen a swimmer before. HAHA not sure how AJ did that with his hat and boots! </div>
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I opted not to ride the last day. I'd been told it was very rocky, and even though I managed to keep boots on Peanut's hooves the Thursday, I felt like he'd been through enough rocks. Peanut had a lot of growing up this week, new experiences and he is quite the horse! Pretty proud of my boy. Friday's route left the Salmon, uphill as that was the only way, they'd go through Rocky Creek and Rocky Canyon and come out just shy of Tolo Lake with a short ride from the break to camp. </div>
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I haven't said much about the support crew but let me add that they are all fantastic hard workers! Each day the entire kitchen, dance floor, etc is packed up. Those who tent get their stuff transported in the UHaul. The food is truly the best you will find in any fine restaurant, don't plan on losing any weight here let me tell ya! If you go away hungry it is your fault and no one else's! On the trail the scouts watch out for all of us and we have doctors, farrier and a wrangler with emergency supplies! If you want to know more about this awesome yet tough event check out https://www.appaloosa.com/trail/ChiefJoseph.htm</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-64514019235762199282018-07-28T09:49:00.001-07:002022-04-07T09:46:38.269-07:00Chief Joe - Tolo Lake part 1After some very last minute changes, plan C or D was scrapped, and Peanut and I set out for the 54th Annual Chief Joseph Trail Ride on Sunday July 22. Peanut, aka HH Storm Runner, is 6 now but this whole CJ experience would be very new to him. The "new" plan, since Lynn Welborn's horse had gotten injured on the 21st, was bring Peanut, and she could ride him a couple days and I could drive etc.<br />
This years trail would be the only loop where assembly and destination camps are the same, as that is what the Nez Perce did during their flight from Gen. Howard in 1877. Tolo was an encampment often used by the Nez Perce in the 1800's, and they would race their horses on the prairies and hunt. Our route would take us down into Hells Canyon and back up again twice during the loop.<br />
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I rode day one as we left Tolo Lake and headed out around wheat fields that were once Camas prairies, and down ravines into the timber. We were treated to a big herd of elk right after Chip's wife said, "this looks like a great place for elk!" Boom there they were, haha!<br />
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Monday night's camp was at a ranch adjacent to Whit Bird Battlefield. A total of 34 of Howard's men were killed but only 3 Nez Perce were wounded in this 1877 battle. The Nez Perce crossed the Salmon and the flight to freedom would run for months until the end at Bear Paw. The route is approximately 1300 miles and the organized Chief Joseph ride encompasses 100 miles a year and takes 13 years to complete. This is my fave photo of the whole week!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYzX7WZjMs3XYwp-iDhaVsc4jmvC9PcMmvY1IxE4rIcidt8O4gKo3zH0HtYep4uMs2z04befgzbWDKF0QM3St_nn1byBrsiIsDVSHMH5VfczzzfuDjDPhGXN0LmrR0fNtIUZco-LYGEo/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYzX7WZjMs3XYwp-iDhaVsc4jmvC9PcMmvY1IxE4rIcidt8O4gKo3zH0HtYep4uMs2z04befgzbWDKF0QM3St_nn1byBrsiIsDVSHMH5VfczzzfuDjDPhGXN0LmrR0fNtIUZco-LYGEo/s320/IMG_1244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On Tuesday my friend Lynn Wellborn rode Peanut. I'm not in the habit of loaning my horses but Lynn's horse had just gotten injured and she was heart brok<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYzX7WZjMs3XYwp-iDhaVsc4jmvC9PcMmvY1IxE4rIcidt8O4gKo3zH0HtYep4uMs2z04befgzbWDKF0QM3St_nn1byBrsiIsDVSHMH5VfczzzfuDjDPhGXN0LmrR0fNtIUZco-LYGEo/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></b><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></i><u style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></u><sub style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sub><sup style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sup><strike style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: line-through; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></strike>e. She needed some salve for the soul. She is a good rider and I trusted her so off they went. She had a good day with Peanut but had boot problems since I don't usually boot him, and wasn't planning on taking him to the ride, I didn't even know what size would work for him. The whole week was an unplanned experiment. So she only rode him one day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHIcAgmLmARu68zMM-Tqb0_60okRYd8sZYwmEMOSskBwS9CNJDqv-NbzPJPZBaeSPRwPI3EEzgUowc2Q8SoLJwo1PVuzYufuyQI12FV1qHFtkqe5KTWPuwsJlEhjemAKi2QPLLFCfl1c/s1600/IMG_1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHIcAgmLmARu68zMM-Tqb0_60okRYd8sZYwmEMOSskBwS9CNJDqv-NbzPJPZBaeSPRwPI3EEzgUowc2Q8SoLJwo1PVuzYufuyQI12FV1qHFtkqe5KTWPuwsJlEhjemAKi2QPLLFCfl1c/s320/IMG_1274.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHIcAgmLmARu68zMM-Tqb0_60okRYd8sZYwmEMOSskBwS9CNJDqv-NbzPJPZBaeSPRwPI3EEzgUowc2Q8SoLJwo1PVuzYufuyQI12FV1qHFtkqe5KTWPuwsJlEhjemAKi2QPLLFCfl1c/s1600/IMG_1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I drove that day up Doumacq grade. Whooweeee what a drive! Camp was some where on Joseph Plains. </div>
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The picket line <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_SXHBfGW4NOCS3MwsBy-lZ0cqFqFmJg0w5U7cKN6Vbfxgfc5leFAooQ32_mQOl7sv0pURJG6l2GSewBJvlF_XtxBjlAd1EHr4rspd7LE-dC7_8_GacG5Vvc95OgtgxilYCVMMIhnEgo/s1600/IMG_1358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_SXHBfGW4NOCS3MwsBy-lZ0cqFqFmJg0w5U7cKN6Vbfxgfc5leFAooQ32_mQOl7sv0pURJG6l2GSewBJvlF_XtxBjlAd1EHr4rspd7LE-dC7_8_GacG5Vvc95OgtgxilYCVMMIhnEgo/s320/IMG_1358.JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-21331343918199821592018-05-27T09:41:00.000-07:002018-05-27T09:41:23.275-07:00The 2018 Version of Owyhee No River
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Owyhee No River May 2018<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Karen Bumgarner</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>First,
I would like to say thank you to all my helpers, volunteers and ride vets for
making this ride a success, because it couldn’t happen without you!! Without
all of you this entire sport of endurance and distance riding would not exist. So,
thank you so very much! Special thanks to Matt White and his boy scout Troop
255 of Middleton, ID for hauling our water. What a fantastic job they did.
Thank you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrwt18lOBc1lfAl3WrnFvK55tg0-OWp7iFd8MTpY2uWse2A1YTmchKO_MYaYYiT7zppUPgU7IMZDlGZwTvoGfYDprJRfW6TpwYbtOA03LUQC_API3l5cqh3J-1EmCYjOUGBObZMGBOLk/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrwt18lOBc1lfAl3WrnFvK55tg0-OWp7iFd8MTpY2uWse2A1YTmchKO_MYaYYiT7zppUPgU7IMZDlGZwTvoGfYDprJRfW6TpwYbtOA03LUQC_API3l5cqh3J-1EmCYjOUGBObZMGBOLk/s320/IMG_0861.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For
some silly reason I always want to do things a bit differently. It must be in
my DNA. One year I had a Ride & Tie which was fun but not a huge success as
1) it requires a lot of work on the rider and runner’s part, and 2) there isn’t
a lot to tie to out here. Then I had the BIG loop of 55 miles because I love
big loop rides. However due to fires, storm erosion of trails, BLM losing sage
grouse habitat (we have no sage grouse but they think we do), vandalism, and
the fact that an out-vet check requires even more volunteers, I just had to let
that go. I added trail rides that became an ApHC Regional Trail ride for my
Chief Joe friends to use for conditioning on a daily basis to prep for the 5-day
ride in July. And then this year I added what could have been (as far as I can
tell), Oregon’s first Competitive Trail ride. All in addition to the usual 25/55-mile
AERC Endurance rides. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmBHecVB7zgcmVPC9E6VArTHb4K6yEZQOKkult-OyrX0gqRmFED1CEAjlmqIAepL1KxR_c4iJ-5VhtkzjFMir4SK5lubPSeObE_02sBzVBH29nXeDokwTLYhpuZrNiWfnod1IDbBcUS0/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmBHecVB7zgcmVPC9E6VArTHb4K6yEZQOKkult-OyrX0gqRmFED1CEAjlmqIAepL1KxR_c4iJ-5VhtkzjFMir4SK5lubPSeObE_02sBzVBH29nXeDokwTLYhpuZrNiWfnod1IDbBcUS0/s320/IMG_0881.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All
these trails took a long time to mark and my BFF, Colleen Martin, and I were
given refreshments from the lady doing weed patrol. She saved our lives! HAHA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
trail rides had 25 riders!! Yay! Only two were SWIT members though, Barb McGann
and myself. Glad to attract non-members but I think we need to promote the club
a bit more. Let’s be inviting our friends to gatherings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDkPywoHU52dnC1aAtnmSJoNnZjoF050A6owdChaM8shOZJnhP3aKc4r1HPOZjFlxVEmZ-b3A2cWDTcRgrbgoX6XPnwslit-Xewj5ZuxvlxDNdQ92obJ44vD8sRXtThEZw2OYAxZ4fPI/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDkPywoHU52dnC1aAtnmSJoNnZjoF050A6owdChaM8shOZJnhP3aKc4r1HPOZjFlxVEmZ-b3A2cWDTcRgrbgoX6XPnwslit-Xewj5ZuxvlxDNdQ92obJ44vD8sRXtThEZw2OYAxZ4fPI/s320/IMG_0894.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Friday’s
Competitive Trail Ride, CTR, was sanctioned by AHA not NATRC, mostly due to
simpler rules. However, I see NATRC has some proposed rule changes that may
improve this. NATRC may attract a few more entries. The big reason I did it was
to allow riders to get their AHA horses qualified for upcoming AHA Distance CTR
Nationals. A horse needs two CTR’s to qualify for the National ride along with
mileage, refer to AHA for all info on that. And maybe someday other breed
registries will join the CTR Championships like they have the endurance
Championship.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I would call the CTR a
success with 7 riders, three totally new to distance riding so maybe we’ll see
them again. The trail was 2 loops, a scenic loop of cow trails connected out to
the Sand Castles, where we hauled water and riders went by it twice due to a
spring not being in working order. I have a plan to maybe take this to a spot
on the canal next year for water, we’ll see. After a vet check and 30-minute
hold they rode the creek loop. The winner, with a perfect score, was Dirty
Martini, ridden by Ann Kuck!! Reserve was The Big Brass and Jessica Cobbley.
Congrats to all who came and participated. I’ve been asked will I do it again?
Yes, but I need a ride manager!! I could even add it to the Pie Ride but I need
a ride manager. The pay for the job is horrible but if you’d like to act as
such I would happily let you do that. Special thanks to Lucie Hess for making
this ride happen. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf46XGXzX5Xmh09YIDQjioDbwM3zlojP4pWBPXs5hQ2WVQcGI5ZMwCq1JuW3V1cEAgbZp707lGsi2O3l4cY1T7qC8cDCftzssSqmKsexyrc07T-8pmKx6k2p5A6l6OAPA55JmoQTmV57k/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf46XGXzX5Xmh09YIDQjioDbwM3zlojP4pWBPXs5hQ2WVQcGI5ZMwCq1JuW3V1cEAgbZp707lGsi2O3l4cY1T7qC8cDCftzssSqmKsexyrc07T-8pmKx6k2p5A6l6OAPA55JmoQTmV57k/s320/IMG_0879.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Saturday
the 25-miler had 22 entries and 21 complete. Riders had a 15-mile loop that
we’ve used previously, followed by vet into a hold, and the scenic creek loop
which is 9.25 miles according to Garmin. Simone Maul and a mob of others came
in with the Mule gang. Boogey pulsed down first and took BC honors two years in
a row! First Junior and 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> overall was Sydney Jackson aboard the
mule, John Henry. Winning time was 2:41. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UQ3_-cx_kqbFPTxPxBZDILnMUgh2Q_2QinUAnErN_Mewz0sobVFqhszv_94SCgW24YUDmzWSuJUKQB9UoW2D5OaESgtx9fLruSODcVl6-HExY_z-bdNTpD7l-3AiLVIFSViY5E4j8DY/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UQ3_-cx_kqbFPTxPxBZDILnMUgh2Q_2QinUAnErN_Mewz0sobVFqhszv_94SCgW24YUDmzWSuJUKQB9UoW2D5OaESgtx9fLruSODcVl6-HExY_z-bdNTpD7l-3AiLVIFSViY5E4j8DY/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The 55
had 22 start and 18 finishes. The 55’s had two loops with some repeat through
the creek, lots of new trails this year and people seemed to love all the cow
trails. Two loops put the vetting in camp. The second loop had a couple miles
of hit and miss gravel road that used to be dirt, sorry but in reality, that
really isn’t bad compared to some rides and there was a soft shoulder at least.
David Laws won in 5:47 aboard his Rocky Mountain horse, Che Ole, in 5:47.
Second was Beth Claussen and Beau De Valeroso. Best Condition went to JAC
Wynterhawk, ridden to 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place by Lee Pearce in 6:53. There were no
Junior riders on the 55-mile ride. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvb5hu46oxvCXpcXc9qgxs-XIxglQIM1hYKluTUwIvh4uv3Zu4inp6KcqfkNtVpINYK-__s4tyyNCedkbvUVOiAF29P5UIgek8lA4yDijD_UKNHo9wNa5Ove8T7E1iL0zlxq45OnjzaM/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvb5hu46oxvCXpcXc9qgxs-XIxglQIM1hYKluTUwIvh4uv3Zu4inp6KcqfkNtVpINYK-__s4tyyNCedkbvUVOiAF29P5UIgek8lA4yDijD_UKNHo9wNa5Ove8T7E1iL0zlxq45OnjzaM/s320/IMG_0943.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Michele McGorky and her critters helping me unmark trail She did most of the work :) <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Two
horses deserve an extra mention because they competed two days in a row. Dirty
Martinis participated on both the 25-mile CTR and the 25-mile LD. Owyhee
Justice finished both the CTR and the 55-mile ride. Three riders also did CTR
one day and endurance the next, congrats to Ann Kuck, Jessica Cobbley and Karen
Bumgarner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
Longhorns and a rattlesnake sighting added some special interest. Oh, and let’s
not forget the sight of our dedicated photographer, Dave Honan, wading in the
creek either!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We
raised $300 for Troop 255 and $1500 for the Reboot Veterans Horse Camp in
Idaho. Donations to Reboot allow Veteran’s to participate all week for free! </span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-58862941820116764572018-05-26T08:13:00.002-07:002018-05-26T08:13:52.510-07:00Deja Vu?While it's true we can't go back in time and do-overs don't exist, there are times that stir some great memories. And some things just feel like you're home again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTUC339653Jq4K0FGw_xXzQ_iMZ24p8Rpw1PO59zPq2czOCTNFBhuKwh7Mqsm8U14ljEPCgyRIEKlBJt0Ubr5Zz0Pi4257sLa7S-7Iy48PMVkauR0YEGZolk3IWOrmgZG1jSM2RgFRXM/s1600/Speedy+and+I+-+Paulina+-+1985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTUC339653Jq4K0FGw_xXzQ_iMZ24p8Rpw1PO59zPq2czOCTNFBhuKwh7Mqsm8U14ljEPCgyRIEKlBJt0Ubr5Zz0Pi4257sLa7S-7Iy48PMVkauR0YEGZolk3IWOrmgZG1jSM2RgFRXM/s320/Speedy+and+I+-+Paulina+-+1985.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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This is one of my fave photos of Moka's Pat A-Dott, (aka Speedy), and I taken at the Chief Paulina ride in 1985. Speedy was the only horse to ever do the CP 100 five times and I still have the blanket awarded to him for that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EGOiLqOVjxuYktNvQFl94mDzbmodX_hp7542KQue3TqJpZbZXZ146Sc5HdYar3F3pS7_5GKw2sY3nVpBV1PmLPS2BlIEQIyerZ1iHrn-kzSVZtIEmomE7ygE79UtuytxoatuaQ9xz28/s1600/small-owyhee-river-challenge_05-13-18_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="913" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EGOiLqOVjxuYktNvQFl94mDzbmodX_hp7542KQue3TqJpZbZXZ146Sc5HdYar3F3pS7_5GKw2sY3nVpBV1PmLPS2BlIEQIyerZ1iHrn-kzSVZtIEmomE7ygE79UtuytxoatuaQ9xz28/s320/small-owyhee-river-challenge_05-13-18_0230.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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And now, umpteen years later, I'm lucky enough to have another colorful leopard that like to go places. This is Owyhee Justice, aka Rio. I got him for my Chief Joe horse but he wasn't particularly happy walking along. He wanted to do more than that. And when I ride him he reminds my of my good ol' Speedy. Deja Vu!! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-78583414278207920392018-01-03T13:56:00.000-08:002018-01-03T13:56:58.237-08:00Death Valley EscapeThis ride has been on my "must ride" list for years and I finally got to go!! The locals call it the Death Valley Encounter, but for me it was a brief escape from cold and snow, and as I write this, it's 18 degrees so I'm ready to return!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G0qCpPhdEvIIW4R416xGTVSW6Jy6la32j5BIXwYQZTc3tKuR0vLY8wz0HOtcHjqiTHYrgLVdmHF-IyyqMYOaXwfTke4C93ZtvYg5DVKtl1bc3mCVbeh1_zzQOvGnoyKd7dHut5L3QrY/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G0qCpPhdEvIIW4R416xGTVSW6Jy6la32j5BIXwYQZTc3tKuR0vLY8wz0HOtcHjqiTHYrgLVdmHF-IyyqMYOaXwfTke4C93ZtvYg5DVKtl1bc3mCVbeh1_zzQOvGnoyKd7dHut5L3QrY/s200/IMG_0314.JPG" width="200" /></a>The day after Christmas when most people are shopping, I was trying to make my way through Boise. It was like being on a suicide mission with two big wrecks in the West bound lanes and more piling up as drivers ignored all the flashing lights warning them of what lay ahead. On my side, heading East, all the Einsteins were rubbernecking at the wrecks and then slamming on their brakes, only to slide off and land in the median. I was scared spitless, or something like that, the spelling varies. You don't get pictures of that since I was still doing my own driving. Once the other side of Boise I had to stop at the rest area and relax my shaking hands. Then onward to Gooding, meet the Cobbley's and stow my rig at Huber's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIx8dAsBok87j3vYO2zPQPzaw_yWXHf56PFeUA_NlzowYGTm0zzMhUv8ZuN_V89PnkUcyKM6QyVOArXj9UWIVT5rOzqteIiED3nTV86BT5SFhyphenhyphen1yE46NA47HkhruXoGISTmjW9xVHY-c/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIx8dAsBok87j3vYO2zPQPzaw_yWXHf56PFeUA_NlzowYGTm0zzMhUv8ZuN_V89PnkUcyKM6QyVOArXj9UWIVT5rOzqteIiED3nTV86BT5SFhyphenhyphen1yE46NA47HkhruXoGISTmjW9xVHY-c/s320/IMG_0326.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubRXriA7HAagqHYHCzHwd2fK_zyT0iPOd6PUtkujekSKgRilwNPdqLAtoaoebhg11FK-tzk8jhPm2u_Tj9v37MrP6pue7pVTN0E-22sB2qZEHkYjBmwlGb-yZgdmoOSre41iEMe893oA/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubRXriA7HAagqHYHCzHwd2fK_zyT0iPOd6PUtkujekSKgRilwNPdqLAtoaoebhg11FK-tzk8jhPm2u_Tj9v37MrP6pue7pVTN0E-22sB2qZEHkYjBmwlGb-yZgdmoOSre41iEMe893oA/s320/IMG_0348.JPG" width="320" /></a>The remainder of our trip was uneventful. We marveled at the sun and the rising temps, we were so excited to meet 60 degrees!!! We made it to Ely, NV and stayed at the fair grounds there. Brrrr in the morning. We piled in the truck and Mike says "where to today Miss Daisy?" "Oh anywhere warm will do nicely", I replied. We made it to Trona, CA. and camp around 3'ish. I don't recall exactly we were all way too excited.<br />
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Camp was the Trona Golf Course and Country Club. It was a full campground but we found a spot half a mile from the vetting area and such necessities.<br />
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Then there is all the "get ready to go" stuff to be done. It was dark by 5 so you better hustle hauling water, feeding, organizing and putting goo in Brass's hooves. Dinner, ride meeting, set the alarm and get ready in the morning.<br />
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Now I won't lie. I "love" a good Duck ride. The Duck and Annie Nicholson put on good rides, and Duck always promises you a cave with a bear to wrestle. I think our bear was rocks but you can find your own bear. :) I have always counted the Duck as one of my endurance heroes. I love it when he says these are "endurance rides, not races". I fully appreciate that he points out we are here to ride in harmony with our horses and enjoy what the mountains and desert have to offer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JoVfGNll0E2QLVItBG2W8Wv-kVjpIbHJbZpPF3OTWJCn29k4WdFjdwSIo9E6pK6exw6H8IRP4aUFFWx-zv3YvP0HB6uSbuM0_sRlcSLN24dYfjR78GmrfSdqgxPoaWeEuk6HozGeSVo/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JoVfGNll0E2QLVItBG2W8Wv-kVjpIbHJbZpPF3OTWJCn29k4WdFjdwSIo9E6pK6exw6H8IRP4aUFFWx-zv3YvP0HB6uSbuM0_sRlcSLN24dYfjR78GmrfSdqgxPoaWeEuk6HozGeSVo/s200/IMG_0350.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf7rQ8eGdcAUQm6A4X2eO5-E5qJYD18wT_bb_i0gWwJsEArGHAFsrbvyOtTc6gpyPTj2p3yOq1ZGqu9anmBh5iKCUjQe41oDmBHuAE4oVkrEx11sc1ek4C18GpV9RjQ-wxBMYZldgqbE/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf7rQ8eGdcAUQm6A4X2eO5-E5qJYD18wT_bb_i0gWwJsEArGHAFsrbvyOtTc6gpyPTj2p3yOq1ZGqu9anmBh5iKCUjQe41oDmBHuAE4oVkrEx11sc1ek4C18GpV9RjQ-wxBMYZldgqbE/s200/IMG_0377.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdqvEe4dCzgEpfMwfsAhGnZGbVFZVmSq3CXayPvQ4yjxnLU12lenI9EKHdMvTVXZTGuiB4nbiIV1P5300IxNxne9gxF9y4GhIJ1vGN4PoXBeoVf1DiGeNOcnYwSwXHceAU8ll9K0kBl0/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdqvEe4dCzgEpfMwfsAhGnZGbVFZVmSq3CXayPvQ4yjxnLU12lenI9EKHdMvTVXZTGuiB4nbiIV1P5300IxNxne9gxF9y4GhIJ1vGN4PoXBeoVf1DiGeNOcnYwSwXHceAU8ll9K0kBl0/s320/IMG_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was cold starting in the morning. "I can't feel my legs" Jessica said, as we marveled at the unstoppable Dave Rabe, in his signature shorts! The man has over 69,000 AERC miles now I might add. Somewhere along the "burro trail" we got into the sun, shed a layer, and then rode across the vast Panamint Valley to lunch. We had multi-million dollar entertainment as we watched the jet pilots fly maneuvers.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KgjGacYGBcu9YxAkXxxhren7DHgoWzW3lbWBncHUkL4mvFGJoAYoHEKgnqTnXbagcNCVHXQY_OFLA_WY2ibLHCnDSaQFIHWW1hoLXwwQQyiq3PgVbgtCwUmWXwe1FkcMqviGEhCouhE/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KgjGacYGBcu9YxAkXxxhren7DHgoWzW3lbWBncHUkL4mvFGJoAYoHEKgnqTnXbagcNCVHXQY_OFLA_WY2ibLHCnDSaQFIHWW1hoLXwwQQyiq3PgVbgtCwUmWXwe1FkcMqviGEhCouhE/s200/IMG_0372.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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After lunch we again climbed over the Slate Range and had an easy descent back into the valley to arrive in camp after the sun had set but wasn't quite yet dark. Oh what a marvelous day it had been, the stunning views and vistas were unmatched! We had so much fun, Thunder and Brass did so well, that we signed up for Day 2.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk3XlqbDr2wVHyH4Mo6bXPRBg7DIBBmHfwJE0tSxmdzbdug42JreU6qVgomqHhjGvG_LYf2XGrGTFqZVPBrXyWvTbWrNBRk_MJrgAWSmGmJSNOiQVv7H9q1H4EH6LnIpOfp6jC5h0Wn8/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk3XlqbDr2wVHyH4Mo6bXPRBg7DIBBmHfwJE0tSxmdzbdug42JreU6qVgomqHhjGvG_LYf2XGrGTFqZVPBrXyWvTbWrNBRk_MJrgAWSmGmJSNOiQVv7H9q1H4EH6LnIpOfp6jC5h0Wn8/s320/IMG_0382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarIEZXvuuoiI4Z4D462kcNd_pIBJia9KeM2O05nS8LJ288mesSI5lMwAC7Oj0vVqoAgR4FziVAgD9GUtXc8zg4CnaKKcXxlQ3BaJU9HtUQJJJycFH8bGxTniqCWsh9WgCxW7wqIcAjg8/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarIEZXvuuoiI4Z4D462kcNd_pIBJia9KeM2O05nS8LJ288mesSI5lMwAC7Oj0vVqoAgR4FziVAgD9GUtXc8zg4CnaKKcXxlQ3BaJU9HtUQJJJycFH8bGxTniqCWsh9WgCxW7wqIcAjg8/s200/IMG_0400.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw5B1jkMpuaQ3LGmSFZfwovqNGy9xoeF8T0OWCBiialaY-6JIAf8mw2Ikb4Z_0trSRcrFekA_8MeTXmbYCWgk0IvgXH6FzktyjL5XMAK5Ly_ARW2ulRsTpld1NEnHMPbu-YIrIS5v6_s/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw5B1jkMpuaQ3LGmSFZfwovqNGy9xoeF8T0OWCBiialaY-6JIAf8mw2Ikb4Z_0trSRcrFekA_8MeTXmbYCWgk0IvgXH6FzktyjL5XMAK5Ly_ARW2ulRsTpld1NEnHMPbu-YIrIS5v6_s/s200/IMG_0412.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK6bpP66Sl8-1kPbRv7d0caB7XyPtOq4_hi8XW2OnDF7ZsW_XZR-U5QCwJJ6i5nJQhsJL-PzE7j2p437PCmxyzhsxmMiEKdtNmH5kRX7Qa9UlCdmW0J9M9Q3Kk5b6d_q556qWMGRwfzQ/s1600/thunderi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK6bpP66Sl8-1kPbRv7d0caB7XyPtOq4_hi8XW2OnDF7ZsW_XZR-U5QCwJJ6i5nJQhsJL-PzE7j2p437PCmxyzhsxmMiEKdtNmH5kRX7Qa9UlCdmW0J9M9Q3Kk5b6d_q556qWMGRwfzQ/s320/thunderi.jpg" width="240" /></a>Day 2 gave us two loops. A 30 mile loop where we backtracked up to the Slate Range crossing, then across more mountains on a very good old motorcycle trail, then up to the radio towers. Endomondo said we were at 3757 elevation at the top of something Peak via the Tower Trail. Then through Manly Pass, down Goff Canyon and into camp for lunch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiTyh8IcD3jvzASPz4sJSH-JDtml9HgqqVxaImFHog9jYhqhrrm5b_-FTMQZ8LU6OuU_iNpKnAikEuon-zTPLktFiLG1J2VKyhHH9e1Aeam7H3KR8Q4Ssc0LD_tj-L4-gSmos9SqGxfk/s1600/thundermedy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiTyh8IcD3jvzASPz4sJSH-JDtml9HgqqVxaImFHog9jYhqhrrm5b_-FTMQZ8LU6OuU_iNpKnAikEuon-zTPLktFiLG1J2VKyhHH9e1Aeam7H3KR8Q4Ssc0LD_tj-L4-gSmos9SqGxfk/s320/thundermedy2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Our hope that morning had been to have a bit of a faster day but the slog over the Tower Trail and all had us 6 hours into the ride at this point. Ugh! Leaving at 2 for 20 miles we knew it'd be dark when we would finish. The horses were doing great, even though Thunder had been pretty warm and panted a lot during the heat of the day. However the trail turned away from camp about a mile from camp. Thunder was convinced I was the biggest idiot and horse could be stuck with. How could I possibly be going this way? They were happier when we turned back towards camp. And camp was a welcome sight!!<br />
We vetted through just fine and because Thunder had gotten so warm earlier in the day, I had already decided I was sitting out day 3. Turned out Day 3 trail wasn't a lot different from Day 2 so no big loss.<br />
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Mike was happy as he had ridden two short rides on Khalid who is just beginning, I had my two days, but Jessica was going to try for 3. But when trotting Brass out he just didn't look quite comfortable, so she opted to not start. They went to town for propane etc., I went down to the vetting area to help Annie for a bit. Then I gave the horses a massage. It was a lazy relaxing day. I was completely happy with my two mid-winter rides on my wooly horse. All of us decided we'd gotten our money's worth, if we skipped day 4 and headed home we wouldn't miss any work. So as we spent the night at another fairgrounds, all the DVE riders were having a New Years Eve Party and steak dinner.<br />
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About noon I was back on the road in my own truck heading home. What a fabulous way to spend Christmas break and see 2017 out the door. Thank you again Mike and Jessica Cobbley for letting me travel with you. It was so much fun!!! Thanks Andi Sorrell for taking good care of the home ponies. What a great experience, I am so grateful! I want to do it again someday!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-49153609130125141192017-12-01T09:47:00.002-08:002022-04-07T09:40:35.000-07:00Merry MilestonesEvery once in awhile a horse comes along when you aren't needing or even looking for one. Sometimes they can even turn out pretty good. Such is the case with The Big Brass. At the time he came, I had five horses and wasn't looking for a sixth, especially a half wild one with no training! Oh what a lot of work he has been. And not just for me either but for my friends who have ridden him and been successful him. You see Brass can be a bit complicated, you have to know how to read him, and if you can't, well - he will teach you. You also must possess certain skills to ride Brass. If you don't have them, again - he will teach you. I already have a horse like this, yes it is Thunder, so I didn't need two of them. They are so time consuming and the drama; holy cow! The rewards are many though when you can look back and see how far they have come. Kind of like peeling an onion and getting to new layers of their life, and yours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxIsMPVoPEFtOEjYXTam3f4JwfCTpa6hP20Sm_RGohPDpG4ra2f1xJEOIr9-k3IsBSewe0YOlnEocDndqa5v4VbmeusO9RGQy4-F9rmT4hyWDpdnZViPu9QSNSjt1JUzR96DzgSj8mHY/s1600/COR+Brass+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxIsMPVoPEFtOEjYXTam3f4JwfCTpa6hP20Sm_RGohPDpG4ra2f1xJEOIr9-k3IsBSewe0YOlnEocDndqa5v4VbmeusO9RGQy4-F9rmT4hyWDpdnZViPu9QSNSjt1JUzR96DzgSj8mHY/s320/COR+Brass+17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy180x-coCHHU2uWxb5JkotjnewL8uAqAk6bXlkIMh4jAyaGSy5wGQDv7cBQXwQAp-tpw5Rc7p-IUcozTflLpTNdwfHbKTGOWmplR2IdWUmIcdPTowOageryakMHAwuVKmLawbsDqxy1c/s1600/J+Brass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy180x-coCHHU2uWxb5JkotjnewL8uAqAk6bXlkIMh4jAyaGSy5wGQDv7cBQXwQAp-tpw5Rc7p-IUcozTflLpTNdwfHbKTGOWmplR2IdWUmIcdPTowOageryakMHAwuVKmLawbsDqxy1c/s320/J+Brass.JPG" width="219" /></a>In May 2016 when my friend Jessica Cobbley needed a horse to ride, I dangled Brass in front of her nose. Like any sick endurance rider, she grabbed the bait. Fast forward and they now have two successful seasons together and Brass is remaining at their house. The Big Brass surpassed his 1000 miles and is well on his way to 2000 as he currently has 1460 AERC miles! Congrats to Jessica and the Brassman for this wonderful accomplishment and I know they'll have many more! They have become a great team as Brass leaps around at the end of his lead rope in camp before a ride and Jess just stands there, calmly smokes a cigarette, and waits for the drama to subside! Then it's time to get on and go see new trails.<br />
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Besides seeing Brass get 1000 miles, I also had a goal of 2000 miles for Z Blue Lightening. Blue has always had set backs that foul up the best plans. When he was younger Thunder would kick him, or bite him in a strategic place, so then Blue had to stay home and not be ridden. This meant more miles, rides and attention for Thunder the red beast. Poor Blue, always left at home, and yet he didn't really care. He isn't the over-achiever his cousin Thunder is. I could take him to a multi-day as a spare and his attitude was, "No it's OK, you go have fun. I'll be camp lizard, and eat hay all day." In order to get Blue ridden and get some miles, since Thunder hogged the limelight, he was often ridden by my family and friends. Amazingly Blue has packed ten riders around the trails other than myself! That's a pretty rare endurance horse actually. One year I didn't even ride him at all!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6bDd1_hr3mTECC0On5wJUMiCJ8WKLqIGnwfYITb1OOYcsGOtJSIYP8ONDIriAlEcdM2qb3DLbPnE7j2w_oWUqYSc6a7xYaRfCBex-CVlrjzx2GMOO4we5NXWUgf22lqnbIEYKTKrLwY/s1600/72241909-_DSC3064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6bDd1_hr3mTECC0On5wJUMiCJ8WKLqIGnwfYITb1OOYcsGOtJSIYP8ONDIriAlEcdM2qb3DLbPnE7j2w_oWUqYSc6a7xYaRfCBex-CVlrjzx2GMOO4we5NXWUgf22lqnbIEYKTKrLwY/s320/72241909-_DSC3064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8Aj18_wt9Ml-zZOTMtpGFDD5Nb9IhILzgKPZyFmb_ow0bY7YCfOCTP8rArm7ZoA9HemR-6Kirmhw_Gyj3riTgvwLJgHWW9UWoX5jhFkxbz2mdt9vzTqndUgvATgMwlqeNRjCVo79QzI/s1600/blu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="960" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8Aj18_wt9Ml-zZOTMtpGFDD5Nb9IhILzgKPZyFmb_ow0bY7YCfOCTP8rArm7ZoA9HemR-6Kirmhw_Gyj3riTgvwLJgHWW9UWoX5jhFkxbz2mdt9vzTqndUgvATgMwlqeNRjCVo79QzI/s320/blu.jpg" width="320" /></a>This year Blue was supposed to go to a few more rides, as usual, it was one thing after another. He got a bad cough the end of May, in July before Top of the World he had some skin issues on his back. Then the ride I was going to ride for his 2000 miles was canceled and a few days later he got a nasty wound in his chest. On what I have no idea, may have been a kick but it was pretty deep and they're all barefoot so I doubted that. I was sure he was out for the rest of the year, still stuck at 1980 miles. I just said "Fine, he'll never get his 2000 miles at this rate!" But it healed quickly and I managed to squeeze in that very last ride of the season to round off his AERC mileage to 2030! Maybe now we can finish up that Decade award. :)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-10167760907616348682017-09-08T11:52:00.001-07:002017-09-08T11:52:45.334-07:006000 Miles of Red-tudeRed - tude? In case you aren't familiar with it, it's that go getter attitude that seems to belong to those dang redhead horses. Thunder is a pumped up, get outta my way and let's go kinda guy. I can grumble but he just finished out his AERC 6000 miles so I couldn't be more proud. The crooked legged beast just gets the job done!<br />
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<i>We got off to a slow start this year but after my wisdom tooth misery we made it to Top of The World and rode all 3 days. Photo by David Honan.</i><br />
It wasn't my intention to do all 3, I planned to do 1 and 3 and trail ride with my BFF Colleen Martin. But Mike Cobbley said, "You have to ride day 2. It's the best because we ride up over the Continental Divide and it's really pretty." So OK I'll do days and two and trail ride on 3. Well the red beast was so rotten the last few miles in, trying to dump me, spooking and tossing that big white nose in the air saying "nanner nanner", that I told him he just bought a ticket to day 3! Made him happy because he was a bigger jerk the third day than he was the first! HA! Typical Thunder.<br />
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<i>He finished Top just ten miles short of 6000, so close! Photo by David Honan</i></div>
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The next ride coming up was Old Selam and my daughter, Andi, decided she wanted to finish up her 5000. I gave her the choice of riding Blue or taking Rio on his first ride. She chose the big spotted beast vs the little scrawny grey. They did just fine although the first couple miles was a bit intense. It got really hot but everyone just kept a trucking up and down the hills. The completion of 50 miles at Old Selam got Andi her 5000 and Rio's first 50. And Thunder finished that 6000 and started the next 1000 miles because he isn't done playin yet! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-27647386951056149012017-07-24T06:38:00.000-07:002017-07-24T06:38:35.115-07:00And So It Begins ..... AgainIt has been 140 years since the war with the Nez Perce, and here I am - on land that was first inhabited by the Nez Perce. Gorgeous valleys and vast prairies lay before me and the snow capped Wallowas are watching over it all.<br />
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This was the 53rd year for the Chief Joseph ride, sponsored by the Appaloosa Horse Club, and yes you must ride a registered Appaloosa on the ride as it's all about the history of the Nez Perce and the horses. This year the ride reset to the 5th cycle and started once again at Joseph, OR. Each year riders complete approximately a 100 mile segment of the historic route of what is often referred to as the greatest retreat, until they reach the end once again at the Bear Paw Battlefield. All because the whites found gold and wanted to run the Nez Perce onto the reservation lands. Joseph was just one Nez Perce leader, and he didn't want war nor did the people want to be on the reservation, it was decided by council to escape first to Idaho, and later to reach Sitting Bull and be safe in Canada. There is far too much history to list here, many books are available as well as information online. Check it out for the full story. </div>
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My BFF, Colleen Martin, and I arrived early enough Saturday, July 15, to unload Rio near Joseph, OR., and walk into town, meander through a few shops, and take pictures of some great statuary and murals around town. Then Molly got to play in the creek and cool down before we headed into assembly camp. Colleen was driving for my friend Dennis Schultz, so I could ride this year. I'd promised Dennis last year I'd find him a driver so I could ride instead of drive. Thanks Colleen for that opportunity. Admittedly this is not my style of riding, too much hurry and wait in this huge group, but I am glad that I went and rode it like I have always wanted to do. </div>
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Sunday morning Rio got a quick ride before I took my truck and trailer ahead to destination camp. Then he got another ride that afternoon because my normally calm and quiet horse was no longer calm and quiet. BIG camp, nearly 200 horses and he was just a bit excited. Monday morning wasn't much different as over 165 riders set out onto the prairies heading North. </div>
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During the weeks trails we traveled much of the Nez Perce hunting range and the lands they enjoyed. Some trails are not accessible. Not just because of land owners but because along the trail, there is simply no place to camp well over 100 large trailers and such. To me this is the biggest limiting factor. For example previous years of this leg ended near Dug Bar, down in Hells Canyon along the Snake River, but the road would rip the bottom out of many of the trailers providing they could even make the corners. In the early days of this ride most vehicles went to destination camp. Riders camped all week, tossing their belongings in the club Uhaul daily so it would arrive in camp each night. The few trucks and trailers were of modest size not today's 30 foot or longer LQ trailers. Each day camp, the entire kitchen, dance floor/stage, all the water, potties, etc., is packed up and moved to a new site. Driving on this trek is even an interesting experience, just ask one of those lucky folks who made the wrong turn and took the side trip to Imnaha. :) </div>
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The second days route took us through Zumwalt Prairie, where over 300,000 acres of grasslands are home for elk and deer, all of what was once Nez Perce hunting grounds. I'd guess we saw between 250- 300 elk. There are so many elk in this area that several special hunts are needed to thin the numbers for herd survival or many would starve. All through here are several little draws with a creek and Pine trees. Old homestead remains are scattered across the lands along with the occasional farm implements. </div>
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There were numerous views of the Hells Canyon, Seven Devils mountains, the Eagle Caps and still the Wallowas. The route went up and down small ravines and traversed across very rocky ground as the trail headed towards the Grande Ronde through more trees. </div>
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When we arrived at camp along the rim of the Hells Canyon there was a sizable fire burning. We saw a few planes dump retardant and some choppers with water buckets miles in the distance. Talk about dinner with a few, lawn chairs lined the rim as riders soaked up the canyon views. </div>
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The last day we wound around trees and draws as we left the canyon and ventured on to destination. It was an awesome week of new friends, old friends, fantastic food, good music, and many really nice Appaloosa horses. Saturday morning we all gathered for one last breakfast, we thanked the many crew members that make this adventure possible, said all our "see ya next year!" goodbyes and loaded up. Next year - Tolo Lake. See you there.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-77369967374418527482017-01-04T06:38:00.001-08:002017-01-04T06:38:47.071-08:00Snow days 2017Another day of snow and drinking too much coffee. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A day to be grateful for all the fun I had in 2016. Thunder and I had a great year, AERC 5000 mile horse, AERC Pioneer Standings, lots of PNER awards coming our way including the coveted Sandybaar Award for ten consecutive completions. Thunder is a nut but he is my nut so I have to ride him! Some days it's hard to be thankful for him but he is an incredible horse. </div>
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I had a great time riding the others too, getting Peanut going under saddle was my summer challenge. A day to look forward to the many more "spotted" miles to come. </div>
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Molly and I will go play in the snow later.</div>
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A day to plan and day dream of adventures that lay ahead. I have few things planned but my big adventure is the Chief Joe with my Rio. I'm really looking forward to fulfilling the dream that has been on my list for many years. And maybe, just maybe, I might even make it to the beach this summer. Really hoping for that one too. </div>
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Sprinkled in with all of that will be endurance and trail rides and playing with horses. Happy New Year!! C'mon spring!! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-86519748892066919762016-12-09T11:40:00.002-08:002022-04-07T09:41:22.084-07:00A riding I will go.........Summer came and went. I rode here and there and every where. I neglected my blog as I played with horses all through the fall and into the snowy weather. So now, since it's 26 degrees and dropping frozen rain drops on top of yesterday's snow, perhaps I'll get a bit creative.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Somewhere during summer my AERC patch for riding 26,000 miles on rides arrived in the mail. That doesn't include fun rides, trail rides, conditioning or goofing off rides. Just sanctioned AERC endurance rides. </span></div>
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I started this crazy activity in 1977 on my pony horse from the track, Sunny Spots R. At our first ride a vteran rider told me that Sunny would never make it because he was too big. Yes he was 16.2 and weighed 1250 pounds and I retired him from endurance years after that with 4,410 AERC miles and many awards. This photo was taken by Gene Peterson at the very first Sun River 100 where we placed 4th on our first 100 and rode with Nancy Cox on Rakar. And yes that is a bit of snow on the ground. </div>
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Endurance riding has led me to many places and taken me on some fantastic adventures. In 1979 Lew Hollander hosted a 150 mile ride, and several of us said "Why not?" Took us around 27 hours and as we were heading for camp the horses trotted faster and faster. Someone hit a canter, then someone had a gallop and before we knew it the race was on! People couldn't believe we'd race in after 150 continuous miles but there we were, and the fever was contagious as we ran for home. The winner, Hanne Hollander, and 2nd place, Dodie Eason, were already finished so we placed third, Gene Carpenter was 4th and Arlene Morris took 5th. One more rider, Arthel Westlake, behind us crossed the line about 20 minutes later. We made history on the first ever 150 mile ride in AERC! </div>
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And then, just in case doing a first continuous 150 mile ride wasn't enough, I turned around and did it again a few years later. This time on "Speedy" aka Moka's Pat-A-Dott. And we did it in just under 24 hours. :) He was also the horse I finished Race of Champions with after two failed attempts with Sunny. Speedy was an incredible mount, with unbelievable stamina and epitomized the word tough with 23 one-day 100 mile completions and his 150 miler for a total of 5515 AERC miles. </div>
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A couple years later "multi-day" rides were introduced. This is from the Lost Wagon Train Ride, Vale to GI Ranch and on into Alfalfa, 6 days and 310 miles. Now that was an adventure through rocks, ruts, past pioneer graves, across rivers and over mountains! Absolutely amazing! A total of 13 horse/rider teams did the whole thing! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oIgRHIse4_spK0HtDRUfCJVCjy_jZhccfuM212NYOAHgNycivPnXrPF9zKBYqIfiyjg1txWJf8oRoClEH_rs2Yz8neyEiqAyNMEEoSF6W1XwVGPpBoQ5qwdIP4NOAJSedBc1NacyOzg/s1600/sunnytonka+speedy+chollima.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oIgRHIse4_spK0HtDRUfCJVCjy_jZhccfuM212NYOAHgNycivPnXrPF9zKBYqIfiyjg1txWJf8oRoClEH_rs2Yz8neyEiqAyNMEEoSF6W1XwVGPpBoQ5qwdIP4NOAJSedBc1NacyOzg/s320/sunnytonka+speedy+chollima.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was looking for a picture of old Tonka and he is here in the group shot, second from left. Yes he was 14.2 standing next to 16.2! But he was one tough guy and had also been my track pony horse. He is a story all on his own but he had 1895 AERC miles and was sound till the day he died at 37. Sunny on the left with 4410, Speedy on the right with 5515, and Chollima, Al's Arab, had 3105 AERC miles. That's a lot of miles in one photo as these 4 horses represent 14, 925 miles. Doesn't count Tonka or Chollima's Ride & Tie miles either - that again is another story. </div>
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The good Lord blessed me with more great horses than I have good sense. Here is Zapped+/ on his 100th completion in 2003, 6,480 AERC miles, 19 one-day 100's and two complete multi-days. An awesome horse that was a bucker, Al got him going and I stole him. We became one of AERC's first Decade Teams! He was tough to ride but I was younger then so it was OK. </div>
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Cold Springs XP, another multi day adventure in 2004 with Rushcreek Faroan, a granddaughter of Rushcreek Mark. An amazing mare that I hated to sell but life predicted I must. She completed 1,085 miles and on our second XP she was the 5 day winner and BC horse! </div>
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And then this red beast has become my signature horse in these later years. Z Summer Thunder, from my Rushcreek Hollie. He dang near killed me once and my friends searched for him for six days in the Owyhees. Regina Rose found him and brought him home and a few months later I was riding the bonehead again. We've completed over 100 rides and 5,680 AERC miles. We haven't competed on the 100 milers so much (hey I'm not as young as I once was) but we have done a lot of multi-day rides. Plus he is my second Decade Horse and we've won so much stuff it's mind boggling. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKdopOnGF0LEc5UItijgyJXvID9iBI0B_0v2dquRSerFjE5CtNUL2VqQ00_DESgaIiKY3jAIDp1bVVurl6zSJ2aaAynS0JHJyZ5WCcs4Qb_FGUvmI4qKjKLaus7zOkZqgmfftvAgWNrw/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKdopOnGF0LEc5UItijgyJXvID9iBI0B_0v2dquRSerFjE5CtNUL2VqQ00_DESgaIiKY3jAIDp1bVVurl6zSJ2aaAynS0JHJyZ5WCcs4Qb_FGUvmI4qKjKLaus7zOkZqgmfftvAgWNrw/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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This is my favorite picture of Z Blue Lightening. He looks so much like Zap it's uncanny, even has that little twist to his nose, ♥. I bred and raised Blue from Rushcreek Carrye, and he has always been shoved to the back by his demanding relative, Thunder. It seemed like every time I'd plan to take Blue to a ride Thunder had scuffed him up, kicked him, bit him or something, and then Thunder would get to go to the ride. Many of my friends have ridden Blue on rides, he's my "dude" horse. Lazy as can be on a training ride but full of himself at an endurance ride, a little schizo. Even at that he has managed to travel 1,830 AERC miles. Maybe in 3 years he'll be a Decade Horse too! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_inJt7PxVHne88kLZ0WLHk-zf8uNhXcqmQQSzijvonUP4dlWEpol1ez50CRHp9EZwbU73P3OBoXcLlfpsJuXtkn5NHFXku_HMwFxJV15lRufTP-S2EUMvjz3pjhZv7JEDSBhspaLg-Lo/s1600/IMG_5869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_inJt7PxVHne88kLZ0WLHk-zf8uNhXcqmQQSzijvonUP4dlWEpol1ez50CRHp9EZwbU73P3OBoXcLlfpsJuXtkn5NHFXku_HMwFxJV15lRufTP-S2EUMvjz3pjhZv7JEDSBhspaLg-Lo/s320/IMG_5869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some other fine horses have been sprinkled throughout my riding escapades. I even rode Les Carr's famous Tulip on a ride! Endurance has allowed me to ride in so many places I wouldn't have other wise, it has given me sensational adventures, and has also introduced me to many friends. AERC says I've ridden 338 sanctioned rides since 1985, that doesn't include all my pre-1985 rides as I already had 6,190 miles when AERC began to track with computer data. With the last few years the spotted horses have returned to my life and with them came some new goals, like the Chief Joseph ride. </div>
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Ariding I have gone - and ariding I will continue to go! See you some where on the trail! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-25895814260873618022016-07-28T17:42:00.001-07:002016-07-28T17:42:25.888-07:00Bear Paw Battlefield Part 3 of the Chief Joseph RideThe final portion of the 1,300+ mile journey would end at the <a href="http://www.bearpawbattlefield.com/" target="_blank">Bear Paw Battlefield</a>, 40 miles from freedom and the Canadian border. Volumes have been written regarding the Nez Perce, the battle and I won't attempt that here. Just google it and be amazed at all the people endured prior to Joseph's immortal words -<br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15.75px; line-height: 25.2px;">"Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before I have in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. </span>Tu-hul-hul-sote<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15.75px; line-height: 25.2px;"> is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led the young men [Ollokot] is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food; no one knows where they are – perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs. I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever."</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GDFLEnT42_-cDmNcpoVltQFZTY9wTxW1fMCC-C62p9_G1PZX8EJdbmmpUrLEaV6agHCpkLuVpgj6BJAczUXoWJ5O68zL6_DxF1wpu7Bg-DUFzEiJahS7J21hw5kH4eWxWkustSwvIc8/s1600/IMG_6225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GDFLEnT42_-cDmNcpoVltQFZTY9wTxW1fMCC-C62p9_G1PZX8EJdbmmpUrLEaV6agHCpkLuVpgj6BJAczUXoWJ5O68zL6_DxF1wpu7Bg-DUFzEiJahS7J21hw5kH4eWxWkustSwvIc8/s320/IMG_6225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYozLLVkE1sWpTkBoqRLPBLUOyEoqCKdCAT4I58cSS5GptwEghT_eEFB80lNPQMQLabftso6yxCDMu7i9PUBaK8mxy31dBn4JPsRiPDNinWJP5YNmvIFNr-1l5foj64mnpDJvkXZF8tSY/s1600/april+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYozLLVkE1sWpTkBoqRLPBLUOyEoqCKdCAT4I58cSS5GptwEghT_eEFB80lNPQMQLabftso6yxCDMu7i9PUBaK8mxy31dBn4JPsRiPDNinWJP5YNmvIFNr-1l5foj64mnpDJvkXZF8tSY/s320/april+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.75px; line-height: 25.2px;">As riders neared camp on the last day of the ride this year, they entered the Bear Paw Battlefield area and circled the flag and the monument. It was a time of sorrow. A time of reverence for all who had suffered and died in this very spot. </span></span><br />
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<i>April Herrin captured the moment here in this beautiful photo of Kristen Reiter riding past the flag at half mast in respect for the dead. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLcYOJhL6FwlHeSg3VWfL1bKkZIOEzgqBksVb9rb9qd-ZrHT6mYN3c10EQzvN2MuDrRe7dACRkWMV3XfTZI_Ex7KWHgoIzxVBRmx1H02deNQ4tUpev9o6P2_6t9FQLW5mh36dpAOltyk/s1600/IMG_6269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLcYOJhL6FwlHeSg3VWfL1bKkZIOEzgqBksVb9rb9qd-ZrHT6mYN3c10EQzvN2MuDrRe7dACRkWMV3XfTZI_Ex7KWHgoIzxVBRmx1H02deNQ4tUpev9o6P2_6t9FQLW5mh36dpAOltyk/s320/IMG_6269.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.75px; line-height: 25.2px;">I walked around the Battlefield and looked at the markers and read the signs. This marked where Chief Ollikot was killed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbJB1ezVJBm2PoqjyfvWLB3ld6T53Kmm8YPlMjZobcn34uf5nfP12VB7VEaEBnn2PQ0BD1ehG9wFPtvNUaPpzhnS2tsfiboDIq8uPYKAYCt5PTo5SbNdPuYv15LnAa8Con3ufGfXAqQw/s1600/IMG_6317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbJB1ezVJBm2PoqjyfvWLB3ld6T53Kmm8YPlMjZobcn34uf5nfP12VB7VEaEBnn2PQ0BD1ehG9wFPtvNUaPpzhnS2tsfiboDIq8uPYKAYCt5PTo5SbNdPuYv15LnAa8Con3ufGfXAqQw/s320/IMG_6317.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.75px; line-height: 25.2px;">The Empty Saddle presentation was made by the youth of the Nez Perce.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJMGqSes53xAL8gwE5xPunWhyphenhyphenkd7ULN9eXJR-L7AnzXb-TpJ24TWYY4yxnThx-maQOoHa-6UfxmrBXhSB_nirCe3m-gB4g-Abd0ghbhSKvHwoGau5GrACrEpiJY_e1ByGDNd4IyNmlv0/s1600/IMG_6283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJMGqSes53xAL8gwE5xPunWhyphenhyphenkd7ULN9eXJR-L7AnzXb-TpJ24TWYY4yxnThx-maQOoHa-6UfxmrBXhSB_nirCe3m-gB4g-Abd0ghbhSKvHwoGau5GrACrEpiJY_e1ByGDNd4IyNmlv0/s320/IMG_6283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE-QXo8igi8YzMuRUHSQx-Uwpm3NUG91_YMAOwChS9y81tjVYc_c2DneK48WkE04_YbBzhOw0A6Su20x6hkuppS0z2ZRHf6zGQcKajMjMUhi37Cv1R3UBXDIo-UZ9zAdR90hO9P1JLMc/s1600/IMG_6315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE-QXo8igi8YzMuRUHSQx-Uwpm3NUG91_YMAOwChS9y81tjVYc_c2DneK48WkE04_YbBzhOw0A6Su20x6hkuppS0z2ZRHf6zGQcKajMjMUhi37Cv1R3UBXDIo-UZ9zAdR90hO9P1JLMc/s320/IMG_6315.JPG" width="320" /></a>Otis Halfmoon and Emmit Taylor Jr, of The Nez Perce tribe, told us much of the Nez Perce and Bear Paw Battlefield history and that through forgiveness comes healing.</div>
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They say a picture says a 1,000 words.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPF6CfxnE3_bg5LpjwmIKG68y-7Al_beDNIxT4zUVnk9M-ba2xlLh1oydGgkm167goe-O4AiV0u_XNnsRTqLrKHo9eKOJQB73Y5LgAdgXtoyZ88KdXedRUBlRflvJaYm8cY8vbYhbmQ/s1600/IMG_6288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPF6CfxnE3_bg5LpjwmIKG68y-7Al_beDNIxT4zUVnk9M-ba2xlLh1oydGgkm167goe-O4AiV0u_XNnsRTqLrKHo9eKOJQB73Y5LgAdgXtoyZ88KdXedRUBlRflvJaYm8cY8vbYhbmQ/s320/IMG_6288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nez Perce, young and old, participated in the Healing Ceremony.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfDVd_qQnaTxDCmgb0c8ImH_WQ2phgd-S4ZnBl4_nwEPdKp-SfzTa4v2nmZ57QPACD4_a991FtkBaYIsa9YwE2_S2vZXquhuGvgMCz8FybJMMe-fohSUq8iuY3EK9bisOZWBOkl6CU9U/s1600/IMG_6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfDVd_qQnaTxDCmgb0c8ImH_WQ2phgd-S4ZnBl4_nwEPdKp-SfzTa4v2nmZ57QPACD4_a991FtkBaYIsa9YwE2_S2vZXquhuGvgMCz8FybJMMe-fohSUq8iuY3EK9bisOZWBOkl6CU9U/s320/IMG_6303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9u9ZZlkYjXCZnJeOn_ZRR18YWgNtFvd-063y_WE4AvjPUiorM0vqHZJ0EMAe3v9FWg6cc5tfPQUVhfIC2sSLs7CThNs7fyedtvaHs-3PhdCFIMphzKKnDZtrQSN9AFwcl3fwFWeX4qTE/s1600/IMG_6321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9u9ZZlkYjXCZnJeOn_ZRR18YWgNtFvd-063y_WE4AvjPUiorM0vqHZJ0EMAe3v9FWg6cc5tfPQUVhfIC2sSLs7CThNs7fyedtvaHs-3PhdCFIMphzKKnDZtrQSN9AFwcl3fwFWeX4qTE/s320/IMG_6321.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was a very moving tribute to not only the Nez Perce but also to our veterans. After the ceremony and after dinner, Seymour Young Dog, gave the closing speech and prayer to this years Chief Joseph Trail Ride. </div>
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The ride resets and starts back at the beginning next year, Joseph, OR.. It will be another 13 years before the ride returns to the Battlefield. Come join us for a unique experience. More information can be found on the <a href="http://www.appaloosa.com/trail/2016TrailRides.htm" target="_blank">ApHC</a> website. </div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.75px; line-height: 25.2px;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-79276832502042247212016-07-27T15:43:00.001-07:002016-07-27T15:43:58.340-07:00FUNdraising & Awards at Chief JoeThe Chief Joseph Trail Ride overflows with activity for all ages from sun up to sundown.<div>
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First at 5:30AM or close to it, music would ooze through the dawn thanks to Dr Rustebakke. Be thankful I didn't find that version on youtube! LOL</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCfNhHd3lzklZKgmVcGmk4am95xSWi-kqXjNCP5pfkjOLFjGYR_WvV7M5gThcQaxfUs9cgba5ea1Nc_0pXCcQN_W2lwQmq5zdf5SVarpir4cyur90vqUzAJmfQCxK4iNy49SQwYSlit0/s1600/IMG_6001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCfNhHd3lzklZKgmVcGmk4am95xSWi-kqXjNCP5pfkjOLFjGYR_WvV7M5gThcQaxfUs9cgba5ea1Nc_0pXCcQN_W2lwQmq5zdf5SVarpir4cyur90vqUzAJmfQCxK4iNy49SQwYSlit0/s320/IMG_6001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>This little gal and others like her get to ride the CJTR thanks to scholarships that are made available through fundraising efforts. </i></div>
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But seriously, the Chief Joe ride continues to be more than just riding. I learnt to bring "fun" money because three groups work very hard to earn money to give scholarships to kids so they can ride the CJTR. The Chief <a href="http://chiefjosephfoundation.org/trail-ride/" target="_blank">Joseph Foundation</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nez-Perce-Appaloosa-Horse-Club-164974143537588/" target="_blank">Nez Perce</a> Appaloosa Horse Club both have Raffles and Silent Auctions with the funds going to help kids get to the rides. We all know that as we get older, it is the kids who will carry the torch and keep this ride going forward. This year 7 youth were sponsored by the groups wonderful efforts which of course are supported by the riders. They also sold some nice T-Shirts! </div>
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And we can't forget Kirk Knowlton who sacrificed first his "stash", then some how lost his hat in the deal too as it was auctioned off for youth funds money. Jehnet Carlson won that bid and was given the honor of shaving Kirk's mustache while wearing what was his hat. That's a BRAVE man! </div>
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<i>Beth Wendell is a 13 yr rider and her received his ApHC Medallion award</i></div>
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ApHC Director, Lori Richards, also heads up the <a href="http://www.appaloosaart.com/" target="_blank">Chief Joseph Trail Ride Experience</a>, a 501.c3 Non Profit which again awards scholarships for qualifying youth. This is funded by sales of artwork and T Shirts or people can donate funds in memory of people to whom this ride has a significant part of their lives. <br />
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All of which is a very cool and fun way to help a youngster fullfil their dream!<br />
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The ApHC <a href="http://appaloosamuseum.org/" target="_blank">Museum</a> also sold some shirts, books and had a fundraising Raffle for a free entry into next years ride. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ-9BmcCjseznuIH16AIjMkecQ9T07vZHue_pAF1iGDdnqsW9dNNciki5O3W0Q4J-R8JsedQtwiB_sYm2aXZokLdmkwlAoxTf5Uy0zybE9wEssbAjNYe8xg2fo0a_2RYoMa1pA9OHc9E/s1600/kristin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ-9BmcCjseznuIH16AIjMkecQ9T07vZHue_pAF1iGDdnqsW9dNNciki5O3W0Q4J-R8JsedQtwiB_sYm2aXZokLdmkwlAoxTf5Uy0zybE9wEssbAjNYe8xg2fo0a_2RYoMa1pA9OHc9E/s320/kristin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>This is Kristen's photo of the plaque she received for 13 years! Yeah I want one :)</i></div>
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Beyond all of that, there are trail awards given to those who participate for 5 yrs, 10 yrs, 13, 26, 39 and yes even 52 years. And that 52 was Anne Mischel, featured in my previous blog. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDDhmpDwUyABwi2_Ll0LGIw2IYcg0oC8E_bwh4dlccfdr_Z6bxqFRE_lQ-x_wgc0pDl4tpevULA3MOtGVPNCXW6EiSngOsl_EomWhqZ5FcicMiGWiYwUKQeUUnXBB9YELmgzGdxobxP8/s1600/IMG_6187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDDhmpDwUyABwi2_Ll0LGIw2IYcg0oC8E_bwh4dlccfdr_Z6bxqFRE_lQ-x_wgc0pDl4tpevULA3MOtGVPNCXW6EiSngOsl_EomWhqZ5FcicMiGWiYwUKQeUUnXBB9YELmgzGdxobxP8/s320/IMG_6187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Pat Roberts and Dirk Vanderby were awarded 26 yr buckles! </i></div>
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And no one forgot the horses who make all this possible. All horses must be registered Appaloosas to enter, and the ApHC has included the Chief Joseph Trail Ride in the prestigious Medallion Award system. Horses who complete the ride for ten (yes ten) consecutive years will be awarded an ApHC Medallion. There is also an award for horses who are ridden on the ride for 13 years, remember it takes 13 years to do the entire trail at approximately 100 miles a year. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Lucy Samuels and her mare come up to the podium for their ApHC Bronze Medallion</i></div>
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The ride really does offer a lot to the people and the horses. The week long event takes on a life of it's own through all the activities, dinner, dancing, riding and fun. And as the sun goes down, Marcos Dominguez is strumming his guitar and playing some fine music! It's no wonder some of these people just simply can't stay away and keep this event going for all of us! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-48432755445884787372016-07-24T18:22:00.000-07:002016-07-24T18:40:05.503-07:0052 Years of The Chief Joe - Part One<span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) hosted the 52nd Annual Chief Joseph Trail Ride, July 18-22, 2016. The Chief Joseph Trail Ride is a point-to-point ride. A portion of the ride is completed each year, with the entire sequence taking thirteen years to complete. Its route traces, as closely as possible, the route Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce took while attempting to escape the US Cavalry in 1877. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">The Chief Joseph Trail Ride was first held in 1965 and has been completed FOUR times!! The only person to ride and participate all 52 years is Anne Mischel. The ApHC presented Anne with a special sash for her dedication to this ride. But we all know that she is as addicted to being here as the rest of us. Way to go Anne! ♥</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.76px;">The ride is exclusive to the Appaloosa breed and is the longest-running and most popular trail ride hosted by the ApHC, therefore you MUST be an ApHC member AND the horses MUST be registered with the ApHC. </span><span style="line-height: 18.76px;">It is a very historic ride as it retraces the route of the Nez Perce as they tried to make their way to freedom in Canada, where they would not have to live on a reservation. During the 1300+ mile flight to freedom they endured attacks from the Cavalry, their people died, they endured more hardships than you can ever imagine. One measly rabbit might feed 10 people. Lets see that would be maybe two bites of food! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6GWyNchpqmBsf2UDJtWXtTd59Ah2D3VfM7urkDTPFXEZWt1fexEHLehbIBw_xevIh9Gj3tHbau9mbjVrKkwCLqzH4Ok-JKTxgLce1__1cZknBucWijZUnzSHpyyFVzr7mnCB-4aNYlY/s1600/IMG_5907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6GWyNchpqmBsf2UDJtWXtTd59Ah2D3VfM7urkDTPFXEZWt1fexEHLehbIBw_xevIh9Gj3tHbau9mbjVrKkwCLqzH4Ok-JKTxgLce1__1cZknBucWijZUnzSHpyyFVzr7mnCB-4aNYlY/s320/IMG_5907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ0vLg1ygoMmkIPF_i4fqEpe9AiOG5hRYi-O6HDkSSvqNwbFKay96iliglge0aysKULOOzUkbAFw1CMEYX7WJz_a64OZ6-YWh8MJ7t5zitYNLDWLNfvIky7NZQwrbj1QiirQoStEu2Q4/s1600/IMG_6098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ0vLg1ygoMmkIPF_i4fqEpe9AiOG5hRYi-O6HDkSSvqNwbFKay96iliglge0aysKULOOzUkbAFw1CMEYX7WJz_a64OZ6-YWh8MJ7t5zitYNLDWLNfvIky7NZQwrbj1QiirQoStEu2Q4/s320/IMG_6098.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">Last years ride ended near Roy, MT. This year we picked it up again about 20 miles from Roy, North of the Missouri River. When I arrived Saturday evening the camp was filling rapidly. The picket lines were up and and the dance floor was down! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlqDoQuf0M1KcpkV56nHXCrwGZ7AuAU6Rgf4SQ2rQlSAW3B0MH7WxPbeEUJTRYxaHvFYItKMMHDX_TOBl4U7Gq71TcnHfH-m-2FtCrTbsbtJUtXfiRAuGCqL-Ypy9vw1C-3NNE4nUPoQ/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlqDoQuf0M1KcpkV56nHXCrwGZ7AuAU6Rgf4SQ2rQlSAW3B0MH7WxPbeEUJTRYxaHvFYItKMMHDX_TOBl4U7Gq71TcnHfH-m-2FtCrTbsbtJUtXfiRAuGCqL-Ypy9vw1C-3NNE4nUPoQ/s320/IMG_6051.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">Sunday AM all of us drivers took our cars and extra vehicles out to "destination", then we got a bus back to camp. The storm waited until after dinner and the opening ceremony before it attacked. The ground turns to gumbo in the rain and after Sunday nights big storm it was decided that we weren't moving camp. Remember, we aren't just moving a few vehicles but more than 150 trucks, trailers, and such. The road going into what was supposed to be Monday nights camp required 4 WD on a "good" day, so we were staying right here and letting it dry out until Wednesday. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">Camp was on a bit of a slope, and after all the thunder storms and heavy rain Terry Wade renamed camp, Snotty Knob.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">Now this put a different spin on things because "normally" each day is an average of 20 miles so that the ride covers approximately 100 miles of trail, thus taking 13 years to complete. Luckily this year the ride had a guide, a local fellow who had ranched for years and knew the trails. So it was decided that we'd delay the start of day 1 for an hour, with riders going out North to an old homestead then loop back around to camp. This would have them doing the only first part of the route that was originally planned. Having to return meant they would not be going to Cow Creek, the Island or Spencer Ridge. That was pretty disappointing for most but it was the safe option for the day.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">I believe 143 riders rode out and it was a typical Monday morning rodeo with a couple buck offs in the first mile. One fellow got back on his horse and rode the day with broken ribs, but he rode!! Another walked back to camp and led his horse. And A.J. went out with the 4 wheeler to bring the other rider in. There was a later incident in a bog but those riders were OK. No one had to be flown out to a hospital so it was all good! It takes a really good minded horse to do this ride. Marcus Dominguez was still playing his guitar and people were on the dance floor when the big storm bashed us again! The hail stones were the size of grapes and Molly and I hunkered down in the horse trailer and stayed dry at least. Yeah we needed more rain! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">Tuesday the guide led riders towards the Missouri River, down along some gullies for some great views and then return to camp. This was an area not previously used for the ride. Unlike wagons following one another and making deep ruts that were visible for years, this trail is harder to find because the bands of the tribe fanned out a bit. This gave their horses a bit of graze as they went along. Tuesday night Otis Halfmoon of the Nez Perce came and spoke about Joseph and all the Chiefs. He told us many stories that led up to the siege at Bear Paw prior to the surrender. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtXACL9NXCXb_SXHGwK5cTR7GrPjNBxfYEcft6XweLtqcAN4bZ76Jh70Xh36ak2wqTHDvVWPBWcqglmi4ghxskWMEm1pteDRNeeQrYroF_joiJJNZIVn0DThEr1U8__tLXN36Outk880/s1600/IMG_6122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtXACL9NXCXb_SXHGwK5cTR7GrPjNBxfYEcft6XweLtqcAN4bZ76Jh70Xh36ak2wqTHDvVWPBWcqglmi4ghxskWMEm1pteDRNeeQrYroF_joiJJNZIVn0DThEr1U8__tLXN36Outk880/s320/IMG_6122.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">It rained a little early Wednesday morning but everyone packed it up and we were rolling out of camp at 9:15. We had good road and by the time we got to the two track road it was mostly dry with only a couple boggy spots that we pulled around. Our camp at Benson Lake was one of the most gorgeous spots. From the hilltop one could see for miles and I could even get a pic sent out on my phone! Woohoo. The skies were always so beautiful with so many colors rippled through them. It was amazing. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoQW1exWsSCRtwRavGNTsxy4g1_949682kFcnIjDxx4385ECqPdPqJ1ho4QETpByjSJVA1Z3Tti-gBv5Vugf7-aYWnXJTtbMpzgHZm2R8XEhC2BemmBsCxa8KVcxm-C-SoA0BrNbM-U0/s1600/IMG_6162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoQW1exWsSCRtwRavGNTsxy4g1_949682kFcnIjDxx4385ECqPdPqJ1ho4QETpByjSJVA1Z3Tti-gBv5Vugf7-aYWnXJTtbMpzgHZm2R8XEhC2BemmBsCxa8KVcxm-C-SoA0BrNbM-U0/s320/IMG_6162.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">It was a beautiful sight when riders rode by the lake Thursday morning. The water was still and the reflections were pretty cool! We were back on track with close to 150 riders heading out on the trail, riding point to point and ending at the camp site planned for Thursday night. The distance that day was GPS'd at 15.75 miles. A day of rolling hills, grasslands and wheat fields. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">The ApHC gives out awards for 5, 10, 13, 26, 39 and 52 years. These riders received awards for 13 years. Sorry I don't know all of them but there was Kristin Reiter, Lucy Samuels, A J, Bob Vetter, Mike and Barbra Croy, Christy Wood and Beth Wendell. Horses can also earn an ApHC Bronze Medallion for 10 consecutive years at the Chief Joe, and nine horses received that prestigious honor! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">The final day, Friday, and everyone is filled with anticipation as we all approach the historic Bear Paw Battlefield, south of Chinook, Montana. A ceremony is planned as we will learn more about </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">this significant event where after five days of battle with the US Calvary, Chief Joseph gave the eternal speech, “From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;"> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-8926131053797497512016-07-11T11:36:00.001-07:002016-07-11T11:36:31.044-07:00Oregon Outback makes Thunder 3 for 3<div class="MsoNormal">
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riding before Colleen had to return home. We rode the nearby hills, got in some Rio and Peanut time at Succor Creek and we even rode the Eagle hills. We drove out to Owyhee
Reservoir and over to Celebration Park, with a stop at Gene Winchesters so
Colleen could see some of my horse’s relatives.</div>
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I even got in a treasured ride with both Andi & Colleen. A first!</div>
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Then I said, “You know. We could go to Tribby’s and you
could ride the first day of Oregon Outback and just go home from there.” I didn’t
even have to twist her arm and she said “OK”. So we packed up again and headed
to Fort Rock, did a little walk about the old town buildings there and made the
last 10 miles to ride camp. <o:p></o:p>Colleen and Blue got in their “extra” 50, giving them 155
miles in three weeks. Not bad for a person who only really rides when she comes
to visit me! HA!</div>
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Colleen got our picture with Trish Frahm at the start of the second day before she headed for home. </div>
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We had a lot of fun riding with Mike and Jessica Cobbley and she is doing a great job with The Big Brass as they are 5 for 5 on AERC rides at this time!! </div>
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Thunder and I finished all three days once more! Outback gave Thunder his third complete Pioneer multi-day
for the year! That’s a lot of miles, and now he gets a break as I prepare to
take off for the final leg of the Chief Joseph Trail Ride in Montana. Stay
tuned, if you’re lucky it might end up in a blog sooner or later.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-16677966551359028552016-07-11T10:56:00.002-07:002016-07-11T10:56:26.282-07:00New trail - Strawberry FieldsLast year the plan for my BFF Colleen Martin and myself was to go see some new trails, namely the Strawberry Fields multi-day in Utah. For various reasons it didn't happen. But it wasn't forgotten and it became the game plan for this year. June 15 we packed up the boys, Thunder and Blue, a grand
assortment of stuff and we left at the dim light of dawn for Heber City, Utah.
Roughly 25 miles from there was Strawberry Reservoir and camp at Co-Op Creek.
Camp was large sagebrush flat area lined on one side with aspens and another
side by the creek. We set up alongside the aspens for shade.<br />
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As we admired these red rock cliffs from camp we had no idea that we would be riding to them and across the mountain top behind them. Steve Bradley, photographer, said we reached 12,000 feet at that time.</div>
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We set out for a ride on Thursday and joked this was the
first time we had ever encountered ride ribbons attached to snow poles. After
crossing a creek and getting into a large thicket of brush amid the Aspens we
saw what looked and sounded like a Sandhill Crane. I’ve only seen grey ones but
we learned they come in more than one color and that the brown ones are common
to this area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And when we returned towards camp and preparing to cross
the creek we were met with a grouping of magnificent butterflies along the edge,
dancing over the muddy bank. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Thunder and I on day 2, photo by Steve Bradley</i></div>
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I had heard the area was gorgeous and offered some of the
most beautiful trails to be found anywhere and we were not disappointed. Tons
of wildflowers, many creek crossings, a few bogs, and even a couple snow
fields. The trails were plenty tough, definitely not for the faint of heart.
But again, oh do beautiful with rich mountain views and the Strawberry
Reservoir below us.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPH4SBZclpkEs3K6D8YKddxysCMz9DM9ovSJ06L-immDgeQpGIxdy2lL2axD0JG6ZCxwoGA-pxbhNx2HJS5FxT9kHX36uhS2zNtqsA0vgg1u5zq4vfuM0R9XC3i_sabfvB_ZmFe-EDCs/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPH4SBZclpkEs3K6D8YKddxysCMz9DM9ovSJ06L-immDgeQpGIxdy2lL2axD0JG6ZCxwoGA-pxbhNx2HJS5FxT9kHX36uhS2zNtqsA0vgg1u5zq4vfuM0R9XC3i_sabfvB_ZmFe-EDCs/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<i>Colleen Martin and Blue on day 3, photo by Steve Bradley</i></div>
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Thunder and I were lucky enough to complete all three days
of this Pioneer ride. Colleen and Blue met her goal of finishing days 1 and 3,
taking day 2 off just to have a good time. We were truly blessed to be able to
have this adventure. And now we wonder “What the heck are we going to do in
2017?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-58851020928783255752016-06-05T19:34:00.002-07:002016-06-05T19:34:38.220-07:00Hallelujah! 5000What better place to finish up Thunder's 5000 AERC miles than at Outback Hallelujah Trail multi-day! Gorgeous trails, wonderful footing and big loop rides with very little repeat. Extremely refreshing! And then to be able to top it off with our special accomplishment of 5000 miles among good friends, well it just doesn't get much better.<br />
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<i>photo by Sierra Westlake</i></div>
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The first day started out cool with frost on the ground and ice on the water buckets. Thunder was full of himself and acting like a stupid kid, a few people thought I must be riding a new horse and it couldn't possibly be the one with all the miles. We circled, we zigzagged, I tried all sorts of stuff and then finally did what usually works. Got off and led him until he settled his silly bad self down! Then I got back on and we trotted on down the trail. He still had attitude but not as much! We only had a few miles left and he saw two horses ahead and just had to pass them. I tried to convince him to eat grass and just chill but no way. So with about 2 miles left I told the gals ahead that we were coming around. Thunder cantered by and kept on going to finish 8th. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhkE-FnsOcZszTuBYnxXe5WMhFuJlui3UL1FEEAbLD7zf4snfvo9oZya7CI-oCa81InYTA_ig2CUk5SNAX_h2E0GyyLzk_0deKGLKLGwxiZmKzfPlE1jKwCbGwzmEGl0Zr6alqYDAqEg/s1600/IMG_5067-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhkE-FnsOcZszTuBYnxXe5WMhFuJlui3UL1FEEAbLD7zf4snfvo9oZya7CI-oCa81InYTA_ig2CUk5SNAX_h2E0GyyLzk_0deKGLKLGwxiZmKzfPlE1jKwCbGwzmEGl0Zr6alqYDAqEg/s320/IMG_5067-X2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>photo by Sierra Westlake</i></div>
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The second day we rode with my friend Trish Frahm. Thunder loves her mare Sahra and waits for her. So we had a much calmer ride as Sahra set the pace to suit herself. Different people kept asking me "How many miles do you have on Thunder now?" I knew if we finished that day we'd have 5000 but I didn't want to say anything for fear I'd jinx us. So I'd mumble something and wander off. HA! But when we were vetted through by Cassee Terry DVM at the finish I said, "Yeah he got his 5000 today!" With an 8th place finish.</div>
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And just because we could, we rode the third day also. Lots of gates on this day but some nice trails. The vet check was in a shady Pine grove and Thunder chowed down happily. We placed 6th all by ourselves and had a great day! </div>
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From the time Thunder was born he knew he was important. He said "Look out world, here I come." I owned his sire then, Z Mufaurwa, who now stands at VanGilder Arabians. His dam, Rushcreek Hollie, was my pick for the mother of my next endurance champion. I picked the oldest bloodlines as close as I could find them. Hollie had over 25 lines to the great war mare *Wadduda 30, imported by Davenport. Like any good horse it seems we had setbacks. Surgery on a leg that was developing crooked and later required special shoeing. A setback in training as we had a wreck in the Owyhees and he ran free for 6 days before being found pretty much unharmed. We persevered and with the help of great friends and the good Lord, Thunder and I made it to goals I thought we never would. </div>
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I can truly say "Hallelujah we made it!" </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-68917410644358856542016-05-19T19:50:00.000-07:002016-05-19T21:01:17.945-07:00New AERC Decade TeamThe Owyhee River Challenge endurance ride marked Thunder's and my tenth year of completing AERC rides. Thunder is my second AERC decade horse. <a href="https://aerc.org/static/Decade/Decade_KBumgarner_Zapped.pdf" target="_blank">Zapped</a>+/ was my first.<br />
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Back when Karen Chaton interviewed us about Zap and our Decade award, a question asked was "In choosing my next horse what would I look for?" I replied that I already had him. Thunder was two yrs old then, I'd owned his mother, Rushcreek Hollie, and his sire, Z Mufaurwa. He was born with that attitude that you knew would make him a good tough horse.<br />
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This is the view I've mostly enjoyed for thousands of miles and many many trails. Our journey hasn't always been fun and games. I have spent many a moment cussing him! Yet he is the endurance horse I bred him to be. We completed our first AERC ride in 2007 at Weiser Rail Trail. Then we had a huge train wreck in the Owyhees that fall. The short version is he spent 6 days in the Owyhees and was found by my friends while I spent 3 days in the hospital. But, again with the support of friends, we made it back and Thunder is now on the edge of his 5000 AERC miles.<br />
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<i>Thunder and I with Jessica Cobbley riding The Big Brass and Sarah Jackson on Street Cop. Photo by David Honan</i></div>
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After that rough "come back" year, Thunder and I just kept going, we had issues to work through but I never quit! I think my favorite ride on him was Owyhee Canyonlands 5 day where he won the 5 day and got overall Best Condition. I remember just sitting out there with him in the moonlight and enjoying his presence, and being grateful for the team we'd become. Nothing like a good strong horse to put you in awe of their amazing power!<br />
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<i>Jessica and I strolled into the finish of Owyhee River Challenge 55 miles. Photo by David Honan</i></div>
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Thunder has spent many a mile trying to make my battered old body into a faster rider. I've spent many a mile trying to slow his red head down so my body could manage to ride the miles. Somewhere in there we reached a compromise! Congratulations Thunder! And here is to maybe another Decade! Although we'll both be pretty long in the tooth by then!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-50567844908287334482016-05-07T08:40:00.000-07:002016-05-07T08:40:02.608-07:00Ghost Riders at Still MemorialLast week I just had to get out of Dodge! I was going to burst if I stayed home. So Friday at 9:30 AM I was tossing stuff in the trailer, loaded the Blue and off we went for Prineville. My dear friends Cole & Charlotte Still, along with Alice Warner, and the Prineville Ridge Riders had put this ride on for over 40 years. We used to help every year in the old days when that area was "home". However they are gone now to better trails but I could hear their voices calling me.<br />
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Cole and Alice built many trails and added to the trail system each year as time went on. And I'm sure <a href="http://karenshorsetales.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-tribute-to-stills.html" target="_blank">Cole</a> rode the ride for 32 consecutive years and as I rode this year I recalled many of my old endurance friends. I know some of them were riding with me. My trail angels. </div>
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The views of the Cascades are gorgeous as you climb Grey Butte. I remember one year Speedy's saddle slipped and I got off to fix it. The bugger wouldn't let me back on and Jo Calver came along and saved me and helped me back on the big guy!! Not sure how many times I've ridden the ride, I know my first year there was 1978.</div>
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The trail off "Still Hill" drops down to those alfalfa fields you see in the distance.</div>
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I like how the USFS has put up signs for the Cole Loop. Sadly vandals had torn some of the signs down. At one time Cole had put up horse shoe markers along the way. The route is mostly single track trail. </div>
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The Buck Brush or Bitter Brush was in full bloom and gave off an amazing aroma as we trotted on through towards the big pasture and Weigand well. Blue and I had a great ride and an awesome day. He finished with all A's on his vet card. I'm happy I was able to visit the homeland for a day and remember the good times with friends of the past and present. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-13029954163192259192016-03-22T08:00:00.001-07:002016-03-22T08:00:26.285-07:00Second Ever Endurance 101 ClinicWe had a great group of people for the 2nd ever Endurance 101 Clinic near Adrian, OR.. There are few things in this world more gratifying than making new friends, sharing knowledge, spending time with old friends, riding horses and eating calorific food! How can you beat that?!<br />
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We had sun, wind, bugs but we managed to do our "classroom" stuff where we chatted about what endurance rides are, clubs and organizations, feeding, conditioning, pacing, managing your horse and a whole lot more. Then I shared my contents of a crew bag that would be handy at the vet check. Then we hid from the wind and had lunch. I shared easyboot information with Amy Heward. Shoulda got a pic of that! Oh darn we should have gotten a pic of a lot of things but we were just busy.<br />
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After lunch everyone learned how to take their horse's pulse and listen for gut sounds. The wind made that a challenge as we were suddenly deaf and found it hard to hear what we were looking for! We then had a mock vet check with Virginia Ware and myself impersonating vets and examining horses, telling riders what we were looking for and why. Each person had a rider vet card to work with. They trotted their horses out just like a real check. Giving them more to know when it comes down to the real thing.<br />
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Afterwards it was saddle up time. I had a 13 mile loop without any gates, and a shortcut to make it 8 miles. Everyone had a great ride. One participant said she had a nice trail ride but had learnt that endurance riding was not for her. She still had a great time!<br />
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Virginia Ware got a nice shot of part of the group as they headed out to ride. Samantha Alley, Joy Haines, her friend Sabine Saley who was visiting from Austria, Tammy Gray and MaryAnn Yamamoto heading out of camp.</div>
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Debbie Grose riding Jack out through some sagebrush. We couldn't do the "creek" loop because the water was too high. </div>
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After riding we did the next best thing, we potlucked and ate some really great food! What a spread. Several people stayed and camped and we rode the next morning too. Virginia and Bob had so much fun they stayed an extra day. Thank you all for coming. I hope you go through the DVD's and soak up all the info on them. See you on the trail!! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-27641679228806961122016-03-05T19:46:00.000-08:002016-03-05T19:46:15.594-08:00Spring is On The Way!!It's been warm the last couple weeks, grass is growing, birds are singing, and yep, I AM riding!<br />
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Rode up the sand washes</div>
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Took what we call Hallelujah Trail to the rock</div>
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Brass in the cave of Hallelujah rock</div>
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Some deer in the sand wash</div>
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Does and last years fawns</div>
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Another day with Blue</div>
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We were serenaded by this colorful Meadowlark. It just doesn't get much better than enjoying the wonderful creations and the world God gave us! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-80278123957953302392015-12-26T08:54:00.001-08:002015-12-26T08:54:34.499-08:00Tis The SeasonI hope everyone had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! I have neglected the blog - again. It's been over two months since I wrote here, and now it is closing in on the end of 2015 and the coming new year!<br />
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It's a frosty 14 degree Idaho morning, making it a good day to catch up and reflect on Christmases past, family and friends, the horses I rode in remote beautiful lands, the year that flew by, sorrows and joys, and the new year to come. Some day I may even figure out how to escape to a warmer place for the winter, where perhaps I could string Christmas lights over a big cactus!<br />
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Until then, I'll continue with an old New Year's resolution of ride more and eat less. I've been pretty successful with that idea. I think I'll just try to keep that going. Perhaps toss in a new place to visit where I have never been before. I have a long list of places I'd like to ride but the problem is always the same limiting factor, time and money. HA! But if I only visit one new patch of God's green Earth a year, that's a pretty good adventure!<br />
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Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!! Enjoy!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-53394930168290992492015-10-13T10:32:00.001-07:002015-10-13T10:32:23.428-07:00Brass Goes BronzeThis past weekend at the Owyhee Canyonlands Endurance Rides, The Big Brass earned his ApHC, Bronze Medallion!! To achieve this he had to complete 350 AERC miles of 50 mile or longer rides in a year. The first day of the 3 days of Canyonlands found Brass and Beth Nicholes trotting down the trail. At days end they had 360 miles to date. :) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Steve Bradley took this of the 3 of us at Canyonlands; Thunder and I, Blue and Colleen Martin, Brass and Beth Nicholes</i></div>
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Now getting an ApHC (Appaloosa Horse Club) Medallion isn't the hardest thing in the world to do, but consider a little over 2 years ago that Brass was a rescue horse. A horse I acquired when someone said "If you can catch him you can have him." You can read Brass' story <a href="http://karenshorsetales.blogspot.com/2013/09/saga-of-big-brass-part-1-catching-game.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<i>Brass and I out trail riding. Photo by Trish Frahm</i></div>
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Since our beginnings in the round pen he has developed into a personable trail horse who really likes to go places. And he has also become the camp clown playing in his water tub and looking for cuddles.</div>
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<i>Photo by Laura Spear, Beth and Brass on Oregon 50 miler.</i></div>
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I teamed him up with Beth when she wanted to do well her last Junior year. With one ride yet to go they are setting in the Top 3 of PNER and AERC points and miles for Junior riders. Pretty proud of the two of them. In addition to that she also rode him in the first NW Appaloosa Endurance Championship where Brass was the second place Appaloosa! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923509358877678566.post-33636737041008022015-08-27T22:06:00.000-07:002015-08-27T22:06:33.241-07:00Meet "Rio"Shortly before I was to leave for the Chief Joseph Trail Ride, I got a call from Gene Winchester, an Appaloosa breeder in Homedale, ID. <br />
Gene says, "Karen I have a gelding that you need to come look at."<br />
"But I don't need anymore horses Gene."<br />
"Well you really should come look at this one." Gene says.<br />
So of course, me being "me", I just had to go see what was so special about this one. Curiosity killed the cat as they say. I tried to resist but it's futile, I contacted his son Elgin and made arrangements to go look.<br />
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I got there and didn't see Elgin so I just showed my self around. I've been there enough times I know several of the horses. But there was this one horse that just gazed at me. He watched my every move. I went to see him, scratched him and saw that he had shoes on. "Oh you must be someone's special boy." I told him. And then I went to look for the mystery horse, taking pictures of different geldings. But every where I went those eyes were staring at me. He was just giving me that lost puppy dog look! "Take me home!"<br />
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Just about the time I was getting ready to leave Elgin shows up. I asked him who the big gelding was that wouldn't stop staring at me. "Oh that's the one Dad wanted you to look at."</div>
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"And what makes him so special?" I asked.</div>
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"He's old Lever Action breeding, Dad said you liked old LA."</div>
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OMGosh! Not only did I like old LA, I loved that big black & white horse! I had his last daughter, my beloved Diamond, and lost her. I cherish my Peanut because he is an LA grandson. So I tell myself not to get too excited and try to calmly ask, "So is he a son or grandson or what?"</div>
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Elgin says, "His mother was a Lever Action daughter, a really nice black & white mare. This guy is really gentle and has some training." We talked a bit more and I left with Elgin asking "When are you going to come get him?"</div>
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In the meantime I learned that his name is Owyhee Justice. His mother was my Diamond's older full sister! I find it interesting that out of all those colorful horses, I had spotted her nephew. And he had made sure that I would keep coming to see him by giving me that intense stare. </div>
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I went back to check him out closer after I returned from CJTR, where I'd spent a week of watching over 125 Appaloosas and riders retracing the historic Chief Joseph route. My friend, Trish Frahm, went out to the farm with me. Her reaction was "He's huge! But he's so cute. Should we get my trailer, it's closer." Ah, what are friends for anyway! </div>
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The next day I took the trailer, picked up Trish, and off we went to get my new boy. He almost put the halter on himself, he was definitely ready to go home. It only took us a few minutes to load him up and off we went.<br />
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Trish went with us for our first ride on the hill too! And he loves her black mare Sahra. <br />
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Since the first ride I have nicknamed him Rio. He has a lot to learn on trails but is smart and fun to ride. I just have to find a high spot to make it easier to climb up on the almost 16 hand horse. So Rio is learning to be "short broke" as I call it. They have to get where you can lead them up to stuff so you can get on! HAHA!</div>
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I'd had Rio for a couple weeks when we went for an evening ride and it was when the Soda Fire was burning. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset early in the evening. </div>
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As we headed home and down the hill we could see the fire burning 20 miles away.<br />
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People ask me how I like my new horse. My answer? I think I'll keep him for awhile! ♥</div>
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<span id="goog_1497903227"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1