Cover Girls

Hey look it here - my buddy Linda Ballard and I are the "cover girls" of the AERC June Endurance News!! She is riding her mare and I have my red Thunder pony. WOOHOO!! Merri Melde took this at Owyhee Tough Sucker. What Fun. Perhaps I should go show this to Thunder, he may like to see a pic of him and his girlfriend Arie.

OWYHEE FANDANGO 55

I went - I rode - I had fun - but I didn't always have a whole lot of fun. Call it a bittersweet weekend. The good news - Z Blue Lightening completed his very first endurance ride with Tom Noll aboard. Tom did a great job with Blue and they had a good time, placing 8th!!! The bad news, Thunder and I met the hammer and were pulled at 45 miles. My "lame" horse looked perfect the very next day, racing around in his little pasture as though he'd never even been ridden. Hmm. I'll spare you the details. Sometimes thats just the way it works but suffice to say each day that there were MANY pulls! This was an International ride with FEI rules, not your everyday ride - I like those MUCH better. Actually I just like to ride and have fun!!

Scavenger Hunt

Well here's a silly picture that might give you a big chuckle! Last week I took Hollie out for a little ride. I had seen a shed deer antler a few miles out the previous week and wanted it for "yard dacor". So Hollie and I headed out in that direction. It was pretty warm and I figured she'd give it up pretty quick and tell me "You've got to be kidding!" But nope, instead she told me in no uncertain terms that I have left her home far too often. She was really enjoying getting out! Head high, ears perked, tail flagging in the wind, and off to see the world. That's my girl!! Even tossed in a little jump or two to see if I was paying attention or not.

We got out to where the horn lay in the grass and sage. I got off and picked it up and looked around for another one. Maybe? Ya never know. Didn't see anything and decided to head back. We saw a couple antelope bounding through the brush. And about 1/2 a mile later I saw something white in the distance. I decided to ride in that direction and see if it was bleached out brush or perhaps another antler shed. Sure enough, this one was a four point. I got off to get it and thought, okay, now how to carry two of these. No saddlebags. I tied the smaller one behind the saddle and opted to hang on to the bigger one.

Which was okay only if I would trot or lope, the antler behind the saddle would poke me in the butt. Or it would turn downward and poke Hollie in the butt. She didn't like it any better than I did. So we walked back to the trailer, watching lizards and horn toads scurry off the trail and out of the way.

So now my developing rock garden has two old deer antlers in it to dress it up a bit. Wonder what I'll pack home next time. Hmmm...

RIDING THE TOUGH SUCKER

RIDE SUCKER.....RIDE! That's what it says on the back of my latest ride prize Tshirt. Pretty funny but true. We say that a lot, along with Shut up and Ride!

Truth is - Oreana endurance rides declare the new ride season open, and also close it in the fall. You know spring is here when you can go to Teeter's place on Bates Creek and saddle up and enjoy the sagebrush, sand washes, creeks and friends.

I have concentrated on slowing Thunder down, I joked about turning him into a "plodder". When Linda and I rode out of camp, nearly last, as we checked out and they asked us how you doing this morning, "I told them just plodding along." Thunder was calm, on a loose rein, relaxed. I kept telling Linda, "Wow if he can do this all day I'll be thrilled." Sometimes I wondered if it was really my Thunder. I think he's growing up. We rode across the flats above Pickett Creek thencircled back around to cross Bates Creek. Thunder loped a bit on the shoulder of the road, relaxed and easy, just having himself a very good time. Then we turned west again, passing a few riders here and there, and looked at those beautiful snow capped mountains to the west. Then it was down the Pickett Canyon trail and across Bates Creek with a mile and a half in. Thunder was thinking he was done, so he spooked and played through the wildflowers.

His pulse was down to 60 immediately, we vetted through and got 30 minutes to eat and change what needed changed, add what needed to be added, replenish water and all that before returning to go out. This time it was a 25 mile loop. Yeah we get to go somewhere. This loop went through the Brand's place and up the hill, swept out across Hart Creek via sand washes, and then turned to bring us back over more hills. We had lots of water and our horses drank every time! Then down Pickett Creek trail and into camp again, still shying at all those fun things.

Again the pulse dropped right away and we thought we were around 20th. This time we got to hang out in camp for 40 minutes. The final ten mile loop took us out to the Hart Creek rim and we could look down at where we had been earlier in the day. As well as the interesting sandstone formations in the landscape. It was a beautiful view. We could see riders off in the distance but we basically had it all to ourselves as we left the rim to go down the canyon trail one final time. The horses got a good drink in the creek and as we trotted out Thunder found a pair of alligators (logs) and shied twice from left to right in a heartbeat. Yeah, he was tired. LOL!

We trotted in and plodded across the finish line and the timer says "Do you want to tie?" Linda and I said we don't care. Well you can, to which we replied, doesn't matter. Then the guy says, well you are Top 10. We loked at each other and left and said NO WAY, we were sure he must have missed a few finishers. But nope we had plodded our way to 8th and 9th!! That was a shock. We didn't go fast, we walked when we needed or wanted, trotted and tried to keep it down to a dull roar and loped occasionally. Our finish time was 6:05. We had a great ride, the top 10 was just a surprising and welcome bonus!

Linda's mare and Thunder looked good, they vetted well and we didn't bother to show for Best Condition. The time factor was too big so we just got our completion and was pleased with that.
Sure hope my horse stays in this relaxed enjoyable pace mode, maybe I'll plod through a few more rides!

Welcome Spring

I admit it, I've been rather bad about keeping up my blog. I've been really busy with moving into the new place and fixing it up, building fence, just a ton of stuff to do. Friday was the last day of spring break and I skipped work and declared it a work day at home. Got the pen all finished and the horses off the pasture. Sounds like a simple task but it took a lot of work and time. The horses like their new loafing shed, even Zap stands inside it when it rains. There is a surprise!

Yesterday the pasture got plowed and seeded. So now I get to do the farmer thing: appreciate the rain, pray the wind doesn't blow all the dirt and seed away, and hope for a nice pasture for the horses. The garden spot got dug up and with some raking out is ready to go. I can plant cool weather veggies now. Th daffodils I planted last winter in front of the house are blooming now adding some color to the yard that I just seeded. Spring brings all things anew as they say.

A week ago, March 21, the South Central Idaho riders put on an endurance and trail clinic and I was one of the speakers. It had been a long time since I spoke at any clinics or seminars so I know I forgot a few things. But I was pleased that those that came enjoyed it and had a good time. My biggest piece of advice was "Know your horse" and every little detail about him. My next tip was to Return to the Basics, get a stethoscope and learn to really take care of your horse on the trail and at home. Do more trail riding vs condiioning rides, exploring and going places with your horse, it really brings the two of you together outside the competition world. We had MC Isaac as our model and he patiently agreed to letting one and all take his pulse, listen to his gut sounds, examine his legs and modeled some easyboots. He didn't admit to it but I'm sure Isaac enjoyed all the attention.

Yesterday when us gals rode there was new grass everywhere and the Yellow Bells are beginning to bloom. The brown hillsides are getting some color and new beauty. A month old calf that had wandered from mom followed us for about a mile convinced one of the horses was mom. Poor little guy. Mom had probably stashed him somewhere and he failed to stay put as told. But the range cows are resilient and we know they'll match up again. We had a bit of rain but it was warm so none of us cared. We think we'll be in shape enough for Steph's April Tough Sucker ride. It'll be slow but we'll be fine. The ground is drying out so in the next couple weeks we'll have to head out to Devils Gate and Three Fingers.

However today it's back to the same old stuff. Cold and hard winds. Wind chill is about 15 this morning. BRRRR! Have a great spring!

Favorite Quotes

As I was out enjoying and my horse and the beautiful view of the Snake River today I was mulling through my mind where I was a year ago with Thunder. And I thought, wow! Have we come a long ways, I sure wouldn't have been out riding him all by myself! That took until last summer before i did that.

One of my favorite quotes after my "crash" is John Wayne's "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." That quote just speaks volumes, and it hangs on the wall of my utility room so I see it every time I walk in the door. But it also assumes that you are getting on the horse, so my addition to that quote is "Real courage is being scared to death but riding the horse anyway."

A few more strides on the trail mixed with fleeting thoughts and I recalled how last fall at Owyhee some people thought it amazing that I had ridden this horse after all that we went through. Trot, trot, trot. Yeah, but I told myself so many people tried to DIScourage me from riding him that they almost had me believing that I couldn't. Thank God I had friends who ENcouraged me and told me that I COULD ride him! Truth was that I had to ride him. I had my doubts but when I thought of that "Courage"quote and John Wayne it was "I can do this!" Trot, trot, trot, ever notice how discourage and encourage both use the word COURAGE yet have such different meanings? It's so easy to influence people by the use of words. Lope, lope, trot, I would have missed out on so much fun had I not ridden him. John Wayne also said "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." Trot, trot, trot, Thunder and I have shared some great trail moments in the Owyhees and Sawtooths. Oh he's still a hot head and a handful, but we are working at it. Trot, trot, trot, and a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do too. So little time to ride compared to all the other things I have to do. OK Thunder we gotta make plans for this summer. And sometime I have to start riding your cousin too.

Thunder lopes along effortlessly through the sage and sand and the view of the Snake River is just gorgeous. Curlew are swirling overhead and whistling, they are upset at a hawk flying in their territory. The sky is dark to the south and looks like snow down by Three Fingers. The sandy road tracks down the hill with the amazing vista of farms mixed with wide open spaces on the other side of the river. Life is good, thanks for the ride Thunder!

Cowgirl technology

Wow didn't we just bring them in? Seems like it but here we are behind 30 cows and bulls heading back out to the BLM allotment. For January it was a pretty nice day. We had some fog, some sun, no wind which was a blessing! Only one flat tire on the way up out of 5 trucks and trailers. Not bad! Fine little ice crystals hung on everything. The creek was frozen solid including the little water falls.
Oh where was my good camera? Forgotten. But I at least had my trusty camera phone. Technology on horseback. You can ride along, send a text, take a picture or call someone if you have a signal.
We were all loaded down with warm clothes and well prepared. We had less snow this winter up there. Last year we were crossing big snow fields. There was a bit of ice though. Blue splayed out in front and just went down on his nose but got back upright without going down all the way. We laughed that he looked like Bambi on ice! He didn't like Ranger behind him after that either, maybe he thought Ranger pushed him. :-)
It was a good day to get out. A nice easy drive, only took three hours which has to be a record. I told Joe we are either getting good at it or the cows are! Fourteen of them did know the way which helps a lot.
Yup once the cows go out that means spring is right around the corner. HOORAY!

Zap - still full of fire

ZAPPED - he's 25 1/2 according to the calendar but he races around like the colt that still lives within. He has no trouble out running the youngsters, and he has more wind in him than they do too. Who says old horses have to slow down. The grand old man has 6480 AERC miles, LOTS of Regional and National awards and he loves his mare and being the boss of the herd.
This being the horse that came to me because his owner called us one snowy night and after introducing himself said, I understand you buy problem horses. It seems Zap liked to buck, and his owner wasn't fond of that. That was November 1989. When I first saw Zap he was a steely dapply grey, a wispy Arabian full of snort and fire, he ran with his head held high and his tail flagging in the wind. He was willing to be touched only if he trusted you. Willing to be ridden only if you truly rode him, took him places and yes - let him run and he would buck for sheer joy.
In the beginning I didn't like riding him. Yes he was smooth, yes the miles seemed effortless for him. But he was spooky, flighty and you never knew when that buck was coming. But at the time, I had nothing else to ride. But a day came when that all changed. To make a long story short, while out marking one of our endurance trails, we got caught in a horrendous electrical storm. I headed for the "gorge" as I knew the lightening would strike the ridges. We trotted and loped the gorge for three miles with lightening bolts hitting trees not 20 feet away. I was scared stiff as Zap bounced through the ditches and over the sagebrush dodging lightening bolts in the pouring rain. He could've run off, dumped me, bucked, but he did none of those things. He paid attention and we melded our talents and became a team that day and forever. As we neared the end of the gorge the storm subsided, and we looked liked drowned rats as we made our way to the trailer. The storm was exhilarating, the ride a thrill but there truly was a togetherness and happiness within us.
Over the miles and the years, little has changed. He's still snorty, full of fire and there will never be another like him!
Thanks old buddy - and long may you reign as king of the pasture!

Snow ponies

The white Christmas is still here two days later. Thanks to the wind relocating the snow I have drifts a few feet deep and areas with only a few inches of snow. As I walk around to do my chores I get surprises now and then as I step into a big drift that I didn't notice in the blizzard because I had my head down avoiding snow in my face. My dog, Molly, loves to play in it. and the horses roll in it and play. They are crusted with snow, little icicles hang in their mane. Thunder just wants scratched. They enjoy their warm beet pulp on days like this. I sure am glad that I didn't have to drive to work this morning!! Here is a little video for your further cold day entertainment. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6379897839774587415 Happy winter everyone.

Taste of Winter

Today it is cold, windy and snow has been coming down sideways. I think most of it just blew right on by! But we all know that December means winter, Christmas, baking and fat food. I have been working inside my house, still making necesary repairs and putting things away since it is simply too cold to ride. I'm not that much of a die hard! Even the cats are hiding in the shed and Molly is sleeping on her cozy bed. No one wants to be out there. I added some music from one of my favorite groups, Third Day, to the blog, crank it up and enjoy!