When we found out we won

I have been trying to sort through my thoughts to do a Post ride entry in the blog. I guess I should pick up where I had really left off, heading to the awards. Our class, Open Heavyweight is always the last to be announced. And the Horse is last, after the Horsemanship awards. We had started seven in our class, but Don had to pull Sunday AM to take his daughter and her horse, and trailer home after she had a bad weekend. She got broadsided in her truck Thursday near camp, so her truck was totaled, then she and her horse had an accident on the trail, and both were hurt. Thankfully it was not worse, and both will heal and be on the trail again. But, we were down to six in our class, and ribbons are given to 6th place. Just like many horse shows, they announce 6th, then 5th, etc. on up to 1st. So, I am sure I am like many riders who sit there hoping to not hear our names early. As they went through the Horsemanship placings, I was hoping to hear my name for 2nd place, as another rider, James Keene has been trying for a National Horsemanship award. I wanted to see him get 1st, which was just what happened. Then, through all the Novice horse awards, working to our class. As they started on our class, I found myself shaking. I knew Hank had a pretty good ride, but I was not sure how good. James and his mare, Sassy, have won the Presidents Cup twice, and are a VERY nice team. As they announced 3rd, and neither of us had been called yet, I was an emotional wreck. If I won 1st, I would know right then and there that we won the Presidents Cup. Winning 2nd meant I needed to wait for Cheri to call me, and tell me how her ride went in MO. so we could figure points. If she Sweepstaked, we would be tied, and then had to compare who had more 1st places, which we were tied, and then it would go to most 2nd places, which she had more. Anyway, the vet was announcing the awards, and she messed with us some, kind of delaying announcing 2nd. James had a hold of my hand,and I was about to burst. When Hank was announced for 2nd, I had to explain to those who were not aware of what was at stake, why all the fuss. The awards were just wrapped up, when the phone rang from Cheri. I ran outside of the building to answer the call. I was talking way too fast, overly emotional, and not able to take much more. I just wanted to know NOW how she placed. Poor Cheri. I know she was not expecting to get THAT on the other end of the phone. So, when she told me how she placed, and I did not hear the word sweepstakes, I of course started to cry, knowing Hank had won. She kept telling me not to cry. (sob-sob-sniff-sniff) The connection was not terrific, and we cut it fairly short so I could go back in and let those still in the building know. James came out and met me, and I could barely squeak out that we had won. Lots of hugs, congratulations, and a bit of a blur.

As I was walking back to the rig to hug on Hank, I felt this odd feeling come over me. I still can not really put it in words. Kind of a calm release of emotions. The tension was released. From about May, until this ride, I had been constantly thinking about the next ride, then next ride, all aiming towards year end goals. Now it was over. Hank was munching, oblivious to all he accomplished.



I'm happy with how he is looking after those last 6 rides in 7 weeks.


I finished packing, said a few more good-byes, sent Text messages to Hanks fan club, and finally started my drive home. Thankfully that was uneventful, since we had massive thunder and lighting storms all scattered around Texas, and bursts of heavy rain. Got the horses home, put blankets on them as a cold front was coming in, and headed to bed.

Yesterday I spent the day doing very little. It was weird to not be cleaning and repacking the camper and trailer for another ride. Still kind of an odd feeling and emotions. I have still been thinking about the rides we did, re-riding some of the trails in my mind. As I was walking to the barn in the dark, I had a memory of some of the late walks I took Hank on after his surgery to graze him. Still amazed at what he accomplished. Although he is still difficult at times, and very opinionated. I'm sure that will not change, even with another 1000 miles of competition.

Today I went out in the pasture, and snapped some photos of Hank with his pasture mates. He was happy to be grazing, and have some well earned mud on him from a good roll.




Thelma also had a good roll.

From colic surgery......

......to Presidents Cup winner.

I am numb, and feel this huge emotional termoil lifted off of me. I just can not believe Hank won. I will have more to post when I can gather my thoughts. Right now I need to go kiss his nose again, load him in the trailer, and head home.

Waiting,

Had a great ride today. Hank and I rode by ourselves for most of the day. I found myself thinking of all the rides we attended this year, where we traveled, and the places we rode. He was pretty much as perfect as he can be. Cheerful, listening to me, and careful through the woods, around and over downed trees, and avoiding bogs. Drank well enough, and his metab olics were all pretty good. No alfalfa all weekend, and his gums never did get injected. So, I need to investigate that some more. We had a timing issue, and had to push a bit in to a P&R, trotting maybe a couple miles, and he had no problem with his pulse coming down. So, that too I am wondering if it was something so simple as alfalfa. Until I do some tests with feeding him some, riding, checking metabolics, and then not feeding it, I won't know for sure. But they are always a learning process, and what works for one horse, might not work for the other.

Weather started out a tad chilly, then warmed up. Towards the end of the day, the humidity level had came up, and clouds are starting to form for possible thunder storms. but, that is Texas weather!

We are waiting for score cards to be done, and then awards. I am of course and emotional wreck. I am so blessed t have had this oprotunity to take Hank all over the country to rides this year, and that alone was worth all the work. But as I mentioned before, I am competitive, and am anxious to see the outcome. Even if we do not win the Presidents Cup, am know we did our best, and hopefully encouraged others to reach for some goals they had never dreamed of with their horses. You never know the full ability of you and your horse until you try, and are maybe pushed a bit to go out of a comfort zone and take it to the next level.

I have a happy, sound, fit, and healthy horse after 16 rides, and thousands of miles in the horse trailer. As I look out the camper door at him munching, I can not believe how good he looks.

Ahhhh, the horn sounded for awards...

Only 25 miles to go

We did not have to ride out super early this AM, which was good, as we had some fog in the morning, that would have made seeing the trail markings a tad difficult. But as we headed out, the fog began to lift, and we could tell it was going to be a beautiful day.



The area has a few ponds and lakes, and the fog hung above them as the sun slowly started to shine through.




The ride has a variety of different types of trail, from riding pastures, to through the woods, along beside the lakes, and more open areas along power line easements. After the rains, we had some areas with bogs, but I was lucky to not have any issues with them. A few riders did, and the trail has some adjustments for tomorrows ride. We had one little issue with Hank got his hind legs caught in a stickered bramble vine. He was pretty uptight, and about to explode into a panic, as it had a good hold of him, and poking into him, actually causing him to bleed a little. I told him to WHOA, and he stood as I jumped off, grabbed my knife I keep clipped on my half chap, and quickly cut the vine loose. Remember, if you have to dig in your pack, or can't find your knife, it may not do you much use. Usually, when one is needed, it is quick. And having it on ME, was sure a good thing after I hopped off to get him cut loose.

he was a good boy for what obstacles the judges watched. Backed nice to hank a trail marking ribbon, stopped nice and steady from the trot and stood like a rock when asked for the vet to check him on the trail, and was careful through some rocks for the horsemanship judge. His metabolics were good, and he did NOT have injected gums today, like he has been at some of the past rides. I will feel better if it goes that way tomorrow, and then will mention what small change I did. But right now, I'll just say I was pleased, and home tomorrow goes the same.

He had is good friend Khidd ride along with us today. It was funny when we headed to time out this AM, he had not seen Khidd yet, but when he saw him over across the grass, he marched over next to him, stopped, and then started to eat. Funny how horses can be friends with ones they only see a few times a year. and usually Hank is out front, so it is not like he follows him all day. I never get tired of watching horses interact with each other, and try to figure out how they think about other horses, herd leadership etc.

So tomorrow is to be another beautiful day. We ride the same trail, but the other direction. I am trying to stay relaxed, but focused, and not do anything that will mess Hank up, since he usually has things all figured out. lol At least he THINKS he does.

So, 25 more miles to do for this season, then it is does except for the score cards. Whew, what a season it has been!!!

Rain makes mud. Mud is sticky

I was not in a huge hurry to head the 180+ miles to the ride today. Not that long of a drive. Waited for radar to clear from our area, and in the direction I'd be heading. Put Hank out in the small grass corral for a bit to graze, after spending the night in the stall. All he wanted to do was play, run around, stop ans slide towards the rail, then kick his heels WAAAAYYYY up over his head, rear, spin etc. Of course this brought much worry to me, that he would hurt himself, so back in the stall he went with more feed until time to leave.

Had to stop at the store on my way, and then it was East Texas bound. I realized that most of my rides I did not have much city driving, but this ride took me right through parts of the Dallas area, with more traffic. I used to live in So. CA, so traffic does not get to me much, but it was a reminder that we do live in a small town, and kind of like it that way.

Uneventful drive, got fuel so I would not have to Sunday night, and was just a few miles from camp. My GPS told me to turn, but for some reason it did not look right, so I went up the road a bit more. Then saw she was right, and looked for a place to turn around. Now this truck is like driving a great big boat, and takes a good sized area to do a U turn. I found a spot that looked good, pulled over to the large shoulder, and waited for traffic to clear. I started my turn, and as the front of the truck got to the other shoulder, I saw that we were NOT going to make it, and stay on the pavement. As I got in to the grass, I saw the big puddle in the low area / bar ditch. Uh huh, we were needing MORE room, and before I knew it, the front of the truck hit soft ground, and it was like that puddle grabbed the truck, and sucked it right on down in to it. I was stuck. I jumped out, water above my ankles, and flipped the hubs in to 4 wheel drive. But alas, we were stuck beyond 4x4. A truck stopped, and offered to pull me out if I had a chain. I had better than a chain, we have a large tow strap, that is strong enough to pull the rig, but rolls up nice and neat behind the back seat. As we were attaching it, another truck stopped. Nice young man, who looked like he lived to pull wayward fools out of the mud. So, the other truck had to get some where, and left the latest arrival to help. Got things hooked up, and he pulled me on out, and back on solid ground. The whole thing, from the start of my U turn, to my getting out of the mud maybe took 7 min. Did not even need to call US Rider!

A major DUH! moment for me that could have been worse. The whole rig was at least out of the road way, so not at risk of getting hit, and no damage except to my pride a little. And yes, I remembered to get the camera out, as it was next to me in the cab.



I have had this tow strap with me since we got the truck in 2001. Have only used it a few times, but when needed, it is usually REALLY needed. Hubby does not like chains, because if something happens and the break, then when they fly through the windshield, it can result in serious injury, or worse.

Hopefully that is the most eventful thing to have happen to me this weekend. More later!

Last ride of the season nerves

After going to 5 rides in a row in as many weeks,in 5 different states, we had last weekend "off" from a ride. The weather had been really nice, and hubby and I got to go ride a few times. Just some easy, casual short rides on our local trails. The colors on our trees are just starting to change, as we have not had any super cold weather snaps yet.

Flag really seemed to enjoy getting out on the trails again. He and my hubby really get along great, and I'm so glad we have had this cute pinto come in to our lives.

And I'm glad hubby is getting to enjoy the trails again, and all that we might see while out on a ride.




We have had rain most of the day, and tonight it is coming down a bit stronger. Tomorrow I am heading over to the last ride of the season for us. This ride will be the one to determine if we win the NATRC Presidents Cup or not. The rider who we are so close in points with will be competing in MO. this weekend. We won't know who won the award until we call each other Sunday night after each of our ride awards are announced. We are only 4 points apart for the Presidents Cup, which is given to the horse with the highest number of points in the first 16 rides of competition in a ride season. We are also only 6 points apart for the Jim Menefee award, which is given to the horse and rider with the highest number of points from the horse and horsemanship combined. I am amazed at how close we are going in to the last ride.

I will admit, I am nervous. I have competed with horses since I was a child. I started in 4H, and then moved in to smaller open horse shows, competing in everything from english, western, gymkanas, jumping, trail horse, you name it. I competed in Combined Driving Events with my last Arabian gelding. I started in NATRC when I was a junior rider in the mid 70's. Hank and I have done endurance, and he completed the 100 mile Tevis Cup in 2005. Competing is nothing new to me. But, I will admit, I have been nervous all week. I have been worried the horse might do something stupid in the pasture and hurt himself, or one of the others would kick or bite him. All I need is a big bite under the saddle! With the rain tonight, he is locked up in the stall. I even worried that he could some how hurt himself in the stall. lol

This has been an awesome year. I have ridden in placed I never thought I'd get to see. I have met many wonderful people who love the sport as much as I do, and made new friends. The time, effort, and expense has been worth it to get to see so much of the country from the back of my horse. But, I am competitive, and will freely admit, I really want to win. Many years ago my competitive nature had made me really horrible to be around, and often the competition would mess with my judgement, and I eventually ended up hurting my horse at a ride. Bowed both tendons. It was a very hard lesson learned, and a big slap up side the head that I was forgetting that competing with a horse means that I am in charge of BOTH of us, and that I needed to remember to put my horses needs before anything else. No award is worth hurting your horse. I still see riders who have not learned this, and push their horses beyond their limits. I have said that if my horse and myself are not having fun, and enjoying what ever sport or activity we may chose, then it is time to change things up, so we are having fun again. Competitiveness can often make things not as fun. So this year, I made sure that we were BOTH enjoying ourselves at the rides, even when staying as focused as possible to do well.

So, this weekend, I imagine will be the toughest test on me to enjoy the ride, my horse, and all our friends, while concentrating on doing well. If we don't do well enough to win the Presidents Cup, I am still ecstatic on how well Hank did all year, and the opportunity we were given to travel so much to compete. This will be a year I will never forget.

And thanks again to all of Hanks "fan club" for riding along with us on this adventure. I know that our adventures will not end with this ride, and this season, but it was sure not a direction I ever thought this blog would take!

Hopefully I will again be able to blog from the ride. I will have electric power, so the computer won't have to get its battery recharged, and the coverage map shows I will have 3G for phone/internet.

Now it is time to listen to the rain fall, and worry about what I have forgot to pack. ;-)

Some snapshots from the Nebraska NATRC ride

Fall leaves blanketed some of the trails




The MO river was just behind camp




Views of the MO river from up on the bluff / Ridge looking towards the North into MO


More views towards the river from Friday


The sun was beaming down through the trees when I went for a short ride on Friday




Our camp


Down one of the hills through the woods


I just could not get enough of the Fall colors and leaft blanketed trails


Along the edge of the woods