Racing Stripes (LD)...or "Bad weather, a quick 'bath', but so many laughs and memories made!"

So, after ride meeting it was time to hustle back to camp and secure everything down for the bad weather which was approaching.

I tossed everything I didn't want to get wet into the horse compartment of the trailer and tossed tarps over all of it.  Strider got put in his rain sheet, with a high amount of anxiety from myself (the last time he wore his rain sheet over night at a ride was that disastrous Shanghai Trails ride, and he got that touch of colic).  But...I made myself do it, and then battened down the hatches and shut myself in my trailer.

And then it hit.  I could feel the temperatures dropping and getting progressively colder as I huddled up.  The rain...the hail...the wind.  All 3 of us (T.M., myself and A.C.) were messaging and texting.

At some point, something hard and heavy hit my rig. I initially thought it hit my trailer.

But...no....

When I went to check on Hannibal the next morning.  Here's what I saw.

And here's what was laying on the ground by my truck.  Assuming
this is the culprit.  DAMN THING!!!!

So hard to see.  Laying there, all innocent like you didn't just
SCREW UP MY TRUCK YOU DIRTBAG!!!!

Let me say, it was COLD.  I never sleep in socks because I hate the way it feels.  But I slept in 2 pairs of socks and my riding clothes for Saturday.  I read for a while...called Joe at home...kept texting with the girls...it was just hard to get warm with the trailer shaking like it was.  I had my quilt and 2 thin fleece blankets I'd tossed in the trailer a few years ago as makeshift "coolers/rump rugs" for the horses.

But, eventually I managed to settle in and get warm enough to drift off for a few hours.

I woke up around 2 or 3, and forced myself out of my warm cocoon to check on Strider. 

The fabric from my little pop-up was completely off and laying beside it.  One of my neighbor's tents was partially collapsed. 

But, my horse was dozing within his pen.  I opted to leave the blanket on, hit him with another dose of electrolytes, then bolt back to bed for a few more hours.

And, before I knew it, it was time to get up. 

Now, my cinch from the day before had been a little wet, and I'd hung it under my pop up tent to let the wind dry it out.  I hadn't thought to bring my spare cinch.  Thankfully, T.M. loaned me one to use for the day, so I rapidly swapped them out, got him tacked up, wolfed down my breakfast and scampered up to have him vetted through for the day before hustling back to our camp and mounting up.

T.M. and A.C. were already warming up WELL away from the large group at this point, so I joined them as we waited, walking large, gentle circles.

We notice people leaving on trail, so we wait a few more minutes, and then we make our way over and head out on trail.

Strider's a little fussy, so he falls behind as I allow him to graze for a few moments, then he realizes what's happening and he hustles to get caught back up again.

I realize my stirrups are too damn short now that I've brought them up.  *sigh*  Whatever, it's only 25 miles, no big deal.  I can do this.

It's the same loop that Strider and I did yesterday, so I'm still familiar with what we're doing and where we're going.  We quickly cover the first portion, passing a few people, but we're not in a great rush to move out.  We're taking it nice and easy and setting a good pace.

Being a little bit fussy, but still moving nicely
in his rope halter!
(Photo credit: John Nowell.  Picture Purchased)

For a brief moment we had someone join our group who liked our pace. 
T.M. on the gray and A.C. on the adorable appy!
(Photo Credit: John Nowell.  Picture purchased)

And, once more we're back out in the big pasture that's wet and mucky.  I tell T.M. and A.C. that it doesn't take TOO long, we'll be through it soon.

We pass a lady on foot who says she's fine, and I felt kind of bad because I knew she was slogging through water.

And, as we attempt to navigate a large puddle/small pond, Strider dips his head as though to drink, and his entire body just naturally follows, and down he goes.

I'm screaming "NONONONONO!!!"  And T.M. and A.C. are just looking at him and I in shock like they can't believe it.  I had told them a few minutes earlier I can't ever let him stand in water because he goes down, but this, I got ZERO warning on!!

So, it's cold, wet, and it smells.  And I can't get back on in the middle of the pasture.

A.C. graciously dismounts to hold my stirrup while I hop my butt back up.  I'm shivering, but ready to get moving again and stay in the sun.

We go another 5 or 10 minutes and we're going down a fenceline when my Da Brim flies off.  I say "Eff it.  Leave it.  I'm not getting off again."

A.C. says no, she'll get off (AGAIN) and get it for me.  Bless her sweet heart.

And we get back to boogying down the trail.

We cross over the metal bridge, and I point us down the road, and up into the pasture where I couldn't find the ribbons yesterday.  They had, indeed, put a surveyor's stake out with a blue ribbon so it was easier to find on day two.

We wrapped up the pasture, and took a grazing break, then kept on going.

Overall, besides the being dumped in the puddle, the ride was amazing.

As we were leaving the large water trough after the road crossing, T.M. needed to put some chapstick on, but her horse, Galley (Sir Galahad) wasn't quite in gait, so she was kind of bouncing...which led to some hysterical laughter about gaited horses, and the ease with which we could apply make-up.

We were all laughing hysterically, wanting the moment to never ever.  It was one of those perfect moments that make you grateful to be alive, on the back of a good horse, with good friends under the warm spring sun.

This was really only wide enough for 1 horse across.
(Photo credit: John Nowell.  Picture purchased)

It's blatantly obvious in this photo that I'm soaking wet.
PRETTY sure that's cow shit on my sleeve. 
(Photo credit:  John Nowell.  Picture purchased)

After we polished off the first loop, we all vetted in, and again, dropped Strider's head.  At 14 at P&R, not great, but, he was calm and still and not fidgeting.

Over to VC where it was A's down the board and a CRI of 52/48.

And, back to the trailer's for a quick break.

Brief break at the trailer.  Rump rug to keep him warm!

Noshing on our alfalfa yums!

And after sampling the wet "smush" provided.

Holds are always fast, and before I can really blink, it's time to get back in the saddle and get back out on the second loop, which was the yellow loop (I think).  12.something miles.

Finally got to see some different trail. 

We continued to laugh.  We took it easy, while keeping an eye on the clock.  We made sure to stop to graze some for Pegs', A.C.'s horse.  And, of course, ours grazed too.  She would dismount and hand graze him in an attempt to tempt him to eat.  He ate, some.  He just wanted to get going and get on down the trail.

So, we continued to oblige him, although we sprinkled in breaks here and there.

Strider was starting to get a little tired at this point.  He wasn't QUITE so eager to offer me a canter or a gait, though he would if I gently squeezed.  And I'm okay with that.  He was willing and compliant, he just asked (nicely) to walk a little bit.

Just a brief break.  Not very long. 
(Photo credit:  John Nowell.  Picture purchased)

This loop finally started winding down, and we knew, as we came up towards the end, we had about 30 minutes to get back to camp within the window we had set for ourselves.  A.C. dismounted a little early to allow Pegs to graze...T.M. and I slowly walked, allowing ours to graze a little before we reached the dam.  We hopped off and all 3 of us discussed what the plan was.  We opted to drop saddles at the trough and walk over to P&R.  It wasn't cold at this point, per se, or I would have dashed off for a blanket.  The sun was out and warm.

Now, I knew that we were starting to get close to cut-off, and I knew there were at least 2 people behind us, so, as I came in, I asked Linda if I was turtle; to which I was told, no.

DANGIT!!  I reallllly wanted that turtle award!!!

Oh well!!  

Once more to the P&R box, where I had him drop his head.

Down at 12.

Walk over to VC, A's down the board, although B's on guts (which is troubling because he was grazing, heartily, when we stopped for Pegs to eat).

But, ultimately, we got it done, and we had a MARVELOUS time!!!

(As you can tell from our vet cards, we REALLY were cutting it close!!  Needed to be pulsed down before 1:30.  I was pulsed down by 1:21.)

Our vet card!

Splits

	Time	Cumulative Time	Moving Time				Avg Speed	Avg Moving Speed	Max Speed
1	11:00	11:00	10:51				5.5	5.5	7.8
2	9:57.6	20:57	9:55				6.0	6.1	8.7
3	12:44	33:41	12:19				4.7	4.9	10.9
4	8:51.4	42:33	8:51.4				6.8	6.8	10.7
5	8:23.9	50:57	8:17				7.1	7.2	10.8
6	10:49	1:01:46	10:16				5.5	5.8	11.0
7	8:26.8	1:10:12	8:26				7.1	7.1	12.2
8	11:36	1:21:48	11:02				5.2	5.4	9.7
9	12:08	1:33:56	11:27				4.9	5.2	10.8
10	8:49.0	1:42:45	8:08				6.8	7.4	11.5
11	9:19.0	1:52:04	9:00				6.4	6.7	11.1
12	10:02	2:02:07	9:50				6.0	6.1	13.0
13	11:01	2:13:08	10:55				5.4	5.5	11.6
14	10:26	2:23:33	10:15				5.8	5.9	12.8
15	12:56	2:36:30	12:35				4.6	4.8	10.8
16	27:07	3:03:37	20:41				2.0	2.6	11.4
17	0:05.9	3:03:43	--				0.1	--	0
18	0:01.3	3:03:44	--				0.1	--	0
19	10:05	3:13:49	9:40				6.0	6.2	10.3
20	10:19	3:24:08	10:02				5.8	6.0	9.2
21	14:50	3:38:58	11:59				4.0	5.0	11.1
22	11:10	3:50:09	10:33				5.4	5.7	10.7
23	14:15	4:04:24	13:25				4.2	4.5	9.1
24	11:41	4:16:04	11:16				5.1	5.3	9.6
25	10:59	4:27:04	10:39				5.5	5.6	10.3
26	10:19	4:37:22	10:17				5.8	5.8	12.5
27	9:16.1	4:46:38	9:12				6.5	6.5	12.8
28	13:23	5:00:02	10:47				1.8	2.2	4.1
Summary	5:00:02	5:00:02	4:42:07				5.1

After that, it was back to our camp for a well-earned rest (for my horse, anyway!) and some pampering.

It was a little cool, so I tossed his cooler on him, then went ahead and put Ice Tight on his legs.

Hail the conquering hero!!

Or, rather...leave him alone so he can nap!!

Knowing that we were staring at a LONG drive home, and the temps were going to get COLD again, I went ahead and packed up everything I could and made my rig as 'road ready' as I could before morning.

I packed up my pop up, shifted hay bales around, loaded up the truck and basically killed time until the awards dinner. 

Awards dinner was hamburgers, hot dogs and junk food GALORE for which T.M. and I were grateful for something warm that wasn't our OWN junk food from our stash. 

Another shirt, and another ride in the books, OFFICIALLY!!!

Darkness.  In our rain sheet because it's not AS heavy, but still offers some warmth.

I love the twinkling lights!!!

 A.C. told us she was getting up at around 5 and driving for home then (she said she actually was up at 4 because it was so cold, so she just left then).  I hadn't actually set an alarm, but, at about 7 I rolled out of bed, and saw T.M. was packing up.

I was a little sore, but once you're moving, it gets easy.  I continued to shift stuff around, break down my bed and I had camp completely broken down before 8 am.

Last thing to be loaded on ride weekends is my horse!

T.M and I caravanned out of camp and headed on down the road.  We made a quick stop where I filled up again, we grabbed some warm (and DELICIOUS) breakfast tacos, some drinks, and drove on down the road.

And drove.

And drove.

And kept on driving.

The drive really is VERY long.

At Waxahachie we stopped for a break for the horses and ourselves.  I filled up again (hey, why not!), and then it was back on the road.

For more driving.

And more.

We made a final stop in Belton for a break, then we went our separate ways to get it on home.

Overall, it was a successful weekend.  He is DEFINITELY back for the LDs. 

And now, I have the summer to get him legged up for a 50 attempt this fall. 

Good job Strider.  Good job.

Racing Stripes (Intro)...or "How To Do EVERYTHING You're Not Supposed To Do!"

One of the first litanies a newcomer to endurance is told is this:  Do not try anything NEW on the day of the ride.

And, what do I do?

Throw that utterly and completely out of the window and do my own thing.  Because I'm kinda stupid that way.  Don't be like me kids.

Well, okay, so I'm not totally being fair. 

And, let's back it up.

Wednesday night, I actually had the truck and trailer COMPLETELY packed and ready to roll in the morning except for my 2 coolers.  By 9:15pm.  This NEVER EVER HAPPENS.  Usually I'm not done prepping until about 11pm. 

I had also made arrangements with T.M. to caravan up on Thursday.  We planned to meet in Jarrell at 8:30, grab breakfast, and then make the long drive up together.

So, I was up at 6am on Thursday, tossed food, etc, into the coolers, ran them out to the truck, took my last shower, and grabbed the ATV and drove out, grabbed Strider, put him into the trailer and was pulling out of my gate at 7:08, 8 minutes later than planned, but still with enough time to stop for diesel AND for ice.

Both tasks done, and I'm officially on the road....and get to Jarrell and our meeting point at 8:15.

PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM USUALLY A FEW MINUTES LATE!!!

It was crazy!!  But nice.

So, wait for T.M., and we find that McDonald's inside is closed for remodeling.  FINE!!  We drive our rigs through the drive thru, and then we're on the road for the first leg, and 2ish hours of driving.

And driving.

And still more driving.

We finally stop, I top my tank off (because, why not?), give the horses a break and a snack, take a potty break, then wait a bit for this family who left the nozzle in their car while they all went inside, effectively blocking T.M. in.  *sigh* 

FINALLY we're back on the road again.

Driving.  More and more driving.  WHY AREN'T WE THERE YET?!!!!!

Nope, keep on driving.

So, we finally hit the turn off we need, and we follow the instructions for people who are coming to the Priefert Ranch from the south.  We turn left...and we drive.  And drive. 

Now, I'd done this drive 2 years ago, and I did not remember going this far.  HOWEVER, we'd seen a rig that, we both thought, was an endurance rig, so, we think we're going the right direction.

But the further we go, the more wrong things feel.  And then I see a sign pointing to the left to go to Mt. Vernon.  Except, as we'd come up the interstate, we'd passed through Mt. Vernon. 

No.  This was wrong.  I had T.M. pull off, and I pulled up the Priefert Manufacturing on my phone...to realize it was almost 30 miles BEHIND us. 

So, we flip it around after T.M. fills her truck up, and head back.

Nothing more frustrating than written directions that are completely wrong, right?  *sigh*

So, eventually we pull in to camp, and pull in near my friend from Armadillo and her sweet Miss Betsy Boots.  We quickly get things set up, I do a quick nip and rasp on Strider, then sit down and relax for a while.

I like to let my horse relax, eat, drink and take a break before we go and vet in.  T.M. and I wandered over, picked up our packets, ironed out the few hiccups (the pitfalls of changing your plans a few days prior to the ride!), then went back and grabbed our ponies to vet them in.

Now, I had decided at the Michael Gascon clinic, I was going to go ahead and ride Strider in that rope halter.  So, I had him in it, and as I handed off my vet card, I asked Strider to drop his head for me.  Which, of course, he did.  I gently rubbed him, spoke quietly to him, and the vet came up and said he was at 44.

My eyes got wide.  He's usually never QUITE that low.  Low 50's, sure.  So, that was surprising.

But what was even MORE surprising, is that he wasn't fidgeting and the vet wasn't having to follow him as he moved around to check him over.  He stood utterly and completely still for the entire process.

I looked over at T.M. who was vetting in Sunny and said "Look, he CAN stand still!"

Back to the trailers to stuff their faces (he had 3 B's on guts at the initial vetting in) and for us to finish the last of the setting up and to relax for a little while before the ride meeting.

I grabbed my saddle and my new stirrups and put them on my saddle.  Briefly considered doing a leg stretcher ride, but I still had to get my trailer set up for the possibility of rain, and get my cot and bed set up.  And, "I'm just doing the intro tomorrow, I can tough it out!!  It's only 16 miles!"
 

As you can see, dirty pony, but my saddle out. 

Ride meeting was fairly quick.  No food....which I had forgotten to plan for.  Yay junk food for dinner.  I'm awful at planning food for myself when I'm out and gone.

Anyway, get settled in, chit chat with friends as they come and go, and just relax after our long drive up.

Morning dawns, and T.M. gets saddled up early for her out time for the LD.  Strider is a little upset when she and Sunny leave, but I'm able to keep him company until they're gone, then it's time for me to start considering getting him ready.

I marvel at how much time I have to get ready.  I'm able to sit down and actually eat something for breakfast.  I sit and relax for a few minutes before I go and get Strider out of his pen.


I attach the bolt snap to his halter, then take him over to my trailer to get him ready for our 9am start time.  Toss the saddle on, and start cinching him up.  Realize as I start to look around that camp is feeling mighty empty.  I mount up and go over to some of my friend's camps, and see they're already gone, so I go ahead and walk over to where the start is.  I see the ride secretary, but notice there's no one there, and it's 15 to 9.  I look at her puzzled, and ask if I'm late.

No, she says; people just asked if they could just go ahead and go out, so she let them go, so I was free to go as well.  What loop?

"Blue.  The 15.8 mile loop please."

"Okay Erin.  Have a good ride!"


And out we went at a slow walk.


Strider is looking around, obviously confused.  This isn't like any other ride we've done.  The last ride we did, I was asking him to slow down.  This ride, we're all alone.

Pony is confused, but tractable.  So far, we're doing well in the rope halter, and I'm happy as we follow the ribbons.  Not another horse on the trail in front of us for about 15 minutes until we crest a small hill, and I see my camping neighbors on the other side of a very large stock pond.

And, as we crest the hill, over the water, a bald eagle startles into flight.  My jaw falls open as I ask Strider "Is that a bald eagle?  Did we just see a bald eagle?  What a beautiful morning!"  (I did confirm with my neighbors, it really WAS a bald eagle!)

At that point, Strider notices the other horses, and he picks up the pace.  I check him to make sure I have brakes and steering.  I have both, so, I allow him to set the tempo.

Now, remember how I said you're not to change anything on ride day?

My stirrups were too damn long.  I was REEEEEEEACHING for them.  "It's only 16 miles.  We're good."

Eventually we catch up to our neighbors, but Strider is in good form, and doesn't seem inclined to want to hook up with their 2 horses.  I ask if they're okay if we pass, and we chug on by. Later, one of them said "We were just poking along, and here come you and Strider getting shit done!"  It made me laugh.

This actually was an unplanned part of my riding goal for the day.  The big objective was just to make sure he was really sound, and to test the rope halter in ride conditions.  But, he always gets so listless when he's by himself, so I was glad he didn't want to stop and hang with a group, but keep on going.  We need to learn to be by ourselves, so him going on was good.

We hit the large pasture where J.L. and I got bogged down 2 years ago, and, it was wet again, so we slowed down and walked much of it.

And we hit a gate.  A closed gate. 

The string of obscenities that came out of my mouth turned the air blue.  I did NOT want to get off my horse.  I kept HOPING that wasn't the blue ribbon I needed to see on the OTHER side of the closed gate...but...as I stood there and looked at it...I just accepted my fate and with another string of swear words, I dismounted, already looking for an object to stand on so I could mount my horse again.

I considered shortening my stirrups, but, didn't want to lose the pocket I'd built for us to be alone, and he was dancing around, so I said "Forget it.  I'm just getting back on and going."

Took me about 3 minutes to get him to stand still long enough for me to get on.  He'd seen another horse on an entirely different colored trail and he wanted to catch up to them.

*grits teeth*

No dude. 

And off we go. 

We handily cross the big steel bridge with no rails.  My stomach ALWAYS balls up in anxiety as we cross it, but I try to breathe deep so my horse doesn't pick up on it.  And we chug off again.

I'm following ribbons.  And following ribbons.  The turns weren't marked (traditional "turn" marking is three ribbons hung toward where you need to turn), but, I looked further down the road, and didn't see a blue ribbon, so I back tracked, to where the last ribbon was, and turned there (it was a road that either went straight or hooked a right through an open fence).  So, I went through the open fence, and saw 2 other colors on a surveyor's stake, but not a blue ribbon.  There we were, as I did circles in confusion and frustration.  WHERE WAS THE FREAKING TRAIL?!!!

The RM's husband came by on the mule at that point and asked me what was wrong.  I said I couldn't see where blue trail went.  He told me it followed the fence line, but, he admitted it was hard to see until you crossed a hillock or two to see the fence line.  And, sure enough, as I went off the actual road and crossed over the hillock, I saw a blue ribbon.  He said he'd put a surveyor's stake out for others behind me.

So, away we went again.

We get to an open area of pasture, and he asks for the canter, and I allow it.

And almost wept with joy; NO BUNNY BUCK!!!

I was very conscious and deliberate to make sure I gave him lots of rein, that I was sitting back, and that, as much contact as I could make with the stirrups, my feet were forward.

We continue to follow ribbons with no problems or issues until we come to the blacktop road.  I can't see a ribbon, there's no turn marked.  I stand there for a minute, just baffled about what to do.  I look across the road, because I remember from 2 years ago, we crossed over the road, but the other side of the road today, it is plain and obvious this is NOT where we need to cross.  There's a crew of 2 men picking up trash on the road, and one of them compliments my horse, for which I'm grateful.  I briefly consider asking him if he's seen other horses, but...to my left down the fenceline, I can see one of the spotters, so I just decide to ride her direction and see if she can tell me where blue is.

Get over to her, and she takes my number and says that this is where I need to cross.

AH-HAH!!!  So, we quickly get across the road (traffic hauls ass in the country, and this road is no exception!), and find our ribbons again.

Eventually we thread into the woods on the ranch, and the bugs come out full force.  Strider is constantly shaking his head, and I curse myself for not having sprayed him down before we left camp.  I'm slapping off the mosquitoes from him and myself. 

And, for some reason, at about mile 9, we make a left hand turn, and Strider stops. 

Hungry?  Need a break?  Need to pee?

Unsure, so I let him pause, but he doesn't really do anything, so I ask him to go forward.  He does, then he asks to turn around, so I allow it, thinking there was something behind us that he wanted. 

He goes back and continues to backtrack our trail. 

No.  No way man.  We're not doing this 9 miles backwards.

Turn him back around, and from this point on, I have to egg him on.

He'll ask to stop, and I'll generally allow it.  I am just POSITIVE he needs to pee, which is why he keeps pulling off into the grass.  He won't eat except for a bite or two of grass, but just keeps stopping and standing, or turning back towards the trail we'd already covered.

His breathing isn't labored, he isn't sweating and the bugs have left.

I'm once again just stuck thinking he needs to pee.  NOTHING says he's really in distress.

Okay, I decide.  If you won't stop, drop and pee, we're going to move it.  You're being a child Strider who's sulking because this isn't the bathroom you want to use.

Let's move it.

It was as we're chugging down this trail, we run into our ride photographer, who seems surprised to see us doing the intro.

I quickly explain we're coming back from an injury and trying out new tack, but we'll be doing the LD tomorrow, as he snaps some photos of us.

He may have his "happy ears" on, but I can assure
you, we'd already been 'quibbling' for the past
mile or so about his need to stop for no valid reason.
(Photo credit to John Nowell, purchased)

See, fussy ears on.  IGNORE MY LEG OMG!!!
(Photo credit John Nowell; purchased)

I'm egging Strider on with my leg to move it out, and I'm getting the hoof in response.  *sigh*  Lovely, the type of ride I LOATHE with my horse.

We once again cross the road and continue on down the trail at a pokey walk.  Occasionally I can nudge him up into a gait, but he is sullen and bratty about it. 

Yep, we've hit the wall where it's either my horse needs to pee, or he's pissed off we're all alone and we haven't seen another horse.

We do, however, catch a glimpse of another horse on a different color trail again, and once again, he picks up the pace and moves out well for a few minutes...then jams the brakes on again.

I stop at a cattle ring with lots of the hay on the ground as a pee stop for him, but he doesn't want to take advantage of it, so, we keep on moving.

Big, open pasture, and you need to keep a good eye open to find and follow the surveyor's stakes.

A deep ditch to cross.  I skip that and use the road beside it to cross. 

And we keep on going.

Eventually we come up out of another brief stretch of woods, and, the trail just seems to vanish.  I cannot see or follow a blue ribbon.  I know where I need to go.  This is a closed pasture, and I can see where the gate keeper SHOULD be, and their chair is there, but there isn't a human in sight.

I say eff it, and just head that direction after backtracking to the last blue ribbon, and then following the tree line for a little way.  After not finding one, I just head towards the gate with a shrug. According to my Garmin, I was right at about the number of miles I needed to go.

We're nearing camp, and once we get to the road to cross into camp, I dismount and hand walk in.

Again, as I'm doing the intro which isn't timed, I just walk over to my trailer to dump off his saddle, grab my vet card and walk over to the vetting area.

Remembering the evening before, I grab the noseband on Strider's halter, place my fingers at that spot on his poll, and gently ask him to drop his head.  He stands utterly and completely still as Bo takes his pulse.

"13" I'm told.  I make a face; that's a little high, in my opinion, for a horse not in tack, but, if he really has to pee, I'm not at all surprised it's high.

Walk over to the vets, and again have him drop his head...and once again, I am surprised as he remains still for Dr. Seymore to check him out.

Final vet card:

Strider's Ride Card from the Intro

I'm unhappy with those B's on both days.  I'm honestly unsure what happened there, because he ate Thursday and on Friday, and I even let him have some alfalfa at the trailer before we went over to finish.

But, we completed our Intro intact, and I've now learned a few new tricks to help my horse out at vet check.

My friend G.G. and Miss Betsy Boots have already left by the time I'm back to camp, so I relax for a little while and start looking at my watch.  I've been watching the riders come in, and so far, I haven't seen T.M. and Sunny come in to camp yet. 

I send her a text to make sure she's okay, and she calls, very upset.  They've had to backtrack several times, they can't find the ribbons, and she knows the clock is ticking and they're about a mile or so outside of camp, but they can't find the trail.  I tell her I'll be waiting for her, we're going to make sure they get through.

I walk over to the dam and wait for them.  Eventually I see them coming in, and as she hops off, I ask her how much she cares about her placing.  If she doesn't care we have the time to go to her trailer, strip his tack and get a blanket over him as it started to rain as they were coming in.  Horse is always first, so she said let's get to the trailer and get him a blanket.

We dropped her saddle at her trailer, grabbed him a blanket and went over to vet check.

Of course, Sunny was a rock star, pulsed in and vetted through just fine.

No dinner at ride meeting that night (junk food for dinner again *sigh*), but...I, of course, earned a shirt for the intro...but...going to grab the blanket and drop tack netted Sunny the Turtle award for the LD!!  :)

Now...on to day two, and our LD....

My form is ALWAYS garbage.  But, pony is cute!
(Photo credit to John Nowell; purchased)

And, as always, stats:

	Time	Cumulative Time	Moving Time				Avg Speed	Avg Moving Speed	Max Speed
1	10:57	10:57	10:48				5.5	5.6	10.4
2	9:39.5	20:36	9:38				6.2	6.2	10.2
3	11:08	31:45	10:54				5.4	5.5	11.2
4	10:33	42:18	8:38				5.7	6.9	11.3
5	8:53.5	51:11	8:40				6.7	6.9	12.5
6	10:12	1:01:24	9:50				5.9	6.1	10.5
7	11:39	1:13:02	11:26				5.2	5.2	11.5
8	11:22	1:24:24	10:56				5.3	5.5	13.6
9	18:26	1:42:49	17:28				3.3	3.4	9.3
10	15:23	1:58:12	13:11				3.9	4.6	8.5
11	14:49	2:13:01	14:32				4.0	4.1	9.2
12	11:10	2:24:11	10:55				5.4	5.5	9.6
13	11:25	2:35:36	11:21				5.3	5.3	10.5
14	13:09	2:48:45	12:50				4.6	4.7	7.9
15	12:16	3:01:00	12:03				4.9	5.0	10.4
16	19:04	3:20:04	18:04				3.1	3.3	10.0
17	5:37.8	3:25:42	2:45				1.0	2.1	3.8
Summary	3:25:42	3:25:42	3:14:46				4.7