Well, it has been a long time since I posted
any update on this blog. It has also been a very busy summer. Spring was warm
and dry so we started our trail riding early. In June we went horse camping
with the barn group in Hell, MI. This campground is nice but not much accommodating
to horses. There are no picket poles, so you had to tie your line between
trees. The trails were not groomed and there were so many deer flies that we
had to try to trot. This was difficult because of the overgrown branches that
suddenly appeared in your path around a turn. Overall, it was a nice weekend
with friends and our beloved pets.
The summer was very hot. We did our first parade July 4th in Northville, MI. It was really hot. The horses were a bit nervous at first because of the crowds and narrow streets. Kids everywhere...
I went riding with
Barbara and Carol quite a bit. Carol and I go for the fast rides. We can cover
15 miles pretty fast. This gives me a taste for endurance riding, and I kind of
like it. We would try to ride out early in the mornings to beat the mid-day 90
degree heat. Annie is coming along nicely. She is proficient on the trail and I
can tell she likes it, especially if there are tall grasses that she can grab
and go. She calls it fast food. Even at the trot she will grab some on the way.
In August, I signed up for a competitive
obstacle course in Ray Township. This was organized by ACTHA. Alice came with
me and we borrowed Barbara’s two-horse bumper-pull trailer. It was my first
time driving a truck pulling a trailer. I did great and stayed between the
lines. We camped overnight and in the morning, after breakfast, the course
began. We each had starting times so we don’t overcrowd the obstacles. The goal
is to perform six obstacles spread over six miles of trail in the allotted time
without losing points or getting disqualified. The judges are judging the
performance of the rider and the horse. The obstacles were opening a gate, walking
over a tarp, walking over a long wooden bridge, walking thru the wine
simulator, going up and down a small hill at a walk, and side pass over a pole.
The results: I came in first in our division. Alice came in sixth. I for sure
she would do better than me as she has been riding longer than me. But Annie
did me proud. Oh, I also got best dressed! It was so much fun. I will do this
again, but need to practice side passing.
At the end of September, the barn has organized
our second camping trip of the year. This time we are going to Hocking Hills,
Ohio and will camp four days. It will be fun. Some of our regular campers will
not be able to come, but new campers will join in. I will give us a chance to
get to know each other better as they are new to the barn. Bruce is coming
along even though he does not have a horse. We will go hiking in the Hocking
Hills forests one day, by foot. Maybe he can rent a horse. We are staying at
the Spotted Horse Ranch.
Summer is ending fast, Annie is shedding her
summer coat, I presume the winter will be a cold one. Keep on riding!
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