Indian Territory Saturday

We timed out at 700 to start our novive 18.1 mile ride. It startedout cloudy, though it didn't look as though it would rain. This is a rocky ride so pacing was a lot of starting and stopping between the walk and trot. We had mostly natural obstacles. The first one right out of camp was a steep uphill observed by the horsemanship judge. Later we had another steep uphill of rock that were a series of steps. The vet judge asked us to put the horses front feet up on a rock. We usually ace this as he likes to step up on rocks. However right as I went to ask him to step up, the horses in front of us started to leave and Dixie ran into Liberty's backside. So, we blew the obstacle. Major bummer. Later we had a mount, which went well. He's super turned on by treats for mounting. I always had to back up to a ribbon and then trot over a bunch of brush. The back as decent, if rushed job. The trot was not good as we smashed the sticks to pieces. Our P&R's were both good, and since it was a hot day, I was very pleased. Liberty has been calm and cool and mostly well behaved and easy to rate He improves every ride.

Indian Territory

This weekend is the Indian Territory trail ride. This is one of my most favorite rides in the region since the only time we can ride at John Zink ranch is this time of year, on an organized ride. Maggie has never ridden this ride with me and I'm so happy she'll be with me this year. She's excited because there is a full class of juniors. She is eager to test her skills against some other kids to have some feedback about how well she and Dixie are truly doing. She says she'd rather come in last against the other kids than come in first only because she is the only kid. I don't think she has much to worry about since two weeks ago at Pole Canyon ranch she did so well. Her scores were in the top 2 competitors both days, even though she was the only junior. I would love to do well because IT is the one place I have one twice...once on Deli and once on Freeley. It would be cool to get a trifecta...but I don't expect it. The class has 10 people currently so I will just go and have fun and hope we finish sound.

I still haven't had time to post about Pole Canyon. I think part of my problem is that I had so much fun, it's hard to sit down and write it out. I'll do better at IT...I'll post from the ride on my phone as it happens.

We bought a new tent for the ride. It's a 14x16 cabin tent. I think it's the same size as my living room at home, LOL. I wasn't going to set it up b/c Maggie and I like camping in our truck, but with a 50% chance of rain I think maybe I will set it up to have a dry place to sleep. I can't leave the windows down in the trailer if it's going to rain. I will at least take it with us. We leave tomorrow morning at 5am.

Bonnie is growing

Maggie had Bonnie on a platter the other day...She said: Bonnie is ready for dinner. It's amazing how big she has gotten.

Pole Canyon Ranch

I had such a lovely time at Pole Canyon Ranch this weekend. Maggie and I agree that we have never ridden anywhere that was more beautiful. The ranch had challenging terrain and it was fun to walk, climb or run around. The photo above is a photo taken on the trail Sunday. I have a story to tell, but I can't seem to get geared up to really type it out. Hopefully tomorrow I will have the energy to write.

Exercise and diet

Today I begin a 2 week dessert fast. No sweets other than all natural. No cakes, cookies,etc. Especially no ice cream. I get back to food journally. I already returned to my Maya, Wii fitness coach work out this moring. I started with a flexibility workou because I was sore from the pole canyon ride this weekend. I will continue to alternate between Maya, Wii fit and the gym. I will also start weight lifting.

I weighed when I came home last night. I guess Alanna's cooking put on some punds. Or it's water weight. I often gain on a trip but this is ridiculous. I am almost 8 punds up from last Friday. I don't see how that is possible.

No great escape

Today after receiving about six inches of rain, I turned Fiera out for her few minutes of round pen and grazing freedom. As much as I hate locking her up, I hate the idea of her being hit by a car on the road. Today, the pasture was a swamp and that made the fence hotter. Instead of an escape, Fiera wasted her grazing time pacing the fence and being shocked.