Mellow Rides

[DDSLYONS@aol.com]

I attended my first endurance ride in over 10 years a couple weeks ago. I was 
really impressed, and so glad  I finally decided to go, even if I only trail 
ride now. I purchased the horse I have as an endurance prospect as a 
yearling. She is out of a pure Arab sire, who has sired many fine endurance 
horses, and a running Quarter mare. She is almost an Anglo-Arab by breeding. 
Funny how things turn out. She has many fine qualities but toughness is not 
counted among them. She hates "fast" at any gait and is a natural born 
western pleasure horse if there ever was one. I ride and drive her, and she 
thinks I'm trying to kill her if we ride over 10 miles. I loved the laid back 
attitude of the ride. The trail was beautiful and well marked. There were 
even prizes and certificates for the trail riders. Unheard of when I was a 
hard riding competitor. There is life after competition on the trail, and I'm 
glad I rediscovered it. 
Debbie