I have a dear
neighbor/friend that I have been slowly courting to come and enjoy the world of
endurance riding. She has a Quarter Horse named Blue (for his one blue
eye!). He probably stands no higher than 14.3 and is built like a Mack
truck with the typical broad base type physique. I adore Blue because he
is truly one smart horse. He takes very good care of my friend and
himself, always drinking at the stream crossings, will eat at any opportunity
and shows determination during our short training rides together.
Haven't yet convinced my
friend that endurance is the route she wants to take, but she's getting more
involved and participating with me in longer trail rides. This past
weekend while I was away at a ride, she decided to attend an ETI sponsored poker
ride that promised to provide a well marked trail, food and water for
the horses and a sure opportunity for getting together with other horse
enthusiasts to enjoy the hills of Chastworth, CA.
She arrived a little
nervous (she's still a novice to all this) and unloaded her little man Blue,
saddled up and joined the group at the start. They did some climbing
on a single track trail and rode for about an hour before reaching the
first "Vet Check" (that was how she described it) and there she dismounted, Blue
devoured everything in sight and took a big long drink. My friend was
served a blended Margarita and offered a variety of goodies.
Next "Vet Check"
Blue again helped himself to all the fixin's and girlfriend was served a
"Jell-O popper" (I think that's what she called it!), which was a Jell-O
serving made with a shot of Vodka and she said they used the "good stuff
Schmirnoff" (sp?)!
Final "Vet Check"
they served more Margaritas and Blue enjoyed the usual. They headed for
the "finish" and that's where the real party was happening.
She came over yesterday and told me, "Nina, I didn't know the endurance
rides were like that, I had a great time, when's the next
ride?"!!!!!
Nina
Bomar