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