 |
[RC] Cuyama XP - long - GarnerTWell, Jonni, this was my first multiday, so I guess I'll throw my 2 cents in. Since it was my horse's first multiday effort, I decided to do just the 1st two days & save all 3 days for next year! My friends and I have helped mark trail for the XP ride for the last 2 years, but was unable to ride my horse (how frustrating was that)! The Duck was nice enough to let me in late after I sent several whining emails to him, and I now have my endurance nickname thanks to the Duck! The camp was extremely crowded as Jackie said, but when you think there were 150 riders on Saturday, being crowded makes sense! My horse was an idiot the first morning. Usually he's calm & reasonable, but Saturday he chose to act as if he were an untrained 2 year old. We trotted the entire first half of the ride, and that included Chalk Mountain. I finally got him to walk a little when I met Melissa Schuler (sp?). Thanks for riding with me! By lunchtime, Taz was finally ready to listen, slow down, & drink! The next morning was priceless. As I put the saddle on, I could see the wheels spinning. As we left, it was the death march, with yearning & longing glances back to camp. Once he knew we were out for sure, he was perfectly well-behaved, so he learned his lesson about saving energy on that 1st day. I rode with my friend, Diane Farnsworth, whose horse Farov was not tired at all from the day before. I can't tell you what his new nickname is! We had a good time, but decided we're both too short to get on & off so much to open those wire gates. Jim & April Mitchell have some of the prettiest property in the area. You're driving along the road, looking at fairly desolate country, when you turn up their dirt road. You drive a few miles, and you are in a beautiful green paradise. Day 1 had pretty good footing & lots of water on the trail. I thought it was a great day. At the lunch break, we saw a Tule Elk bull - that was really cool! I really appreciated lunch out on the trail, my horse had worked me, so thank you. On Day 2, the footing was really rocky. My horse is a wimp & the rocks bothered him - next year I'll easy boot him. Most of the ride is uuuupppp a long road, but there were several places to water your horse & the Duck was at the summit with more water. Lunch was held in a cow pasture, but everyday we had good sandwiches, chips, & beverages available. After lunch, we continued down through several ravines, we found water in a creek, & we also scouted out a trough. Although we only did 2 of the 3 days, I feel very proud of my horse. At the end of day 2, one of the vets said he didn't even look like he'd done the hills today. He came in to each vet check with his pulse down, & his hydration & gut sounds were good. I loved having no vet card or number, but lest you think the vets are cavalier about the horses, I can tell you they had their eyes out for problems. The only problem I encountered was a tack problem. My saddle made Taz's left side so tender, I probably couldn't have started the 3rd day. The tender area is way up where the & fender meet. I'll be checking the rigging to see if I can spot what the problem. Dolly, thank you for the liniment & the girth suggestion. There is no wound or chaffing of any kind, just very tender. I'd like to thank my husband, who instead of hiking around the area, took Jim's truck out to the lunch stops with all the extra crew bags. He spent hours out there & he helped out a lot of people. I understand on Day 2 he received a marriage proposal! He was a big help,holding horses, getting sandwiches & drinks for us, & he even vetted my horse in. Thanks, Terry. I had a great time, the food was good, the trails were magnificent, the people I rode with were fun, the vets were great, and my horse did fine...what more can you ask for? Kathy Garner aka "The Whining Trailmarker" & Taz P.S. We'll be doing both days at the Lost Padres - See you there! ============================================================ I don't think you have to join a gym or buy frilly outfits to get some fitness. A decent set of shoes and a 15 minute dismount here and there will help. ~ Jon K. Linderman, Ph.D., FACSM, Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
|