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[RC] re: BSF 2004 - LaBrake, Denise AApril, Thanks for sharing your ride experience with us. We are an extremely green team (my Arab Mare and I) and with your sport but, I know the distance riding is for us. Although, I fully accept and understand the importance of time and how it will take us a good 2 or 3 years to enter our first ride. It sounds like just the kind of ride I would love to do. It's ironic to me. Before I owned my first horse (been 5 years now) I used to ride friends horses. I lived it Upstate NY. One in particular was a Polish Arab Mare who was a retired cutter from out west. She was mistreated a bit in her past life, I think. Mona was a grouchy and stubborn Mare most of the time for her owner until we met. When we road we would trail ride all day and next 25 miles or more through the Adirondack and Green Mountains. She did not get along well with her owner. (A 60 year old lady that was petrified of her and been riding only 5 years). The mare knew I had no fear from within and could sense her owners. Our rides were long and fast. This horse had power and energy that would not quit. You can feel her satisfaction of being on the trails for the full day. She loved it and so did I. I am bored with the arena stuff. Discovering new trails and seeing the land is what thrills me. This is how I used to ride. When I bought my first horse, the plan was to buy and Arab that would take me across the land enjoying it as much as I. So I decided to pick a good breeder and good bloodlines to purchase from. I was concentrating on the temperament. I wanted to make sure it was quality. I also wanted to buy a green horse. One I can bond with from day one, and one with no vices. I did just that, and she is a wonderful Mare. She was foaled and raised in a herd environment. At 5 years old, (once I purchased her, they pulled her from pasture and trained her to walk, trot, and canter for 5 months. Then I took her home. This is our fifth year together. She is 10 now and ready to hit the trails full time. We have established an outstanding bond together that has been a challenge but a great one. I do not regret the way I planned this. It has forced me to learn and understand my horse. It has been a wonderful experience so far. I just joined Ridercamp so we can start networking with you experienced riders and learn what we need to know as we begin our journey. From the sound of your ride, it is right where we want to be! Unfortunately, 3 years of our relationship was taken away from my horse and I. I was in a near death ATV accident. I found out quickly that machines are not for me. Trail riding horseback is the only way for me! Anyway, we overcame that and during my recovery my horse and I established an awesome ground relationship. I just got back on her a few months ago. We are riding 3 to 4 times a week. Our immediate goal is to increase our riding to 5 times a week and try to network to get off our property (we don't have a rig yet, yes NO FREEDOM). In two weeks of networking, I have connected to some outstanding riders and experienced people in my area and I look forward to meeting and hopefully riding next to someday. THANK YOU ALL! Anyone attending the US Nationals in Louisville KY, please look me up and say hello at the AHA booth. I will be working part time. Again, thanks for sharing your ride April, it brought me into the future for a bit and just gave me more drive and incentive to continue our journey. Keep the sharing with us in the future. Denise Simpsonville KY (Saddlebred Capitol of the World) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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