Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

You know, I've spent a bunch of years reading ridecamp, nearly from the 
beginning, and I don't remember reading anything about how much 
importance riders place on money.  To me, despite the little bit of 
acrimony, it got me to pause and think about it.  The only stuff I've 
seen about money here was about LQ trailers, the effect of the Emirates 
on endurance, but nothing about quality of life-stuff.

[Stev, you can stop reading here]
Even More Storms.  Musing a bit, like others, I've strode (stridden? 
<g>) the corporate treadmill, then explored various levels of 
self-employment for 15 years, some that paid the (nearly) big bucks, 
and some that allowed me the freedom to take 3 day weekends EVERY 
weekend for 5 years--that decision to make less money and take more 
time off.  Then a few years of 7 days a week adding two professions I 
loved to the one that paid most of the bills.  And a year ago the 
biggest change of them all, from conventional living to that out on 
unimproved land, hauling water and running off of a generator for a 
while, just to be able to live with my horses instead of boarding.  
From three bathrooms, three floors to one, and daily responsibility for 
my three horses--no more staying late in town to avoid the 
traffic...instead limiting trips in to two days a week and taking the 
obvious income cut as a result, and building my photography business, 
working from my heart instead of my head.

Am I riding more?  Well, it was a heck of a transition.  My faithful 
Rubberband has waited for me, and at coming-8 has turned into the kind 
of horse that can be pulled out of his corral on a moment's notice, and 
perform beautifully.  Why I thought it wouldn't rain the day before 
yesterday, when it was predicted for the evening and the skies were 
gray--I even neglected to take wet weather gear.  When the skies opened 
up 5 miles from home, he handled the adversity well--not being ridden 
in the rain-part, tres ordinaire, but being ridden by someone with 
incipient hypothermia from under-dressing!  ;-)  This year has allowed 
their feet to strengthen since first changing farriers 18 months ago, 
then a year of barefoot, Thursday's ride with three shod horses in the 
slippery stuff and some asphalt really reinforced my thought to give 
the EB Epics a shot first instead of shoes as his workload increases on 
our abrasive ground.  I am so lucky to have two adults with practically 
self-maintaining feet that don't flare or crack.  The baby seems to 
have equally good ones. Rah.

Conditioning is now a priority again if it would just quit raining, as 
I stare out at the inch per hour rate it's doing now...I wouldn't trade 
the last year for anything--I learned a lot about myself, I learned how 
to conserve resources, enjoyed living closer to nature (as long as I 
had an Internet connection!)

What would I do with that mythical million?  I'd be on my own land, and 
not a buddy's--and in more of the boonies than I already am, maybe out 
of SoakedCal.  Or I'd have a 4x4 instead of a 4x2 for that dirt road 
that turns to chocolate mousse with the water table constantly up so 
high--I'd have a bigger roof over my horses, or a three-sided run in 
shed in a pasture.  Oh, and the few more bits of camera gear and 
computer.  Share a bunch of it with others, which was fun in the past 
good times.  Self-insure my horses and gear so I wouldn't waste so much 
money.  The LQ trailer?  Maybe fix up my 4h's dressing room with a bit 
of insulation and built-ins.  In either case, with or without money, 
I'll be happy with continuing health, great critters, good friends and 
inspiring work.

By the way, our trails have held up remarkably well despite 50+ inches 
of rain, from what I'm hearing about the rest of SoCal I should be very 
darn happy.  Come on up and ride!

Lynne
dang, just out of propane; thank goodness for small electric heaters!  
Ain't getting outta here today...

On Feb 19, 2005, at 11:40 AM, Chris Paus wrote:

> I tried to start a thread about training tips for horses and riders, 
> as I'm getting a young mare ready for competition, but my post died 
> for lack of interest... it's more fun to debate the same old crap ad 
> nauseum, I guess.
> ?
> chris
>
> Steve Shaw <sshaw@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> What happened to ridecamp being about horses, rides, equipment and 
> such?
>  (Not including someone defending their lack or access to $$)
> Where is Steph when we need her?
> Stev

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-