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[RC] Delayed ,Chicken Chase ride story.... - JANUSTUDIO

CHICKEN CHASE I & II ~ LD IMPRESSIONS

A late ride story here, so just some impressions of the 2006 ride.

Drive up ~ rain, rain and more rain….a warning call from friend ML Stockdale…4 wheel drive required and we will be parking way in the back…the thought of turning around actually crossed my mind.
Yes, 4 wheel drive required, but I couldn't get it to engage…duh, forgot that I needed to put it in neutral first…Finally, Bill got it in 4 wheel and drove it without a single spin to our 'outback' camp site…
Everyone settled in, everything muddy, muddy and more muddy…

This was my granddaughter, Paige's first ride here and she was hoping to do both days of the LD. Back to back rides were a first for her too. So the mud didn't bother her. But then, she is only nine. Mud never bothers nine year olds…even if they are girls.

Showers stopped while we had the awards for those drenched souls that braved the first day of the pioneer ride. My goodness, what a large group of diehards…I'm thinking there were over 40 riders this day!

The sky was clearing and I'm sure every soul there had their fingers crossed, because something sure worked. The weather was clear and cool the next two days, making our stay and ride just right!

Trails ~ I really enjoy doing this ride because of the excellent trails, even though those gravel roads seem to get longer every year.  This time it was muddy, muddy, muddy.  But the horses just sloshed through and we had a great time. And this time those gravel roads didn't look so bad after slipping and sliding in all that mud.
Paige's little horse prefers to follow, so he isn't harassed by 'nasty Slick' (my horse), but does tend to fall behind, which kept Paige busy trying to keep up. Jack always thinks his way back is behind him…She has just learned the skill of crawling up into the saddle by herself, so she was proud of herself.  On the last loop and after one pee stop, she announced she needed to once again, but Granny Jan encouraged her to wait as we only had one more mile to go.  That last mile was hard on her…bad granny…
Horses checked through easily, and we were done for the day. Paige's Mom, who has become a great crew took over her daughter who collapsed on the couch with her sandwich in her hand and was promptly asleep…
Later while we were grazing the horses, she decided she would ride again tomorrow even though she had said she was too tired to do so earlier. Jack looked fine so she was back to her smiling self once again.
I was planning to go again the next day for no other reason than my horse needed it badly for his little brain training. So, the next day for us was to be an exercise in 'focus'…
At the awards that evening, after a luscious chicken dinner, Paige was awarded a big stuffed chicken.  She was certainly all smiles then, and the next day's ride was looking better and better.
Mary Lynn and Breeze were bowing out because of the stress of the mud, so we were on our own…At least until the next morning, when Sue Keith asked if she could ride with us, as she was just going to try and finish with her favorite mount, Cinnamon who was coming back from an injury.  Great! 
This combo worked perfectly, as Sue kept her horse behind slow Jack, so that Jack picked up himself and stayed up nicely behind his nasty buddy, Slick.  We did the muddy ten mile loop first. Checked through great, then while waiting for our time out, Slick, out of the blue, had himself a royal spook and nearly unseated me. Scared everyone nicely, but fortunately no one was hurt, only pounding hearts…This was the same move he did at Big South Fork last year that landed me on the concrete tiles of a creek bank…That was not fun at all, so I was thankful I was able to stick with him this time…However, after that he was seeing spooks everywhere.  Paige handed me her 'go stick', and we were able to stare down most of those dragons as we proceeded to do the 15 mile loop.  This loop was in wonderful condition, and did lots to educate Slick's little mind…I was smiling when he finally asked to slow down a bit…Don't think so.  I was worried some about Jack, as he always acts like he is barely able to make the next step. But it was for naught, as he pulsed down before Slick, as usual, and all too soon we were finished.  Paige did ask to slow down on the last mile, so we walked in this time and she was a happy camper…Granny Jan must be more diligent in getting her jr. rider to drink and eat along the way…something I have trouble with myself.

Again she was all smiles; even though the stuffed chicken awards had run out…She had ridden more miles this weekend than she had done all of last year.  So, a T shirt for the crew (Mom) that kept us going, and all was well.  Already planning for her next ride…Derby Dash.

Thanks to Amy Whelan who always makes for a good well planned ride, and to Bill Wilson who donated his top soil to the cause…

Janice & Slick, Paige & Jack