Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Old Pueblo Day 2 (or Land of a Thousand Gates).

Really, I'm quite sure I've never opened (and watched John open) as  
many gates on a ride as we did yesterday. not that I'm complaining...  
it was good training. It could have been worse - at least half of  
them (500+) were small horse-width gates with latches that could be  
opened and closed on horseback, horse willing. But good grief they  
must have small grazing lots in that part of the country to have so  
many fences and gates. But the grass -was- abundant everywhere we  
rode, and they can certainly manage the pastures better with smaller  
lots. (compared to the Owyhee country where fences and gates are few  
and far between... but so is the grass).

But - it was a spectacular ride. Lots of single track trail, winding  
up the mountains and down the mountains. Dirt roads winding through  
grassy hills, rocky mountain trails - picking the footing, slow  
enough to appreciate the sweeping vistas. Mountain ranges, foothills  
covered with last year's grass (still gold and brown) dotted with  
live oaks, and mesquite, and prickly pear. Juniper, century plant,  
agave, cedar, ocotillo ... an abundance, a variety. Many oohs and ahs  
all day. A cool sunny morning, perfect riding temperature. The air  
had cleared from the previous day's wind and dust. Warm in the  
afternoon, but never too hot. Really pretty all day.

Kevin and Clydea shot up front at the start of the ride, but John and  
I planned on riding slower. This would be the last ride of the  
southwest winter tour and the horses have both worked hard and I  
thought they might be tired. (not). But anyway we decided to take it  
easy. We pretty much rode mid-pack the first half of the day - a 28  
mile loop - gorgeous, but we were ready for  lunch when we got there.

We negotiated our planned (slower) ride throughout the morning.  Mac  
is hungry. can't he eat while he's walking? Mac needs to rest. can't  
he rest while he's trotting? I thought you said slow. Isn't this  
slow? Jaziret was pulling the entire day, which is a wonderful thing  
in the grand scheme of endurance, but not conducive to slow.  It's  
one thing to go slow on a horse that is content to go slow... but  
it's very hard on a horse that wants fast.  I think we did a pretty  
good compromise myself!

The front runners were still at the hour hold when we got there.  
Kevin and Clydea both looked happy - moving along in 3rd and 4th  
place, horses strong. Kevin on Far (and fast), and Clydea on Jim's  
off-the-track horse Peppy (fast). Kevin said he was holding Far in  
the entire way. That horse is the border collie of horses - hyper -  
he even trots back and forth to food/water/shade/rest in the paddock.  
He's high energy. And so is Kevin... watch out. We had a really nice  
one hour hold, warm sun, the horses never stopped eating. Then headed  
out for the 2nd half of the ride.

Both horses were really really strong - pushing each other on - and I  
was hauling on the reins the entire way. We made good time and got  
back to camp around 3pm - a 7 hour (more or less) ride time over 55  
miles. A little faster than what I had anticipated, but a great ride  
to cap the winter season! Both Mac (300 miles since Jan 10) and  
Jaziret (350 miles since Jan 10) looked fantastic.

Day 3 was supposed to be even prettier - using part of the new  
'Arizona Trail. But we couldn't stay for the 3rd day because of other  
obligations. But - we had 2 good rides and it was a good time to  
stop. Now the horses will get a good long rest.

Sometimes you get the good times! No lameness, no problems (except  
for Rocky and Rusty who had to stay home from this ride because Rocky  
managed to cut his eyelid the day before), good weather, good  
company, it's been a wonderful 2 1/2 months 'down south'.

Marilyn and her friends made some really fun and unique awards for  
this ride.  We received Indian 'spears' for top ten yesterday -  
wooden sticks festooned with beads and feathers and a wooden spear  
tip - really cute. Just right for a little dance around the fire,  
shaking the spear in the air, a little coyote yip, and thanking the  
ride gods for another good one!

Steph


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