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[RC] Wild West DELIGHT - sherman

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I totally agree, wonderful ride with some great new sections of trail to keep it interesting. One correction though, no redwoods in the forest there, those huge beautiful old trees are cedars and firs.  I did notice that they looked quite similar to the redwoods though.
 
I borrowed a friend's horse and did 30 miles the first day (then pulled) and completed the 50 the 2nd. The pull was due to Markova not recovering because of mental anxiety. I had to make him go slow because a stirrup broke completely off after about 10 miles. He'd be fine for awhile, a nice smooth 5.5-6mph jog, then someone would pass and he'd start pulling and bouncing 'til I had to pull him back to a 4mph walk. He put up with that for about 17 miles, and was just a mental wreck by the time we got back to camp so didn't pulse down. The next day, I rode him like I stole him (that's what he's used to) and we came in 8th without any issues. Just goes to show that sometimes holding a horse back too much is worse than moving out with them and can give you a completely false sense of their ability. I also had the pleasure of riding with a junior, Zack, on his nice little mare, Sassy, they came in 7th place and first junior! Good job Zack!!
 
And a big THANKS to the Ribleys for a wonderful ride this year.
 
Kathy...who will buy a small pair of stirrups to carry along from now on. My shin is still sore and swollen from all the stress of trying to balance with one stirrup on a bouncing horse for so many miles.