My one cohort and I are members of Idaho Mountain Search and
Rescue mounted team and the route we followed on the 25 mile ride
rivaled anything we have ever had to do on a search or in training. We
have faced a lot of prejudice against endurance riding but there are only
about 3 horses and riders on our mounted team that could have ridden
the trails in the Grimes Pass ride, and two of those horse/rider teams
are Nance and me!
My 12 year old neighbor and other riding companion, Katie, was the
only junior rider of the weekend. She had a great time and said that
the best part was crossing the creeks and having to go over logs. She and
her little Appy mare did great, especially for their first ride. Arlene
Morris patiently explained the concepts of endurance riding to Katie's
parents, who are completely new to the horse world. They were very
proud of their daughter.
I enjoyed the cross country travel. It really made my mare work. While I
was looking for the next flag, she had to watch the terrain, which she
did fabulously. It was just like a search. While the rider is looking for
signs and signaling, the horse has to watch the terrain and work on its own.
I just love it when everything comes together when
riding. My little quarter horse mare won BC, but then again there were
only a total of 4 of us on the ride. :-)
A big thank you to Bob and Arlene Morris and the other folks whose names I
don't know for such a great ride!!
Ellen and Amber (Gee, Mom, that was great - I got to eat ALL day long!)
rider@hpbs4669.boi.hp.com