Uh-uh.
The dryer trails led us inevitably up a 2000-ft mountain.
We were out over 4 hours (very slow 12 mile ride), slogged
through mud, chased cattle away from open gates, saw hawks
floating on the updrafts, found the first California poppies
starting to bloom... For once, the wind wasn't blowing a
gale atop Monument Peak, and the view over the Bay Area and
the Lands Beyond was specTACKular. :-) There is a spring!
And, I found that Picardia is in better shape than I thought.
She huffed and puffed and dragged her nose a lot, but she
recovered very well at a walk on the flat after each serious
upgrade. We didn't take P&Rs at any point. I had a bit of
horse left when we got back down. Raz could probably have
raced the whole way, but we walked or jogged/slow-gaited.
This was probably the toughest ride where I've used my Sports
Saddle. I have the Skito Equalizer pad. Picardia's back
was evenly wet, and I found no soreness. MY backside, however,
told me we are going to have to get a sheepskin for that
saddle if I want to do long all-up-and-down rides. P's back
is not flat and cushy at the moment (she's a bit thinner than
I like) and her spine peaks right where it can cause trouble. ;-)
I was wearing padded riding tights, but they didn't help enough.
BTW, I'm definitely in the HW class at 5'4" and 190 lbs. Trying
to get down to MW before I even think of doing a real endurance
ride. :-)
The only complaints I have about this saddle are that the rigging
puts my legs a little too forward, and the high pommel makes
posting awkward when I ride my Arab. (Honestly, part of this is
because the saddle is a very snug fit at the moment, a situation
I hope will Go Away in the next few months.) I'd like to buy
another SS or two--the Endurance model and/or one of the Western
horned types.
Oh, and the next day I took the 22-going-on-2yo Arab out for 1.5
hours at Calero Park (more hills). Too bad she's got arthritis as
she sure would like to be an endurance horse. I don't think I'd
dare take her out with Raz, they'd just set each other off like
firecrackers (which might be fun but she could hurt herself).
-Sallijan
and Picardia and Quiche
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Sallijan Snyder | ==> I am not a speaker-for-Intel.
Santa Clara, California |
(408)765-9068 wrk (408)629-5909 hm | "Sometimes you'll find a heap of
Internet: jsnyder@td2cad.intel.com | thread on a mighty small spool."
or sallijan@ix.netcom.com |
*Internet Z-Car Club Member #42* | --Savvy Sayin's