Warmest Day of the Year!

Farah & Target

Gray & drizzle was the word for the morning - we delayed our start time by 30-min.  Pulling out of the yard, the sun was shining & it was still drizzling!  We were the only two in the parking lot, many local riders were at the April Daze ride this past weekend. 

Still snow on the peaks~

Joyce was short on time, but wanted to get in a good loop - so we rode what's now become the usual route for conditioning.  I say conditioning - Joyce may go to Klickitat, I'm still thinking about Mt. Adams.  For someone who was burnt out with endurance, here I am - still planning a ride or two.   (With Jas - it was always about her feet.  With Khari - it was about trying to get her to do what I knew she was capable of.)  The draw to the sport for me now - is with Farah - rides are actually fun :-)

The pond is So Very Green!

  At a ride, having the marked route & being able to travel at whatever speed you & your mount want - I see as something of a reward for all the miles we travel.  The sport is changing though - as the population grows & we share the trails with more & more users...  Loose dogs attacking horses, bike riders, hikers etc., make it hard - even during a sanctioned ride - to let our horses go!

Mt. Rainier dominates the skyline!

We had a great ride, Joyce brought Jackson, we had to wait for him a few times - he took advantage of every puddle!  :-)  I put my supracore inserts into the woolback pad & that seems to really help our borrowed saddle fit.  The sheepskin on the bottom is long worn away - so I've tried several different ideas to keep it cushioned.  This seemed to be the best option so far.  More calls to the saddle maker...

After her bath~

Once home, Farah enjoyed her warm bath - I enjoyed getting wet!  Another great ride ~

Riding More~

Remote controlled airplanes in the field~

It seems with days like these, that anyone with a horse would be either riding, or wishing they were!  I'm one of the lucky ones, I rode.   Joyce & I again planned to get out & on the trail to take full advantage of the sunshine & last of the longer days that will soon be shortened not only by the tilt of the earth, but by the time change too.  Since the mornings take longer to warm now, with the sun moving south in the sky - we've been meeting late morning & riding into the early afternoon.  Perfect!

Target & Joyce at the Tin Bridge

 Today we went on the Whitehorse out of Arlington, just incredibly beautiful along the river & Targets first time over the Tin Bridge.  The water was the lowest I can ever remember seeing it~

The Stillaquamish

We caught the scent of rotten Salmon too, but didn't see them.  I'm still not a fan of the galvanized chain link.  Do think that painting it either black or green would be a better option.  Will see what's up with that at the next trail committee meeting.

The east end of the trail for now~

Two gentlemen had just finished flying their electric, remote controlled planes as we rode up.  Really big wing spans & one only weighted 8 oz.  They'd had to quit for the day, due to the breeze that had come up.

It was so beautiful riding with the leaves filling the air in front of us!  In places they were so deep that it was almost like trotting through snow - but the sound & smell was even better!

With all the debate & discussions that occur on our local endurance riders Facebook page, I can't help but wonder what all these people did before the advent of electronic media?  Where do they find the time to ride?  Or are all their horses exercised on hot walkers, going round & round?  No, probably just those of the "semi-pros" with more horses than they can ride.

Regardless, if you want to find out what works for your horse, the best way to do that is to ride the horse!  A horse will tell you when he's fit, when he's sore, even why he's sore if your eyes are open to see & your ears open to listen & your seat able to feel.  I've seen a horse or two lately who look as if their spirit was broken by owners/riders who's ego's seem to supersede the well-being of their horses & all that implies.

Of course age has mellowed me, I see things differently than I did even a few years ago.  Off the soap box now - I guess if there was one piece of advice I'd give to anyone who rides, or wants to ride - it would be to just take the time to listen.  That's always a learning experience in itself & you don't need a computer!  :-)
    

Me? Lead on the Trail? :-)

Our Ride Route Today~

My friends from the Monroe & Woodinville area made the drive up early this morning to get in a ride with me!  Trusting souls that they are - they actually thought that I would be able to guide them around on a ride!  :-)  Well...  I told them that I wanted to take them to the Tin Bridge - to take photos of the new fencing that's been installed to keep people from falling off - now that it's part of the Whitehorse Trail.

Crossing the Tin Bridge - Now...

So, we decided to ride the Whitehorse & see the bridge!  There's been discussion among committee members as to the way the chain link detracts from the beauty of the old bridge structure & I have to say that I agree.  But - since this trail will probably have small children on it at one time or another - at least they won't be falling off.  I have to say that I'm happy that Farah & I had made the ride & I'd taken photos of before this work was done...

Liz on Cato, Amanda on Bizzy Bee

It is a nice spot for photos!  Liz was riding Cato for Amanda, continuing his conditioning regime.  Amanda was all smiles on Lynn's great QH mare Bizzy!   Liz did a very nice job with Cato - they seemed to get on well.  Was fun to meet Liz & hear a little of her stories of riding on a migration in Mongolia!

Thanks for the photo Lynn!

What a gorgeous day for a ride along the river!  Then we headed to the Bracken Gate of the tree farm.  Both ladies driving right past the turn - not recognizing the corner with the new clear-cut that borders the road.

Liz on Cato, Lynn on Sophie

Farah was again full of herself - at one point moving into her Big trot & hitting her all time high of 14.5 before breaking to the gallop!  Fun!  We surprised ourselves, riding, trotting, a little galloping & ended up with almost seventeen miles for the day! 

To the Top of Our World!

Our first climb of the day~

When my friend Joyce starts talking about a ride up  Mt. Washington & over to Stimson Hill, I'm all ears!  Before long - we had a ride planned.  It's a beast!  No other description does the incredible climbs any justice at all...  By the time you're at the top of the first steep, technical trail - you've just begun... & you'd better hope you've got enough horse for the day's work!

Up Mt. Washington, Rest break~

It was a warm day, humidity high - but with a very nice cool breeze.  Coming off this new, well marked trail put in by Scott of our local BCH chapter - we came out on the logging road.

We come out onto the roads

 Now the real work begins!  We were really lucky, there was still rain water from the last storms in puddles along the road.  Plenty for the horses to drink.  This ride goes up & above & beyond our "Hill of Death" climb on this same mountain.

We're climbing higher~

At each stage, our mouths were agape at the views.  Even with the light haze, we could see all the way south to the skyscrapers of Seattle.

On Stimson, we're up  over 2,800 feet~

Once you're on the top, all we wanted to do was keep going!  You know - to see what's on the other side?  :-)

Joyce & Jesse

So...  we kept going!

We're finding more roads~

As Joyce said about this time, it's fine remembering a left, a right, another right - but sooner or later you've remembered what you can...  Since we were almost ten-miles in at 2.5 hours, we decided it was time to turn back & save more exploring for another longer day.

As we turn around!

We see what's behind us!  Whitehorse Mountain & Three Fingers dominate the landscape.  Still covered with their blanket of pure white snow.

Near the summit of Mt. Washington - Mt. Pilchuck farther south~

 We continued a little further, neither of us ready to leave- still scoping out the country~

More roads out this way too!

What goes up...  must come down...  & the down is almost as hard as the up!  We didn't realize until later that we'd made it to the summit of Stimson.  As we turned back - new views just kept coming.

Heading back down~

2.5 hours going up, 2 going down

We got off several times & walked along side our very good horses!  It gave them a break from the pounding & gave us a change to limber up.

Our route & turn-around point just past the crest~

Over the day's ride, the stats were amazing!
Mt. Washington by hhmstead at Garmin Connect - Details

High Overcast - Perfect Riding!

Another Victoria Loop~

Today I met up with two friends, one just back from a successful endurance ride with her other horse & the other conditioning up for a possible 100-miler later in the season.  I'm always just happy to have congenial riding friends :-)

Lake McMurray

A totally different day from yesterday - a layer of ocean air drifted in, overcast, cool - we had misty rain at home when I pulled out the gate.  It had stayed dry further north & I was the first one at the parking area.  We weren't out to break any speed records, just cover some ground - so I took point position :-)  I think that Joyce & Charlotte figured that I couldn't possibly get them too lost :-)  Though I made a wrong turn somewhere in my attempt to duplicate yesterday's ride, I did manage a decent loop & we again knocked out 11-miles.

Joyce on Jesse, Charlotte on Fancy

These two "Endurance" riders seemed to stick with me the entire ride!  :-)  The three of us hadn't been out on a ride together for a very long time.  Schedules change, lives move on & even though the three of us ride often - it's not often that we manage to merge our schedules nowadays...

Farah always has to unload, then grab some grass before we unsaddle!

Farah is running on her first shoes not put on by Art...  She's already managed to reef one & bend it to the point where the balance is now off - so we have a call in to the Farrier who is new to us - that we used for the first time one week ago.

Yep, Twisted...

 I'd warned him that we can't have much heel support without taking the front shoes off...  At least it stayed on - but obviously I'm anxious for the re-set.  Hoping to get the bugs worked out Prior to our AWS Inspection mid-month!

All in a Day's Ride~

A convoluted 20-miles!

Farah...  her only "excuse" was that we didn't get out as much as usual last week.  Friday afternoon I opened the pasture gate to let her up to the barn.  Instead, she ran through the gate I'd left open out to the yard & raced up the hill into the woods at 90 mph.  I stood helpless as she ripped through my trails, jumping ferns in a single bound, sinking into the trails 6" with every step & knocking over an old rotted stump!  Finally she came back down the hill, slid across the paving on the driveway & raced back into the paddock for a big nice drink!

I was furious!  So - since the weather was to stay nice, I tried to find someone that was heading out on Sun. for a nice long, fast paced ride.  Dory agreed to let me tag along with her - which I knew would be a very fast ride!  When I arrived at the Bracken Rd. parking to the tree farm, it was packed with trailers, horses, more than I think I've ever seen!  Among all the people there were some endurance "friends" who invited me along with them, since their plan was for at least 15-miles at an endurance pace.   Another rider was accompanying us.  Once on the trails, I was told to go ahead & lead.  Away we went - but after less than a mile the lady behind me said;  "Wait, we've lost the others."  I turned around to find that she & I were the only two riders on the trail?  Where were the other three???  We turned back, looked, hailed, called - no answer.  

I have NEVER been able to ditch endurance riders any faster!  I'm going to have to remember the trick!  I wasn't introduced & had yet to know my pals name.  She mentioned that she was to meet her other two friends at the potty in less than an hour.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am directionally "challenged" & cannot remember my way around - but now I had the added, unwelcome responsibility of getting this lady back to her friends.

Luck was with me, the first riders we met were the friends she needed to meet!  I passed her off to them, Farah exploded up the trail & away we went!  One way or the other - I would get in my ride!  Again, more luck - the next riders were Dory, Dean & Linda!   I was welcomed & we had a FUN, fast good ride, completing the 20-miles in just 2-hours.

Once back at the trailers, I headed home, gave Farah a bath, I cleaned up & Butch & I headed out for dinner at one of our favorite spots in Antacortes.   The bikes were on the back, so on our way home we stopped at the Bryant trail-head of the Centennial Trail & rode north up to the Nakashima Barn, then back at dusk.  So very beautiful out there!  My weekend ended with 10-bike miles on Sat., 20-horse miles on Sunday & another 8-bike miles on Sunday!

Today?  Goofing off!  Enjoying the warm sunshine!

Sunshine!

Bracken Road Ride

What an incredible day!  Amanda was true to her word & drove up for a ride with me!  We could not have picked a better day, only wish she'd had more time to ride & worried that I would get her back to the trailers in time to make her other appointments!  Since Amanda is another of those who can remember trails so well, once we were out there & she started seeing the trails, between us we managed to "find" some beautiful single track & make a credible "loop"!

Wooded Trail~

Farah & Cato were happy to see each other, Cato did not get the usual squeal & snarl that other geldings have been receiving lately - they even had a friendly nose touch :-)  Riding horses that can walk out is darn nice I have to say.  With a ground covering walk we could enjoy the sun, the scenery & catch up on all the news :-)  We did some side-by-side trotting - both horses behaving well.  We covered almost eleven-miles, that left both of us wanting more.  Farah didn't even break a sweat & worked on a loose rein again - after our more animated ride on Fri.    Teaching her that we don't go fast all the time & yet keeping all the forward is my goal.  I want to be able to turn it on & turn it off - an energy saving feature that would be one of the expensive options that I'd be willing to pay for in a good horse :-)

By the time we were back at the trailers, the parking area was Full!  Lots of riders out enjoying one of the nicest days we've had so far this year! 

Rain Ridin~

15-miles at Victoria

I'd made plans to ride with Charlotte...  but it was raining...  Hard to get up the motivation to go out in it, with a hot latte in front of me & my husband home...  I called - Charlotte said;  "I've invited others - be there or be known as a wimp!"  Well...  OK then!  Cards were on the table & I did really need to get Farah out.

Does it look wet?  We get out to Hwy 9

About four weeks ago we brought in a new ton of hay from eastern, WA.  It was supposed to be an alfalfa blend, which we don't normally feed, but it was nice & the price was right.  The last week, I noticed that Farah was getting "hot".  Not at all like her.  What had changed?  Feed...  When I had to get off her last week, to keep from getting bucked off, the thought had entered by head.   So on Fri., we put her back on the expensive Timothy with just a small amount of alfalfa.  It seemed today that it's going to be a week or two before I see improvement - since we started out with Farah puffed up like a toad, bouncing down the trail, grunting & snorting at the same time.  No one could get near us that she didn't threaten.  At least for the first few miles.

Charlotte & Aliento

Finally, after setting an incredible pace, she settled in.  It was good for her mind to be with a group of competitive, experienced horses.  Kathy is another that likes to gallop, so we did a LOT of galloping & Farah loved it.  She & Cinnamon went side-by-side, nose to nose :-)  My Garmin recorded 35 mph - I don't know what Kathy's recorded, but do know we did some fast work.  The horses all loved it, they blew out their lungs, worked up a full sweat & by the time I dismounted to walk back to the trailers, Farah had her head long & low, walking with her swinging stride, looking relaxed & happy.  Garmin Stats~

Back to some arena time tomorrow~

"Mann" What a View~!

GPS

A stellar day for a view like this!  From here we headed back down & onto a "Trail from Hell" that I will never do again when we've had the rain we have had!  Only ten-miles total, but when you see the almost 4 hour ride time, you will get the "picture" of the difficulty of the last half of the ride.  The ride time included our lunch break & several short stops, but to say that the trail to the river was "difficult" would be a understatement. 

Khari & Connie

I'm pretty "game" for most trails, not known for having a lack of "nerve" - had I known what we'd be in for this day - I would have easily turned back.  I never see a point in risking a horse, let alone a "good" horse on a trail that could be physically risky to them.  This one was... the mud was the worst I've ridden in for many years - then cover it with 3 to 5 feet of water in areas 20+ feet across, with a high spot - then another of the same description, over & over again - & you get the idea.

Khari never took a wrong step & willingly entered water up to her chest, that then dropped off even deeper!  Muddy too, so you couldn't see if there were hidden obstacles...  It probably took us well over an hour of this to get to the river.  I was thankful that she's as fit as she is & prayed the entire time that she didn't pull a shoe, or damage a tendon.  

Khari is the gray - of course :-)

 The trails were very muddy, just getting up to the overlook, but once we were down & riders wanted to go to the river, that's where I would have bowed out.  Felt very lucky that Khari picked up her trot, took the lead & got us back to the trailers sound!  All's well that ends well!
 

The Sun Came OUT!

Bracken Route

Listening to the downpour all of last night - really didn't think our planned ride for today would be a "go".  The rain finally started slacking off about 8 a.m.  No calls or email to the contrary - so Khari jumped in the trailer & we were off!  Met with Joyce & Charlotte to see how many miles we could get in & still accommodate everyone's schedule for the remainder of the day.  

Was so nice to have Joyce back in the saddle with us!  Her boy Jesse was full of himself - doing a beautiful sideways lighter than air canter!  :-)  Fancy also was feeling her "oats"!  Khari on the other hand, was being a Very Good Girl!  Just happy to be out with our friends!   We brought up the rear, taking this photo as the clouds cleared to make way for the sun!  When it did come out, it was amazing how fast the day warmed up!  Coats came off etc.

Charlotte on Fancy, Joyce on Jesse

We'd gone ten-miles & were heading back when I realized that I'd left my stick at the side of the porta-potty.  Sent the two of them on, as knew Charlotte had an appointment to make.   When I doubled Khari back, she said:  "What?  I thought we were done!"  Was so happy with her though - she hit her trot & we were moving out when she started slowing down.  Looking back, here came Joyce!  Knowing full well that as she said, I am "Directionally Challenged" - she was kind enough to accompany us back to retrieve my stick!  By the time we'd done that & returned to the trailers our mileage was just at twelve-miles.  Here's my Garmin's stats.

Khari gave me a few moments of "brilliance"!  What a thrill when she took the lead, stretched out her incredible trot & we were flying along!  Nothing finer on a fine day in the Northwest!

Brisk & fast ride :-)

Our route at Victoria

It was a brisk morning, clouds but no rain.  Amanda met me at 11 & we headed out.  Both horses were feeling very "fresh" & seemed to be enjoying themselves!  After a warm-up, we trotted, cantered, galloped & had a blast - blasting along :-)

Connie & Khari

Both our horses are now really fit!  Hard as rock & hardly breathing hard by the time we reached the overlook.  After my lack of ambition at HOTR, have decided to head over to Ellensburg for the Milwaukee ride.   One of the closest to home, that I've never done - since I've heard "rumors" that it's pretty boring & the best way to ride it is with friends.  Lucky for me, have a couple of those, who Khari loves to draft & they've been bribed to let us tag along :-)  

Amanda & Cato

Another plus for us both - is that Butch is coming to crew!  Khari always eats, drinks & rests better if Butch is there.  It's Great for me, as it gives me time to re-coup, eat, drink and all the stuff that I don't do when he's not!

50-Mile week~

Snoqualmie Valley Trail

Now that Milwaukee seems to be on my new & recently revised plans for this season, Amanda & I decided to do the long, trot flats!  Exactly what the SVT trail is good for.  With my Garmin again doing a great job of recording our ride - I'll set a link here for the stats :-)   From my Garmin "Dashboard".  Cato set a really nice brisk pace & we covered 18.5 miles in under 3.5 hours with a 5.4 average pace.  Neither horse was even "wet" at the end of the ride!  

The sun was shining, lots of people were out, but we were the only horses we saw all day.  Once at the river we took a short break to let the horses eat & drink.  The river was Way down from last time I was there, over a month ago.  Amanda was trying a new saddle, I had Khari's cinch too loose & managed to sheer the hair over her loin...  since it's never happened before, same pad, same saddle - I'm thinking that was the cause.   When we returned home, Khari jumped out of the trailer, gave a big shake, went for several rolls :-) then settled into cruising the yard grazing with her Beagles following :-)

Fun Riding at Bracken Rd.

Our route

From 28 degrees & frost on the windshield, the day quickly warmed with stellar sunshine by the time I met Charlotte at the Bracken parking.  Charlotte brought Fancy today & Fancy can set a pace!  :-)  We went flying around on all the fun trails we could find!  Khari would cuss on all the sharp corners, but quickly catch up the minute she had a little stretch of "straightaway" :-0

Blue & Beautiful

 We found our way down to the river & turned south on the old rail bed that connects to the Centennial Trail just north of Arlington.  Our passage was blocked by a large tree that has fallen across the trail.

Fancy is not impressed~

 Next time, we think the horses will fit under the left end, since there's a ditch that gives a few more inches.  Hopefully someone will come along & clear it!  All in all - there wasn't a minute of riding that we weren't smiling!