Gem and I went to another Hunter pace on Sunday. I'll tell that story along with a ton of pictures in my next post. Today I want to talk about goal setting. And then about goal un-setting (is that a word? It is now!)
I went into the Pace with one goal: do it in under 1 hour 30 minutes.
It was very doable. The trails were fantastic with a ton of open places with perfect footing for a gallop. The weather was pristine: bright blue skies and sunny with a chill in the wind. A lot of people were coming in around 1 hour 20 minutes and if I had to guess I would say that optimal time will be somewhere along the lines of 1 hour 15 minutes or so.
As I swung my leg onto my horse I knew she wasn't there. Her mind was elsewhere. Was she hot? Hurting? Hungry? Sleepy? In heat? Or just had plans already with a pasture mate that I ruined? I don't know what it was, but her brain had been left at the barn and I had two choices:
1) Grab my dressage whip and force her to do this thing at the pace I had assigned for the day
2) Throw my only goal out the window and make a new one
Goals are important. Every time I ride I have a goal in mind: a certain distance, speed, time etc.. I work hard to keep heading towards that goal. It keeps me focused and prevents me from being wishy washy on my rides. I follow enough people in real life and in blogger world to know that goal setting ranges from the obsessive every month set goals and review old ones to having none and whatever works for you is great. Until the process stops working.
Yes, goals are important. Sticking to your goals even when things are not going well is also important. If you cave into a temper tantrum each time, then you won't ever progress past that. However, there are times when sticking to your goal becomes more harmful than good.
Someone a long time ago once told me:
"Every time you ride you are teaching your horse something"
It is true. Good or bad, you are teaching them something.
So back to Sunday. She was slow and pokey. I've dealt with that plenty of times and always push her through it. Had that been the only issue we would have had a serious discussion as to what forward meant and got that thing done in 1 hour 30 minutes.
But she was also just mentally not there. She refused to go past the starting gate. She gave it the hairy eye ball and balked several times. Within the first 100 yards on trail she had spooked out of her skin a dozen times. Each tree stump, pile of sticks, pile of leaves, gate, fence line, dog, horse, person, puddle of mud, change to red clay footing, change to grass footing made her jump out of her skin. Yes, she is a spooky mare in general, but she hasn't been this bad in over a year.
I could have gone with choice #1 and forced her to do it at speed anyway. I would have accomplished my goal for the day: a sub 1 hour 30 minute finish. It would have cost me dearly though.
She would have been mentally spent, drained, and I would have lost her trust in me. It was frustrating at times as I looked down a beautiful grassy lane and just wanted to fly and instead we trotted slowly along ping ponging back and forth as one shadow would cause her to jump right and then next to the left.
Instead I quickly realized the foolishness in keeping stubbornly to my original goal and threw it out the window. I re evaluated our situation and relaxed into a long ride on beautiful trails under a gloriously blue sky. I took pictures. I let her munch some last remaining grass. I asked her to move forward and expected and required her to do so when asked, but didn't push the issue for speed. If I said trot, she needed to trot forward. I took the time to get her moving forward past all these "scary" objects without stopping and trying to turn around.
My goal morphed and ended up being: Get my mare to pay attention to me versus everything else.
After it was all said and done I had accomplished that goal. She was still annoyingly interested in her surroundings, but she moved forward at the gait I requested when I requested it. We didn't fight. We didn't get angry with each other. Our relationship stayed intact and most likely improved.
Sometimes in life our goals are not attainable. Or at least not attainable at the cost it would require. For me on Sunday it was not worth going backwards in our relationship to finish the Pace at a certain time. It was better to re-evaluate and re work the day.
December 15, 2014
December 11, 2014
2015 AERC Ride Schedule
Its been a slow day at work. What better to do with it than start researching ride opportunities for the 2015 schedule?
I can't do enough rides to make regional awards a meaningful goal. Nor do I win ever, so shooting for points that way isn't much use either. But the Decade Team is something I can strive for. Gemmie is 15 now and we just started. That puts her at 24/25 at the end of it. Not impossible or unheard of although it would be a far easier goal with a 7 year old. Also, knowing my financial and family restraints, I know that 2 rides are easily doable with the possibility of a 3rd if timed out right. Much more than that and we might miss our 2nd year attempt.
Given the above, I need to pick wisely allowing for enough time to get another attempt in if needed, but also not "waste" rides by doing anything other than a 50 before our 50 is secured. While I am not a planning type of person, I hate "TO DO" lists with a fierce passion, in order to give us the best shot at a 50 completion in 2015 thus putting us one more year closer to our decade goal, I need to plan and be a tad insane.
*Note: the online calendar is either not complete or all fall rides in the SE have bailed for 2015. This schedule will probably change to reflect the additions*
Here is my current thought process:
Camp Osborn Pow Wow Feb 6/7: Why so early? Well, I figure her fitness is pretty great right now having done the 50 in October even with all the time off she has had. She gains it back easily and I like the idea of a cooler ride versus waiting until the summer heat hits us and I have to worry about her over heating. Being so early also frees up my stress later in the year. If we complete here, I can do another ride just because or try for a multi day later in the year knowing that I already have that completion for the year. Also, the trails sound perfect and it is somewhere completely new. When the only travelling you do is to an endurance ride, new is a big factor.
Now things get very tricky.
Scenario 1: We don't enter due to lack of conditioning, crappy weather forecast (hey, when you only go to 2 rides it is not worth being miserable in cold and rainy conditions for them) or family reasons.
The next rides available are either Red Barn Run March 27/28 or Spring Fling Apr 10/11. Again, it is early enough to have the same benefits as above. I would lean more toward Red Barn due to stories I have heard about the awesome management, trails and food there. They both have the draw back of deep sandy trails, but Red Barn has less. So Red Barn will most likely be it in this scenario.
Scenario 2: We enter and RO, get pulled or go over time. Now where?
Probably nowhere for a long time. My spring options get pretty limited if we pull in Feb. I wouldn't plan on re routing to either of the above 2 due to the timing. Too close to fix the reasons we got pulled, plus that would eat up my entire ride allotment for the year and it would only be April. The rest of the published calendar isn't really doable for me:
Scenario 3: We skip Camp Osborn and head to Red Barn only to RO, get pulled or go over time.
Ah...more decisions however it would come down to either trying to hit Camp Osborn in May since it really sounds like a fantastic ride and I would have missed it in Feb or waiting until the fall for Broxton or Yellow Hammer. This would depend on why we didn't complete, her fitness level at the time and if I thought our chances were good for another shot at a spring ride or just wait until the fall.
Scenario 4: We complete at Camp Osborn in Feb.
In this case, I would wait until Broxton in the fall and do a multi day there. The trails are pretty forgiving and it would be nice to do a late fall ride to keep her fitness up through winter to start thinking about all of this again for 2016.
Scenario 5: We complete at Red Barn in March.
Pretty much the same as in scenario 4. Do a multi day in the late fall.
So that is it for now. A spring attempt in either Feb or March and then probably nothing until fall. I really wish that Biltmore put on the summer ride every year because it fills a nice void in the schedule in the SE and takes away the FEI issues. I understand that it is a ton of work though. They sure had a great turn out last year!!
There is also the slim chance at hitting a NE ride in the summer months: Jubilee or even the WV Ride Between the Rivers (or is it Lakes?) ride. Jubilee requires foot wear though, so that is likely out. WV may be outside of my 7 hour limit. Although Yellow Hammer may be as well. Haven't looked those up yet because they are not on the calendar.
What are you plans for 2015??
I can't do enough rides to make regional awards a meaningful goal. Nor do I win ever, so shooting for points that way isn't much use either. But the Decade Team is something I can strive for. Gemmie is 15 now and we just started. That puts her at 24/25 at the end of it. Not impossible or unheard of although it would be a far easier goal with a 7 year old. Also, knowing my financial and family restraints, I know that 2 rides are easily doable with the possibility of a 3rd if timed out right. Much more than that and we might miss our 2nd year attempt.
Given the above, I need to pick wisely allowing for enough time to get another attempt in if needed, but also not "waste" rides by doing anything other than a 50 before our 50 is secured. While I am not a planning type of person, I hate "TO DO" lists with a fierce passion, in order to give us the best shot at a 50 completion in 2015 thus putting us one more year closer to our decade goal, I need to plan and be a tad insane.
*Note: the online calendar is either not complete or all fall rides in the SE have bailed for 2015. This schedule will probably change to reflect the additions*
Here is my current thought process:
Camp Osborn Pow Wow Feb 6/7: Why so early? Well, I figure her fitness is pretty great right now having done the 50 in October even with all the time off she has had. She gains it back easily and I like the idea of a cooler ride versus waiting until the summer heat hits us and I have to worry about her over heating. Being so early also frees up my stress later in the year. If we complete here, I can do another ride just because or try for a multi day later in the year knowing that I already have that completion for the year. Also, the trails sound perfect and it is somewhere completely new. When the only travelling you do is to an endurance ride, new is a big factor.
Now things get very tricky.
Scenario 1: We don't enter due to lack of conditioning, crappy weather forecast (hey, when you only go to 2 rides it is not worth being miserable in cold and rainy conditions for them) or family reasons.
The next rides available are either Red Barn Run March 27/28 or Spring Fling Apr 10/11. Again, it is early enough to have the same benefits as above. I would lean more toward Red Barn due to stories I have heard about the awesome management, trails and food there. They both have the draw back of deep sandy trails, but Red Barn has less. So Red Barn will most likely be it in this scenario.
Scenario 2: We enter and RO, get pulled or go over time. Now where?
Probably nowhere for a long time. My spring options get pretty limited if we pull in Feb. I wouldn't plan on re routing to either of the above 2 due to the timing. Too close to fix the reasons we got pulled, plus that would eat up my entire ride allotment for the year and it would only be April. The rest of the published calendar isn't really doable for me:
- Barefoot Derby Apr 17/18 back where we did this years 50. Again super close to the Feb attempt.
- Biltmore May 1/2 is probably the best next bet, but it is an FEI ride and I am not sure I am up for all the added stress, people, attitudes and rules that come along with an FEI ride. Plus I am super anti FEI.
- Leatherwood May 16 is much better timing and one I will keep my eye on. Problem is that it is a notoriously difficult mountain ride and I worry about her being barefoot there.
- Camp Osborn take 2 May 24 is another viable option, but I don't want my only 2 rides all year to be at the exact same place.
- Broxton Bridge July 4 is out because it is on a holiday
- Likewise with Sand Hills Stampede which is on Halloween. When you have a near 3 year old, you can't miss Halloween.
Scenario 3: We skip Camp Osborn and head to Red Barn only to RO, get pulled or go over time.
Ah...more decisions however it would come down to either trying to hit Camp Osborn in May since it really sounds like a fantastic ride and I would have missed it in Feb or waiting until the fall for Broxton or Yellow Hammer. This would depend on why we didn't complete, her fitness level at the time and if I thought our chances were good for another shot at a spring ride or just wait until the fall.
Scenario 4: We complete at Camp Osborn in Feb.
In this case, I would wait until Broxton in the fall and do a multi day there. The trails are pretty forgiving and it would be nice to do a late fall ride to keep her fitness up through winter to start thinking about all of this again for 2016.
Scenario 5: We complete at Red Barn in March.
Pretty much the same as in scenario 4. Do a multi day in the late fall.
So that is it for now. A spring attempt in either Feb or March and then probably nothing until fall. I really wish that Biltmore put on the summer ride every year because it fills a nice void in the schedule in the SE and takes away the FEI issues. I understand that it is a ton of work though. They sure had a great turn out last year!!
There is also the slim chance at hitting a NE ride in the summer months: Jubilee or even the WV Ride Between the Rivers (or is it Lakes?) ride. Jubilee requires foot wear though, so that is likely out. WV may be outside of my 7 hour limit. Although Yellow Hammer may be as well. Haven't looked those up yet because they are not on the calendar.
What are you plans for 2015??
December 8, 2014
A Special Portrait
Around my birthday last April, things with Hero were starting to take a nose dive. Having spent my youth volunteering and then working at various vet offices and then marrying a vet, I knew the reality of the situation. My special friend, who could never have an equal on this planet, wasn't going to be immortal after all.
When Dusty asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I asked if I could order a portrait of Hero. We didn't know how soon we would be forced to say goodbye, but I wanted it ordered well before so that I could go through all my pictures of him in a happy place and not one of grieving. He was happy to say yes and so I emailed a woman from Canada who I met through the blogging world and sent her over a bunch of my favorite pictures.
Honestly, I can't remember when it showed up. I can't even recall if it was before or after he passed, but it had been sitting securely away from toddler sticky fingers all summer and fall. I had looked at it when it arrived to make sure it was what I wanted and remembered being very impressed, but hadn't seen it in months.
Finally a few weeks ago, I pulled it back out and was able to gaze into that wonderful face again. It was an amazing pencil job. I don't know how anyone can have that much talent. She captured his personality in his eyes perfectly.
It needed a good frame to go along with it. The paper is a very awkward size that made finding an off the shelf frame near impossible. Typically I avoid custom frame jobs because they are ridiculously expensive, but some things are too precious and so I made a trip to Michaels to look at options.
I had a 60% off custom frames coupon although I think the frames are always 60% off and that they just jack the prices ridiculously high to make up for it. Seriously, without the coupon it was something around $400+ for the frame. Who would pay that?!
I looked at my options and wanted something that would make the picture pop without taking anything away from it. Basically I wanted you to see the picture and not the frame. I found a really nice black frame with an inner layer of distressed wood and chose a light grey trim to the mat. Hero loved being in the woods and this frame is a perfect tribute to that.
It took them 2 weeks to do it and I rushed out as soon as I got the call that it was ready. It looks perfect. It is now hung up above the fireplace in the den beside the kitchen right where Wyatt has his train table and books. I can see it whenever I play with Wyatt and while in the kitchen. I love it and would highly recommend her to anyone who is in need of a pet portrait.
When Dusty asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I asked if I could order a portrait of Hero. We didn't know how soon we would be forced to say goodbye, but I wanted it ordered well before so that I could go through all my pictures of him in a happy place and not one of grieving. He was happy to say yes and so I emailed a woman from Canada who I met through the blogging world and sent her over a bunch of my favorite pictures.
Honestly, I can't remember when it showed up. I can't even recall if it was before or after he passed, but it had been sitting securely away from toddler sticky fingers all summer and fall. I had looked at it when it arrived to make sure it was what I wanted and remembered being very impressed, but hadn't seen it in months.
Finally a few weeks ago, I pulled it back out and was able to gaze into that wonderful face again. It was an amazing pencil job. I don't know how anyone can have that much talent. She captured his personality in his eyes perfectly.
It needed a good frame to go along with it. The paper is a very awkward size that made finding an off the shelf frame near impossible. Typically I avoid custom frame jobs because they are ridiculously expensive, but some things are too precious and so I made a trip to Michaels to look at options.
I had a 60% off custom frames coupon although I think the frames are always 60% off and that they just jack the prices ridiculously high to make up for it. Seriously, without the coupon it was something around $400+ for the frame. Who would pay that?!
I looked at my options and wanted something that would make the picture pop without taking anything away from it. Basically I wanted you to see the picture and not the frame. I found a really nice black frame with an inner layer of distressed wood and chose a light grey trim to the mat. Hero loved being in the woods and this frame is a perfect tribute to that.
It took them 2 weeks to do it and I rushed out as soon as I got the call that it was ready. It looks perfect. It is now hung up above the fireplace in the den beside the kitchen right where Wyatt has his train table and books. I can see it whenever I play with Wyatt and while in the kitchen. I love it and would highly recommend her to anyone who is in need of a pet portrait.
December 4, 2014
Clemson Hunter Pace Results
My dad has always said that it is better to come in 3rd than 2nd. In his mind the 2nd place person looks over at that winner standing tall on the podium (this always comes up in the family during the Olympics) knowing that they were 0.05 seconds behind being there themselves. While they are thrilled to be in 2nd they can taste that first place spot. The 3rd place person, however, is just thrilled to have managed a spot on the podium at all and can look at those he/she beat out and be happy.
It is an interesting point of view and one I will most likely never be in the position to test.
Gem and I came in 7th place out of 29 teams. They give out ribbons to the top 6. I'm happy we did as well as we did since it was a pretty big field and Gem was a little pokey.
What is disappointing is that we were 16 minutes slow! Having been on those trails dozens of times, I can honestly say I don't know where the pacer picked up 16 whole minutes. The only spot s we walked at all were the short downhill sections that were steep, leaf covered and twisty. The one area I know we lost time was the gravel access road.
I had asked Gem to trot but she took a very funny step and felt off immediately. I brought her back to a walk and let her hug the grassy side and paid close attention to the footing after that. I guess the month off hanging in her pasture has let her feet give a little because a month ago she would have powered down the gravel without hesitation. The gravel petered out about half way down and I opened her up to canter to both make up time and see how she was moving. She did fine until the gravel began again so we walked until the trail ducked back onto the dirt wood floor.
Even with that I don't think we lost 16 minutes. I wish I knew who the pace rider was and what horse they were riding. Gemmie was drenched in sweat by the end and even had I known the optimal time going in I wouldn't have pushed her more than I did. I should clip her for these winter events, but then that would mean having to blanket and I hate blanketing. I would rather go slower and take longer to cool out than clip and blanket.
Whatever the reason for us being that far off pace it was a lot of fun and I wish I could go to more of them. Honestly I like the paces a little more than endurance *gasp* right now in my life. They are all within a 2 hour drive, occur every other weekend from Sept-May, cost between $35-45 with lunch included and take up only 2 hours of my time. With my son getting older and more interactive yet not old enough to camp or participate these fit in much better and take me away for less time.
I still plan to do endurance as well with my next 50 options being Feb or April. Will have to see how winter conditioning goes, weather forecasts come in and time allows.
It is an interesting point of view and one I will most likely never be in the position to test.
Gem and I came in 7th place out of 29 teams. They give out ribbons to the top 6. I'm happy we did as well as we did since it was a pretty big field and Gem was a little pokey.
What is disappointing is that we were 16 minutes slow! Having been on those trails dozens of times, I can honestly say I don't know where the pacer picked up 16 whole minutes. The only spot s we walked at all were the short downhill sections that were steep, leaf covered and twisty. The one area I know we lost time was the gravel access road.
I had asked Gem to trot but she took a very funny step and felt off immediately. I brought her back to a walk and let her hug the grassy side and paid close attention to the footing after that. I guess the month off hanging in her pasture has let her feet give a little because a month ago she would have powered down the gravel without hesitation. The gravel petered out about half way down and I opened her up to canter to both make up time and see how she was moving. She did fine until the gravel began again so we walked until the trail ducked back onto the dirt wood floor.
Even with that I don't think we lost 16 minutes. I wish I knew who the pace rider was and what horse they were riding. Gemmie was drenched in sweat by the end and even had I known the optimal time going in I wouldn't have pushed her more than I did. I should clip her for these winter events, but then that would mean having to blanket and I hate blanketing. I would rather go slower and take longer to cool out than clip and blanket.
Whatever the reason for us being that far off pace it was a lot of fun and I wish I could go to more of them. Honestly I like the paces a little more than endurance *gasp* right now in my life. They are all within a 2 hour drive, occur every other weekend from Sept-May, cost between $35-45 with lunch included and take up only 2 hours of my time. With my son getting older and more interactive yet not old enough to camp or participate these fit in much better and take me away for less time.
I still plan to do endurance as well with my next 50 options being Feb or April. Will have to see how winter conditioning goes, weather forecasts come in and time allows.
December 3, 2014
WW: Barefoot 50 Ride Pictures At Last
These were taken around 10 miles in. I loved the fact that they actually put a "RIDE PHOTOGRAPHER" sign up in plenty of time to spread out and prepare. At Biltmore the photographer was hiding around a blind bend in the trees. That was the first time I didn't purchase a ride photo it was so terrible.
December 2, 2014
A Real Pain In The Neck
Literally.
After the Barefoot 50 the only part of me that really was painful was my neck and across the top of my shoulders/upper back. I chalked this up to a few things:
1) The witch dumped me at the start and I landed on my right shoulder
2) The Camelbak was very full with all 2 L of water, granola bars, maps, camera etc...
3) Gem was a beast for the first 10 miles and while I hate doing it, I was definitely in her mouth and tense in the upper body for a lot of the ride
4) It was 50 miles!
It lingered for a while and I kept thinking it was more from the fall than anything else.
After the Hunter Pace Sunday I noticed that my neck and upper back/shoulders were once again painful. Not as bad as in October, but it was definitely sore and troublesome to look up or down or move my shoulders much. Looking side to side was fine. It is gone now, but still this is an odd new problem.
I didn't wear the Camelbak to the Pace because, well mostly because I didn't even think about it as I left the house, but also because I knew it was only 2 hours or less and there was lunch afterward. So I can't blame that. Also, I wore the Camelbak at the Biltmore 25 and on my 2nd 20 mile conditioning ride without issues.
At Barefoot Gem was a beast, but during the Pace she was relaxed and calm. I barely even touched the reins the entire time and spent a lot of it neck reining or just relaxing. With the pain occurring in the same distribution, I can rule this out as a cause with a fair amount of certainty.
The only other thing that changed pre-50 to present was the addition of using my sports bra to ride in. I never did before, even during the 25s I have done. I'm not sure why I never thought of using it before. I'm in no way a "busty" woman but I have enough that bounces and gets very uncomfortable and I always run in one.
I decided to grab it on my way out the door to Barefoot and was very happy that I wore it during the ride. Since then I haven't ridden long or hard enough to warrant wearing it, but I did put it on for the Pace.
And had pain.
Could it be from the sports bra? I've owned the thing for forever and wore it through all 4 of my half marathons without complaint. But maybe that's because I am moving my arms a lot more when running and not so much when riding?
Do you think a different style of sports bra is needed for riding? I have a really hard time finding one. I need a small size and most of the ones that come in my size are rated for yoga or walking. I need one for high impact sports, but don't really want to spend a fortune.
Anyone else deal with this?
After the Barefoot 50 the only part of me that really was painful was my neck and across the top of my shoulders/upper back. I chalked this up to a few things:
1) The witch dumped me at the start and I landed on my right shoulder
2) The Camelbak was very full with all 2 L of water, granola bars, maps, camera etc...
3) Gem was a beast for the first 10 miles and while I hate doing it, I was definitely in her mouth and tense in the upper body for a lot of the ride
4) It was 50 miles!
It lingered for a while and I kept thinking it was more from the fall than anything else.
After the Hunter Pace Sunday I noticed that my neck and upper back/shoulders were once again painful. Not as bad as in October, but it was definitely sore and troublesome to look up or down or move my shoulders much. Looking side to side was fine. It is gone now, but still this is an odd new problem.
I didn't wear the Camelbak to the Pace because, well mostly because I didn't even think about it as I left the house, but also because I knew it was only 2 hours or less and there was lunch afterward. So I can't blame that. Also, I wore the Camelbak at the Biltmore 25 and on my 2nd 20 mile conditioning ride without issues.
At Barefoot Gem was a beast, but during the Pace she was relaxed and calm. I barely even touched the reins the entire time and spent a lot of it neck reining or just relaxing. With the pain occurring in the same distribution, I can rule this out as a cause with a fair amount of certainty.
The only other thing that changed pre-50 to present was the addition of using my sports bra to ride in. I never did before, even during the 25s I have done. I'm not sure why I never thought of using it before. I'm in no way a "busty" woman but I have enough that bounces and gets very uncomfortable and I always run in one.
I decided to grab it on my way out the door to Barefoot and was very happy that I wore it during the ride. Since then I haven't ridden long or hard enough to warrant wearing it, but I did put it on for the Pace.
And had pain.
Could it be from the sports bra? I've owned the thing for forever and wore it through all 4 of my half marathons without complaint. But maybe that's because I am moving my arms a lot more when running and not so much when riding?
Do you think a different style of sports bra is needed for riding? I have a really hard time finding one. I need a small size and most of the ones that come in my size are rated for yoga or walking. I need one for high impact sports, but don't really want to spend a fortune.
Anyone else deal with this?
December 1, 2014
Clemson Hunter Pace 11/30/14
Gem has found herself in a nice little vacation since the 50. I don't know why but I have been in a major riding slump since then. We have played around a little at the farm, but the trailer hasn't moved an inch. The mere thought of putting forth the effort to ride has had me curled up on the couch in a blanket with Once Upon A Time streaming on Nextflix. I don't think Gem has minded all that much.
My favorite trails were hosting a hunter pace on Sunday and I was determined to go. Sunday morning brought along the as of late typical resistance to all things horse related, but as it turns out the lure of the trails beats out a day hanging with a cranky hubby and so I headed out around 9 am. The event was from 9-2 with lunch from 11-2 and for $35 you can't beat it.
One of my main reasons for wanting to hit the paces this winter is work on Gem's race brain. She is horrible at the start of an endurance ride and it takes about 10 miles before she settles in and gets her senses back. I thought these paces would allow for me to have a less competitive arena to get her used to it.
I managed to tack up and head over to the start line behind a big group of people. It was perfect timing. The local pace sends groups of riders (designated as those you claim as your teammates as registration) out every 3 minutes, so I knew we would be standing around in a group of riders for a while. We had 3 groups ahead and 2 behind us. Perfect!
I was prepared for a tantrum once the others set out, but she just stood there eating grass. We inched up in line until we were at the front and she calmly watched the group of 2 riders go ahead. The start was along the bottom of the parking lot field and was a mandatory walk until you wound up and out to the road. Probably a quarter of a mile and right past the trailers, people and other horses. A perfect distraction.
We got let out and she walked. Slowly. In fact I had to urge her to keep moving at more than a snails pace. Huh. There goes working on race brain.
Once we hit the road I asked her to trot and saw the group ahead of us stop at the road crossing that leads into the woods. The pace was amazing with volunteers and stationed them at each road crossing along the way. Once we hit the woods, it was evident that I would be keeping a faster pace than those ahead, so I asked to pass and braced myself for a tantrum from my crazy horse. At the last ride she refused to pass those ahead once she caught up to them and this was yet another great instance to work on something.
Except the mare just passed without a fuss and settled into the trail. Huh.
We quickly came across another group of riders and passed them as well. In fact the only thing that bothered Gem all day were the plethora of limbs, downed trees and branches. I think the month off took us 3 steps back mentally as she spooked at everything in the woods. You would think she hasn't been ridden outside of an arena ever. I learned a long time ago that ignoring her was best and I just urged her forward each time as we ping ponged our way down the trail.
We came out of the woods and along the first field. I planned on asking her to canter through here to help put some space between us and those right behind us. I very much dislike playing leap frog down the trail and those we had passed were keeping up pretty well. She picked up a lovely canter and we laid some tracks until the jumps came into view. The local pace allows for anyone in either division (hunter which I sign up for or trail rider) to either take or avoid the jumps. I planned on avoiding them and Gem most certainly agreed as she came to a screeching halt and gave them the hairy eyeball. I used to spend the winters jumping the mare and she never really enjoyed it much but tolerated it as long as the standards were painted. Bare wood scares her, but brightly colored and flowery jumps were never an issue. Silly mare.
The others caught up again and we re-entered the woods. I was doing my best to keep a good distance, but knew the trail well enough to know when I needed to let her walk over the leaf strewn, root laden trail. I asked if they wanted to pass but they declined and stayed behind. At one point we came to a creek crossing and I asked them if they wanted me to stop for them to let their horses drink. I didn't want to charge off, but they said it was fine and off I went. I didn't see them the rest of the day.
On we went and poor Gem. Having seen what she is capable of, I wasn't in the mood to let her pretend to be tired. We could easily do the 10 mile course (or so I figured given the trail we were on and I ended up being right. The pace doesn't tell you the distance in advance.) at the pace I wanted given her effort on a much steeper trail a month before. She wasn't so happy with me, but eventually caved in and moved out. It was pretty warm out and I regretted my choice of a fleece shirt. I paid close attention to how she was breathing due to her thick winter coat and let her walk when I thought she honestly needed it.
We came out into the mandatory hold with a very well marked sign that pointed the way and said you must walk to and from the hold. There was a car parked by it, but all you had to do was wander around it and the trail was basically unmistakable. We wandered down the lane to a point by the beach and I regretted not figuring out how to bring my phone along. My new tights have no pockets, but the lake was gorgeous and would have been worth carrying it. Heck, I never even touched the bit and could have ridden her no hands the entire time she was behaving so well. I stopped and decided against taking the offered Port and drank water instead and before long the 3 minutes were up.
As we made the long walk back we saw the group we had passed coming towards us, a male/female team on two gorgeous and monstrous warm bloods and then just as we passed the sign that pointed down the lane a solo rider on a big grey percheron came into view. The trail picked back up along a gravel access road that I knew very well and Gem and I made our way along knowing there was a lot of time between us and those behind us since it had taken roughly 3 minutes to walk down, 3 at the hold and 3 to come back.
As we neared the end the lady on the big percheron asked to pass. I was confused. She was just starting the walk down to the hold when I came out and there were 2 other groups ahead of her. There was no way she should have been passing us at this point. I pulled over and let her pass just as we entered the woods and I wanted to trot, but I thought it would be rude to say no and charge off not knowing the pace she was keeping.
She slowed to a walk (sigh) and then asked if I knew where the end came out. I told her what I thought it would be given the location. As we went I slyly asked if she had taken the port or the water at the hold. She said she wasn't offered anything. I asked if she saw the lady and man there and she shrugged me off saying it was too confusing and she just stopped at the sign for 30 seconds and then came down the lane. Ah. There it was. I nicely mentioned that she had needed to follow the big arrow pointing down the lane, stop for 3 minutes while they timed her, then head back out. They take your number there and everything so they know if you don't go by. Anyway, it isn't about passing people. Cheating that way won't help you since the winner is the one closest to optimal time which included the walk down, the hold and walk back. But whatever. To each their own.
As she kept walking, I asked to pass and off we went again.
I knew right where we were and knew we had roughly 2 miles to camp. Looking at my Garmin I was surprised at how long we had been out already. I ride there enough to know exactly how much distance it drops, so I was prepared to see only 6 miles when it should have said 8, but was not prepared to see it say we were out over 1 1/2 hours already. We had kept a very good pace up (or so I had thought) and this was annoying. I vowed that we would not go over 2 hours and so when we reached the mile marker and I saw we were at 1 hr 42 minutes, I kicked it up.
The only real people encounter I had all day was at the last road crossing. Gem knew exactly where she was and wanted to get home. We came around a blind curve to the road and two volunteers were there. The one had stationed her bright red camping chair, food containers and beer can at the trail head. On the other side of the trail was a big drainage ditch and then there was the busy road. Gem took one look at the chair and freaked. She refused to go pass and really to her credit it looked scary, was in the wrong place and gave only maybe a foot of space on trail between it and the ditch.
I'm not one to get off Gem much to lead her past crap, but a quick risk:benefit analysis showed it wasn't worth the fight. We would either end up in the ditch or hit by a car. I jumped off and the volunteer made a snide remark:
"When you are young you can afford to get off and on, but when older you use a stick. No horse of mine refuses things"
"Well, it isn't worth the risk with the road right here and she has done a lot for me. It isn't worth it"
"Just wait until there is a river around and then you'll get wet jumping off. What will you do then?"
"Hope someone isn't stupid enough to leave a scary chair with barely enough room around it right by a ditch and a busy road. But who would do that?"
And off we trotted back to camp.
I looked down at my watch and was happy to be approaching the finish line before 2 hours, but still confused as to how it took so long. Once across we were told it was 1 hour 23 minutes. Huh???
I looked at the real time for the first time and verified it. I have no clue what my watch was doing. That's the first time the time has been off. I had cleared it right before hitting start and everything and I know I hit start right as we got counted down and let go.
Odd.
Anyway...we stuck around for lunch, talked to some old friends we made when first in town and enjoyed the afternoon. My riding funk has come to an official stop. While I am thrilled Gem behaved so well, I am curious as to if the 50 miles finally got it into her head to not rush the start or if she just knew it wasn't endurance. Will have to wait until our next outing to find out!
My favorite trails were hosting a hunter pace on Sunday and I was determined to go. Sunday morning brought along the as of late typical resistance to all things horse related, but as it turns out the lure of the trails beats out a day hanging with a cranky hubby and so I headed out around 9 am. The event was from 9-2 with lunch from 11-2 and for $35 you can't beat it.
One of my main reasons for wanting to hit the paces this winter is work on Gem's race brain. She is horrible at the start of an endurance ride and it takes about 10 miles before she settles in and gets her senses back. I thought these paces would allow for me to have a less competitive arena to get her used to it.
I managed to tack up and head over to the start line behind a big group of people. It was perfect timing. The local pace sends groups of riders (designated as those you claim as your teammates as registration) out every 3 minutes, so I knew we would be standing around in a group of riders for a while. We had 3 groups ahead and 2 behind us. Perfect!
I was prepared for a tantrum once the others set out, but she just stood there eating grass. We inched up in line until we were at the front and she calmly watched the group of 2 riders go ahead. The start was along the bottom of the parking lot field and was a mandatory walk until you wound up and out to the road. Probably a quarter of a mile and right past the trailers, people and other horses. A perfect distraction.
We got let out and she walked. Slowly. In fact I had to urge her to keep moving at more than a snails pace. Huh. There goes working on race brain.
Once we hit the road I asked her to trot and saw the group ahead of us stop at the road crossing that leads into the woods. The pace was amazing with volunteers and stationed them at each road crossing along the way. Once we hit the woods, it was evident that I would be keeping a faster pace than those ahead, so I asked to pass and braced myself for a tantrum from my crazy horse. At the last ride she refused to pass those ahead once she caught up to them and this was yet another great instance to work on something.
Except the mare just passed without a fuss and settled into the trail. Huh.
We quickly came across another group of riders and passed them as well. In fact the only thing that bothered Gem all day were the plethora of limbs, downed trees and branches. I think the month off took us 3 steps back mentally as she spooked at everything in the woods. You would think she hasn't been ridden outside of an arena ever. I learned a long time ago that ignoring her was best and I just urged her forward each time as we ping ponged our way down the trail.
We came out of the woods and along the first field. I planned on asking her to canter through here to help put some space between us and those right behind us. I very much dislike playing leap frog down the trail and those we had passed were keeping up pretty well. She picked up a lovely canter and we laid some tracks until the jumps came into view. The local pace allows for anyone in either division (hunter which I sign up for or trail rider) to either take or avoid the jumps. I planned on avoiding them and Gem most certainly agreed as she came to a screeching halt and gave them the hairy eyeball. I used to spend the winters jumping the mare and she never really enjoyed it much but tolerated it as long as the standards were painted. Bare wood scares her, but brightly colored and flowery jumps were never an issue. Silly mare.
The others caught up again and we re-entered the woods. I was doing my best to keep a good distance, but knew the trail well enough to know when I needed to let her walk over the leaf strewn, root laden trail. I asked if they wanted to pass but they declined and stayed behind. At one point we came to a creek crossing and I asked them if they wanted me to stop for them to let their horses drink. I didn't want to charge off, but they said it was fine and off I went. I didn't see them the rest of the day.
On we went and poor Gem. Having seen what she is capable of, I wasn't in the mood to let her pretend to be tired. We could easily do the 10 mile course (or so I figured given the trail we were on and I ended up being right. The pace doesn't tell you the distance in advance.) at the pace I wanted given her effort on a much steeper trail a month before. She wasn't so happy with me, but eventually caved in and moved out. It was pretty warm out and I regretted my choice of a fleece shirt. I paid close attention to how she was breathing due to her thick winter coat and let her walk when I thought she honestly needed it.
We came out into the mandatory hold with a very well marked sign that pointed the way and said you must walk to and from the hold. There was a car parked by it, but all you had to do was wander around it and the trail was basically unmistakable. We wandered down the lane to a point by the beach and I regretted not figuring out how to bring my phone along. My new tights have no pockets, but the lake was gorgeous and would have been worth carrying it. Heck, I never even touched the bit and could have ridden her no hands the entire time she was behaving so well. I stopped and decided against taking the offered Port and drank water instead and before long the 3 minutes were up.
As we made the long walk back we saw the group we had passed coming towards us, a male/female team on two gorgeous and monstrous warm bloods and then just as we passed the sign that pointed down the lane a solo rider on a big grey percheron came into view. The trail picked back up along a gravel access road that I knew very well and Gem and I made our way along knowing there was a lot of time between us and those behind us since it had taken roughly 3 minutes to walk down, 3 at the hold and 3 to come back.
As we neared the end the lady on the big percheron asked to pass. I was confused. She was just starting the walk down to the hold when I came out and there were 2 other groups ahead of her. There was no way she should have been passing us at this point. I pulled over and let her pass just as we entered the woods and I wanted to trot, but I thought it would be rude to say no and charge off not knowing the pace she was keeping.
She slowed to a walk (sigh) and then asked if I knew where the end came out. I told her what I thought it would be given the location. As we went I slyly asked if she had taken the port or the water at the hold. She said she wasn't offered anything. I asked if she saw the lady and man there and she shrugged me off saying it was too confusing and she just stopped at the sign for 30 seconds and then came down the lane. Ah. There it was. I nicely mentioned that she had needed to follow the big arrow pointing down the lane, stop for 3 minutes while they timed her, then head back out. They take your number there and everything so they know if you don't go by. Anyway, it isn't about passing people. Cheating that way won't help you since the winner is the one closest to optimal time which included the walk down, the hold and walk back. But whatever. To each their own.
As she kept walking, I asked to pass and off we went again.
I knew right where we were and knew we had roughly 2 miles to camp. Looking at my Garmin I was surprised at how long we had been out already. I ride there enough to know exactly how much distance it drops, so I was prepared to see only 6 miles when it should have said 8, but was not prepared to see it say we were out over 1 1/2 hours already. We had kept a very good pace up (or so I had thought) and this was annoying. I vowed that we would not go over 2 hours and so when we reached the mile marker and I saw we were at 1 hr 42 minutes, I kicked it up.
The only real people encounter I had all day was at the last road crossing. Gem knew exactly where she was and wanted to get home. We came around a blind curve to the road and two volunteers were there. The one had stationed her bright red camping chair, food containers and beer can at the trail head. On the other side of the trail was a big drainage ditch and then there was the busy road. Gem took one look at the chair and freaked. She refused to go pass and really to her credit it looked scary, was in the wrong place and gave only maybe a foot of space on trail between it and the ditch.
I'm not one to get off Gem much to lead her past crap, but a quick risk:benefit analysis showed it wasn't worth the fight. We would either end up in the ditch or hit by a car. I jumped off and the volunteer made a snide remark:
"When you are young you can afford to get off and on, but when older you use a stick. No horse of mine refuses things"
"Well, it isn't worth the risk with the road right here and she has done a lot for me. It isn't worth it"
"Just wait until there is a river around and then you'll get wet jumping off. What will you do then?"
"Hope someone isn't stupid enough to leave a scary chair with barely enough room around it right by a ditch and a busy road. But who would do that?"
And off we trotted back to camp.
I looked down at my watch and was happy to be approaching the finish line before 2 hours, but still confused as to how it took so long. Once across we were told it was 1 hour 23 minutes. Huh???
I looked at the real time for the first time and verified it. I have no clue what my watch was doing. That's the first time the time has been off. I had cleared it right before hitting start and everything and I know I hit start right as we got counted down and let go.
Odd.
Anyway...we stuck around for lunch, talked to some old friends we made when first in town and enjoyed the afternoon. My riding funk has come to an official stop. While I am thrilled Gem behaved so well, I am curious as to if the 50 miles finally got it into her head to not rush the start or if she just knew it wasn't endurance. Will have to wait until our next outing to find out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)