We started out the season at the inaugural running of Take No Prisoners at Kings Mountain State Park. Tim Worden and Vance Stine did a marvelous job of putting on this ride. This is one of the locations where I train and so Eli and I were very comfortable there. Sarah and I drove in for the ride that morning since it is only 45 minutes away. Sarah and Puff did the LD and Eli and I did the 50.
Eli was incredibly strong all day and we finished the 50 in a sub 8 hour ride time. The trail is very technical with lots of roots and stobs where they have built up a new trail. Eli only has two more years till he receives his decade team award.
A few weeks later, we all headed up to Leatherwood. This time Jazeb was up for action in the LD. I had a great time riding with Deb, Sarah, and Rebecca. Dody and Anita were doing the 50 on Itchy and Shag. We camped out at the trail barn and had a generally awesome weekend. I like to alternate my boys at rides so Jazeb was tackling his first competition at Leatherwood and let me tell you that he excelled in all avenues. He walked calmly out of camp and steadily picked horses off all day long. His heart rate recoveries continue to be amazing. He is a great LD horse because you can come in off trail, drop tack, and head to the pulse box. No work required.
Dody and Itchy, Deb and Sasha, Patricia and Jazeb, Sarah and Puff, Anita and Shag...with Super Crew Clara! Photo by Becky Siler Pearman
Jazeb and Sasha coming in. Photo by Becky Siler Pearman
Jazeb Photo by Becky Siler Pearman
Photo by John Pearman
Photo by Becky Siler Pearman
Two weeks after Leatherwood, Sarah and I headed to Sandhills for the LD with Eli and Puff. Eli really rocked the trail and probably should have done the 50. His vet card was all As with great recoveries. I also got to try out my "new to me" Gore horse trailer. It is 8 ft tall and is an oversized warmblood straight load. It is "almost" a 2+1 but doesn't have a side ramp. The room in the back for staging proved invaluable and we had a great time camping.
Eli rocking it out...Photo by Becky Siler Pearman
Photo by Becky Siler Pearman
Now, on to some summer camping trips and we'll pick back up in the fall at South Mountains, Biltmore, and Carolina Ride.
Yay you! The horses look great--and nice trailer, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Aarene! Glad you and Fiddle are having a good year as well.
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