Tuesday 23 April 2019

5 Days Of Riding: Western Games Day

I've got to admit, I was kind of nervous Saturday morning. I knew it was a pretty informal fun day and that I'd most likely enjoy myself, but lurking in the back of my mind were all the what if's, given this was a new thing to try and especially given Bridget's recent rambunctious behaviour. Confidence issues stink...my mind had taken a few "exciting" rides and turned it into a thing where galloping Bridget felt like it might not be safe anymore.

So cute, though.
I had to give myself a little pep talk, especially once I hopped on and B was once again spooking, scooting and generally looky and generally not steering and stopping as well as you might hope. These cobs are fun, but they're also quite quick and very powerful feeling when they're "on".

Scurry race. B was feeling ambitious.

And, it all worked out just fine. Better than fine, actually. Bridget actually won the keyhole and scurry races, which was more than slightly shocking given she's not what I'd call fast! I guess she does have a big stride though, and is pretty quick through turns.

Winner winner

A riding acquaintance wasn't having as much fun as me and needed to hop back on and finish on a good note, so I took the opportunity to call it a day and head for a quiet trail ride with her. I felt a little bad leaving halfway through because I appreciated the organization that went on to coordinate the event, but I think we've all been the person having a not so great experience and trail rides are always fun too.

This trail always makes me feel like I'm in some fantasy movie. The trees are huge and gorgeous and it's very peaceful.

We got back just in time for the first aid and wrapping clinic. Poor B was still not tired out and had a bit of a tough time standing for 2.5 hours of demos and talks, so I'm actually starting to wonder about her. We were out from 9am to 5pm, with about 4 hours of saddle time and she still was impatient and jumpy and spooky all the way home. Very, very unlike her.

Learning how to do a hock wrap.

At any rate, the wrapping clinic was good. I didn't do pony club or any kind of organized learning as a kid, so I often feel like there are gaps in my knowledge. Most of the things demo'd were familiar to me, but it was cool adding some additional tips and tricks from a pro groom. I tend to use boots for everything, so it was good practice to do shipping wraps and polos and have someone super experienced check them.

 All in all, it was a super long, but enjoyable day. It felt a little unreal to still have two more days of adventures planned before I had to return to work!


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13 comments

  1. Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that you had a great day and congrats on the satin!

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  2. that sounds like fun and what a good friend to go with your friend trail riding to give her a good experience.

    Maybe B got new batteries install for Easter? Zoom Zoom she says HA:)

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    1. Possibly? These energy levels are absolutely unprecedented.

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  3. Congratulations on the win! And those trees are amazing. I would love to ride in a forest like that. Sometimes it's better to stop while you are ahead too.
    Keep your eye of B, maybe she was having her first heat of the year? That can be intense.

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    1. I've been wondering about that - she's pretty secretive so we may never know! We are lucky to have a few older forests here to ride through. Sadly, there was a forest fire about 100 years ago so the trees in the picture as as big as they get in this general area :(

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  4. ha B looks so fierce in that scurry race pic, sounds fun!

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  5. Maybe B actually IS fast, haha. Congratulations on the satin and it sounds like it was a pretty fun day aside from the weird spooky behavior. Try not to let it fog your brain too much - I hope you can figure out whatever it is that is ailing B!

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    1. Its a bit of a puzzle, for sure. Vet day is coming up soon so I'll chat with him. I'm 50/50 loving the extra energy and afraid of dying:)

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  6. Yay glad you had fun, and congrats! I'm not very familiar with gaming, what else is in a scurry race?
    I'm a decent wrapper, but I love watching pros do it!

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    1. I'm certainly not experienced with it, but normally it seems to be 3 or so tiny jumps basically up the arena and back and a barrel or pole marking the turn. Easy peasy for horses that have jumped a course before, was a bit of a challenge for some of the western riders.

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  7. I gave a mini polo wrapping clinic to the kids at our barn but even I'd love to attend a wrapping clinic, I have no freaking clue how to wrap a knee.

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