Horsing Around

Several years ago, when D and I got our horses, Cathy, who is an enabler of the best kind, casually mentioned how...now that we had some horses.....maybe I would think about doing endurance racing with Diggs when he was old enough and trained up.  Pshaw, said I.  Never.

So then, a few months later, Cathy sends me a gift box "for Digger" with a great wool saddle blanket and a pair of split reins that she used when SHE used to ride and train for endurance.  And tucked under all of that was a stack of magazine clippings and notes about endurance training.  You know....because she didn't have horses anymore and what would she do with them, but it seemed wasteful to just throw them away.  But.....no pressure - just for reading interest.  You know........ Pshaw again, said I. Never EVER.

So THEN, she starts casually sending me photos of her horses and her trailer, and places she rode endurance rides, and when I finally had the chance to visit her, "my room" had ribbons and maps and pictures from her endurance rides on the walls.  And of course we talked horses for 2 days while I was there (and some fiber stuff for good measure).

I ask you......How is a person supposed to resist this kind of subliminal brain-washing?  I apparently am not immune, because Gee!  I had a brilliant idea - I'm going to try Diggs at endurance racing.  (I cannot imagine where this came from!).  Anyway, the boy is now old enough and trail saavy enough, and we have started to put some training miles on him for our first ride together down in Moab (land of the red rocks) the first weekend in November.

You can read some great basic info about endurance racing at the national organization's website and more about this specific ride here.  Diggs and I are going to start small and do the 25-mile ride, rather than the 50-miler (there are also 100-milers, although not at this particular race).  These are timed events (you must complete the 25 miles in 6 hours or less, including a 1-hour vet check/rest break) but you also have to meet certain criteria such as pulse rate/respiratory rate parameters AND have your horse be judged "fit to continue" by the vets who keep a close eye on all the horses to be sure they aren't being overly taxed by the race itself.  It's also a great time to go and see some beautiful country and ride your horse all day, so what could be better? 

So, we'll see how it goes and if Diggs enjoys himself - which is really an important part of the whole thing if you are going to be spending that much time with your horse - and how he does with the vet checks.  Wish us luck!

PS - Cathy ALSO sent Diggs a gift for my birthday (yes, this is horse-person logic) this year, which she made for him.  It's a horse "leash", 2 mobius'es linked together, knit and then felted.  And of course, she added da bling (silver and purple beads) because the boy is nuttin if not fashionable.  Cute, eh?

All for now......

Comments

[AmyP]

Aww - does that come under cruelty to horses? He's stylin', anyway!
I didn't win the SOS contest for the socks (the ones I designed using the bamboo yarn), but I'll be selling the pattern myself. Do you want a photo (and a complimentary copy of the pattern, of course!)?

[Marcia Cooke]

Hmm, I don't know about the endurance part of things, but I sure could handle the Moab part! And I think Digger looks cute in the beaded leash thing!

[Sheepish Annie]

Brilliant idea you had there! (I do love a good enabler...all my best ideas seem to come after hanging out with one) Digger will have a blast!

[mary lou]

I have hiked/camped in that area - I think the 25 sounds like a total blast! I hope Dig enjoys it and passes his vet checks with flying colors. My horse enabler, who sent Holley a 'trousseau' is a Kathy, too.

[Nicole]

Diggs looks smashing, but not too happy about being a model--"Aww, do you have to take that picture?" It's a very sweet birthday present.

Best of luck in the ride! I expect to hear all about it when I get back from my river trip!

[PJ]

I think that is awesome...Cathy does have that affect on people....I wonder why I have 5 DAY lilies planted in my yard;)hahaha...You GO Diggs!

[Chris]

Cathy - Ha! She's amazing, that one. And persuasive. But I don't underestimate your powers of sneaky persuasion, either. I hope you and Digger have a great first race!

[Cathy]

You tell it so well and Digg is, naturally, enchanting. Blame the moibus leash on Cat Bordhi and Elaine (5 acres with a view blog).

I want to come over to Moab. We'll see how the weather holds.

[Karen]

That sounds like so much fun! I always thought endurance rides sounded interesting. Best of luck with training and the ride.

[Laurie]

Not so subliminal. She is nothing if not persistent.

The leash looks great! And horse-proof.

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