I’ve been pursuing endurance riding with a more or less singular focus for 5 years now (Thanks Facebook for the reminder!). When I say singular, I mean I have a life and a kid and a fiance, but as far as hobby time goes, I’m undistracted by trail courses or running cows or mounted archery or one of a thousand things one can do with horses. For me, it’s about miles on trail, trotting on down endless logging roads.

This is the first year that I’m actively working all the scattered pieces into place to have a consistent, goal oriented season (other than: just ride!). Kade is (finally!) (mostly) (in my dreams right?) ready to head to ride camp with me and hang out with any old volunteer while I ride; I’ve dropped a fair bit of weight and started consistently doing floor workouts (plus joined Weight Watchers); I’m getting my own flexible tack in line; part leasing and working weekly with a steady but slightly more challenging for me horse; and signed up for another clinic with Celena Pentrack, who helped me so much last time.

As someone who still considers herself a certified endurance Green Bean, I mostly watched the unfurling of all the drama around the Summers clan, the anger and sadness and hurt and birth of EDRA. In response now that most of the dust has settled, I’ve stepped up a bit in helping PNER, because it’s been PNER members all along who’ve helped me and continue to do so. I’ve paid my dues for the second year in a row, help with the newsletter when needed, and me and the kid will be helping out at future trail work days.

As another step towards my goal to do endurance long term and invest myself in the sport, I paid AERC dues to join that organization. My reasons are many, but come down mostly to my own belief that if you want to have an opinion, you’ve got to join up and support first. I’m not going to suddenly start spouting my opinions; still a Green Bean, still a lot to learn and miles yet to ride to really figure this sport out. There’s plenty of time; I know endurance riders still going far longer than I can that have grown grandchildren!

Enough with the sometimes hard stuff! I’ve got a tack sale to hit up this weekend and a date with a cute redhead in the sunshine! What’s everyone’s ride plans look like this weekend?