This weekend I had the choice between a new to me endurance ride in Eastern Oregon, Lava Crest, or returning to Mount Adams Horse Camp to relax and explore a bit more. I wanted more time to prep Tarma (and myself) for our last endurance ride of the season, and I wanted to camp with the lovely, chill group of folks that my friend and old trainer coordinates, and it was the right choice for us. Tarma and I had a wonderful weekend with our happy sidekick Benny.

These are the days and the trips that fill up the soul and erase all the stress, the moments we put all the work and sweat equity and time to be able to enjoy. Other than the damn wasps, there were no bobbles, the truck worked, the dog didn’t bite a wasp, the horse didn’t find a rock with her name on it. I need these non-endurance trips to check the bond I have with Tarma, to remind her that not every trip is a race, and we do really click and shine just eating up new trail together.

We fit in 26 beautiful, fun miles over three days (and Benny did every step with us!) We stared at the stars and the Milky Way. We avoided any equine-human arguments and I made a new friend of an endurance teammate. Our canters were long and beautifully controlled (I’ve learned to two point and grab mane, and she’s more responsive to the amount of rein I keep). If I make it til the cold season as I currently have, I’m going to make myself a t-shirt that says “I survived the Waspocalypse of 2023 unstung” cause those bastards are nasty and everywhere. Friday night Tarma told me there was something Not Right in camp around midnight (Bear? Elk? Cougar?) by dragon snorting and spinning on the Hi-tie for half an hour. She persisted with trying to convince me to get out of my cozy bed to take her to pee off the Hi-tie at least twice (once at 3am, again at 6am) before giving in and peeing on the Hi-tie (the indignity). After our short rode before heading out on Sunday, she kept walking away from the trailer, not nearly ready to be finished. Benny made everyone laugh with his attempts to climb into my lap with full Labradork grace, and I listened more than I talked around the (propane) fire pit.

I eased back home via a pit stop at A’s house, where my two ride or dies helped Tarma conquer her fear of the Tarma Eating Pool Noodles. A year ago she flat out refused to have them touch her, and now we can chase our friends and get beat up by them, all in pursuit of a big fat horse cookie.

Now we have two short weeks and we’ll head up to JBLM to see if we can put together a successful end to a pretty damn good endurance season. It’s tempting to try for the spur award (back to back 50s) but I’m not sure we’re up for that, and it’s better to end the season on a high note. I’m excited all the same as Benny can come along, and a few friends might be able to come too! I was, sadly, unsuccessful at convincing the husband to stay at a nearby hotel and come cheer me on in person (though with all the work he does to keep the rig running and safe, he more than cheers us on for sure!)