Mount Adams, Vacation Mode

September 18, 2023.Reading time 7 minutes.

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 […]

Groundwork never ends

September 12, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

Tarma was so soft and engaged when I went out into the pasture after work today, and I wanted to stay with this calm, open energy. Instead of working at speed in the round pen, we stayed grounded and worked on some ETS obstacles. After our last dressage lesson we really struggled with opening and […]

Slide Into September

September 11, 2023.Reading time 13 minutes.

I’ve been a bit mum as August faded into September. I had some things to sort out after Midnight Rider, in addition to Tarma’s mandatory post 50 miler rest period. A few post-MR things to note, now that the hubbub has passed: WHEW. I did not expect the pacing rabbit hole on a Monday night. […]

Midnight Rider Ride Report

August 13, 2023.Reading time 19 minutes.

I’m writing this up before I collapse and there’s a lot here, so buckle up! Upfront I want to thank every single volunteer, from the ride manager on down, for how cheerful and helpful and encouraging they all were all weekend. Having those radio folks out on the trail keeping track of you is such […]

Stay Up Late

August 3, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

With two solid 50’s under our belts, I’ve decided to keep stretching our relationship a bit. Next week instead of waking up at 5am for a 6am start, I’ll sleep in awhile. We’re going to the Midnight Rider 50 up at Mt. Adams, heading out for the first loop at 3pm…which means we’ll finish up […]

There’s a wall

July 27, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

I cantered Tarma into a wall during our last dressage lesson, but it was still considered improvement. Or, as my dressage trainer said, “Pleasently surprising”, which I’m totally putting on my resume now. I’m not entirely sure where I picked up my “I can’t canter in the arena” anxiety but man does it being up […]

Where Did June Go?

June 28, 2023.Reading time 9 minutes.

Whoopsie, our (probable, possible) next 50 mile ride is (panic checks calendar) only 10 days away and boy are we…not 100% certain. I had always planned June off from endurance rides as part of my overall “I only have one noble steed” strategy. Most endurance riders end up with multiple mounts for various reasons, chief […]

Book Review: On The Hoof

June 16, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

During the course of my first office job, I wrote several chapters of a book that will never see the light of day. It’s titled “Through the horse’s ears” and was pure escapist prose, where the heroine proceeds onto her equine based adventure with utter surety and smoothness. Seriously, I reread this a few years […]

Benny At Bat

June 6, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

Happy Second Birthday Benny!!!!!! With the thick of endurance season upon us, I’m actually riding Tarma less than I do in the winter. She gets the standard week or two off after each race, and then a few tune up rides before the next event. This leaves me with lots of free time, and also […]

M&A Recap: Success with a side of hail

May 31, 2023.Reading time 18 minutes.

I always like to wait a few days to do my official ride write up. This gives me time to stop groaning every time I get up, clean out the rig, and really see how Tarma is doing after we’re back home. Today she had a chiropractic appointment with the ever lovely Dr. Sammons of […]