On the loose

One in the saddle, one on the ground

horseback riding

  • Four Years Strong

    This week it’s been four years since I went to see Tarma, handed over a decent sized check and hauled her home to my friend’s place and started inflicting my love and efforts and dreams upon her. While I was trying to sum up where we’re at for my dressage trainer at our last lesson,… Read more

  • Fork in the woods

    With our endurance season ending a bit earlier than expected, my focus is shifting towards winter work. I was able to fit in a quick overnight trip with a friend from the Dry Side, and it helped me realize that my desire for more adventures might also be shifting from endurance, at least for a… Read more

  • Moments in the mountains

    I was finally able to cross a bucket list ride off a few weeks ago in epic style with a friend I don’t get to hang out with much. As I pointed out to her while we stuffed ribs in our faces in her camper after a gorgeous 22 mile ride, it’s not like there’s… Read more

  • National Championship Open Ride Report

    Whew, what a week! I feel I got the mild version of a trip to the AERC National Championships, not that it’s a bad thing. A heck of a lot happened, but folks are healing and horses look fantastic from all accounts, so it was a successful trip for many including us. Packing for this… Read more

  • Santiam Cascade Ride Report

    The transition back to the home front after an endurance ride is often the bumpiest part, life narrows to the essentials at ride camp and opens back up to the pressing needs of every day life once the rig is parked in the driveway again. The lure of a long, hot shower and the comfortable… Read more

  • Still Prineville Ride Report

    Well, for a ride that wasn’t even on my radar until about mid-April, our first expedition to Still Prineville definitely qualified as endurance! I’m super happy with where Tarma and I are at, in how well we’re flowing together. We’re at the spot where I can decide two weeks before a ride to enter, and… Read more

  • January roundup

    January was a bit of a wild month here, trapped in our homes for almost a week due to an ice storm. These level of storms are becoming more regular even in the Willamette Valley, this is the third since we’ve been in our home where we’ve lost power or been stuck for more than… Read more

  • Equine Ethics

    As the ice outside my front door is almost an inch thick and I haven’t seen my horse in five damn days, why not wade in to the latest equine related hubbub? I’m not going to dig up links or anything, so here’s an outsiders quick summary: Some previously hot shot Hunter/Jumper rider from the… Read more

  • Testing to building

    To say that 2023 was a banner year for me seems wrong somehow, in the face of…*gestures at everything else*. Though to look back and not smile at all the miles we put in and highlights we found together, my spicy chocolate mare and I, rings hollow as well. I’m still mulling over a word… Read more

  • Temper

    I don’t loose my temper often. I’ve worked hard to become an adult, a person who can pause just long enough in any given situations to avoid responding in a damaging way. That said, I’m still a flawed human, and last night showed it. Last night’s ride was…not ideal. We started off well enough, I… Read more