One and Done

The Back Country Horseman  (Humboldt County branch) advertised that were putting on a Trail Trial Obstacle Challenge. We tentatively began talking about whether we wanted to go. Then they sent out emails that asked for volunteers to work the event with the hook that they would get to do the course at the end of the day for free. That sounded like fun. So, thinking we would be good members and get involved more, we gave up our Saturday ride and headed to Ferndale.

Well, it worth a few chuckles. It wasn't as organized as either of us expected and there was quite a bit of disagreeing (bickering) among the three women "in charge." We spent three hours setting up and walking through the course. It has potential to be fun. They are bringing in turkeys, chickens, llamas (!), a fan to blow and rattle a tent, bear pee (?), and there are doves and pigeons flying to their nests in the rafters all the time. It should be interesting.

But then we heard that 200+ people were coming. They said that last year, they had 30 and it took all day. Everyone started mumbling that maybe they would rethink bringing their horses.

We had already been out scoping where to park and how to handle our boys. We didn't want them standing on pavement all day. We weren't sure about being in the trailer from 5:30 am to 4:00 pm either. They weren't going to be where we could see them. We weren't sure if we were even going to get bathroom breaks, let alone check on the horses breaks. Although we really wanted to do the obstacle course, we decided to leave the boys home.

According to Facebook (where I think they are getting their numbers), there are over 200 people "interested" in the Trail Trials Challenge. There are 50ish who are "going." We are going to be super disappointed if there aren't that many and we could've done the course without a lot of stress of having the our horses there. We are going to be very tired if there are tons of people and we spend the day standing at our posts. Most of all--it is going to be beautiful day and we are going to miss out on a second day of riding. AND hang out with people who are only marginally friendly.

Next time, we will do this differently.