Day 1: Lacks Creek

It's the first day of our riding vacation and we set off for Lacks Creek off Bair Rd in Redwood Valley. Jupiter, Keota, & Zigs were easy to catch and it took the three of them (Shirley, Alisa, and Lynn) to corner to Star. But then we were off!

The road was dirt and somewhat slippery once we got off the main paved road and head up the hill. We accidentally passed the kiosk for our trailhead, but after meeting a friendly logtruck driver that Lynn knew we headed back to it. He even left us a great sign (actually two signs!) in case we were even more stupid than we appeared. (:

 Once we were saddled up and on the trail, it was awesome. The trails were clearly marked and easy to follow. The footing was good and there was a lot of water for both the animals and for us if we had needed it. We went on the Beaver Ridge trail to Faulkner Trail which led to a meadow where we snacked while the horses ate good grass. We saw a huge redtail hawk, a ginormous black bull, a bunch of cows, a horse-eating gray boulder, but although we saw elk dung, we didn't see any elk. We went back up the trail and got back on Beaver Ridge and we followed it out pretty far, but decided that would be another day's ride.

As soon as we got back to the trucks, the heavens opened up and it poured rain! The horses were ready to get in the trailer even without having any grain. We also met two really nice BLM guys. They want people to use their trails and are working on marking some more. We all decided this ride is a definite do-over!

It was a good day and great way to start our riding week--even Star had a good time. I can't wait until tomorrow.

Operator Error: Unscheduled Dismount

It was a beautiful Saturday morning. The first Saturday of summer vacation for me and the start of Lynn's vacation. Once on top, we turned to the left and rode the Hennessey trail in reverse. I think the horses were feeling good because it was cool and the trail looked different from the opposite direction. We let them go a little faster than normal and all of us were jumping logs and creeks and whatever. It was fun!

As we were making our way up the backside of the mountain, Jupes and I were in the back and he was trotting hard to keep up. At one point, we came down off a slope and he jumped the muddy ditch and began loping/cantering/trotting/crow-hopping to pass the boys and get in front. I do not know exactly what kind of gait it was. Lynn said it was a new invention that Jupes simply created in his desire to be in the lead! All I know is, it felt funny and I was trying not to yell at him and pull him up if he wasn't bucking, but trying to read him to make sure he wasn't going pitch me off in a hard buck. It's kind of a fine line of discrimination with him. I can hear him thinking, "Whoohoo! I'm in front! Catch me if you can!", as he shifts into happy gear and kicks up in joy! (Been there, done that!)

For all his mellowness, Ziggy really likes to be in front. I think Buster really likes to be in front of Jupes (payback for all the orneryness in the field!). So when Jupiter got the lead, the competition was on and he was not going to let go of it. Heading up toward the creek, I took him around a downed tree and Lynn had Zigs jump it. Jupiter could see Ziggy and knew that his long legs would take him over the tree and into the lead, so he cut the corner tight and squirted out in front him and back on the trail. As we headed up, Lynn laughed and said, "I saw daylight (between me and the saddle)! You'd better watch out, you're getting a little out of control!"

Well we stopped for a quick drink and then headed up the hill. I told Jupes to go easy as we went on downslopes and then I would let him power run up the next side. Well. I think the branches bend the opposite way since we usually come from the other direction, because the next thing I knew, I am trying to slow him down as I am fighting the branches. I was laying across his neck when I was lifted up and found myself looking down at his back. My right leg was still over him and as I was thinking, "Am I strong enough to pull myself back into the saddle?", I landed on my knees on the ground next to him. The hard-packed ground, I might add!

I landed with the reins in my left hand and my right hand and knees were in tabletop position right next him. He was looking at me like, "You know, we could have a lot more fun if you would just stay up there!" I  got up and led him up to the flat so I could look at my knees and brush myself off. Thankfully, I am fine--scraped up knees is the worst of it. I think the tree limbs broke my fall.

I heard Lynn's, "Rider off!" as they slowed down and walked up to me. Shirley was laughing, "Well you almost made it a year!" But she also gave me a compliment--she said I was good rider and blamed my fall on not having a horn or bucking rolls. Yeah, well I know all but two times I have gone off have been my fault! I guess I should be happy that I have down to one a year. (:

The Final Countdown

It's Wednesday of the last week of school! Next week is vacation and lots of riding my boy and  hanging out with my besties. (:

Today Lynn and I are going to check out a potentially new place to ride. We may have two new ones to add to our regular rides. I can hardly wait.

Who's ready?

Play Day videos

Play Day April 2013

 

Hoopa Play Day

Today we did something I have never done--we did barrels, poles, and combinations of both. I really had fun and am glad we did it. Lynn said this is how it is: sit around watching others, socialize, ride, sit around watching others, socialize, sit around watch them change the arena for the next event, repeat. Good thing Star was not with us--"Star's bored," would have been Shirley's mantra.

Nope, she had Mr. Boring who gave her a rodeo ride just inside the gate. That was it--none of us wanted her to go off, so that was the end of her "play day." The wind kicked up, Shirley didn't eat anything all day, and Buster was no fun, so she was ready to leave. But we stayed most of the day. Lynn and I rode the events and visited with people.

Ziggy was nervous so he kept his tongue in his mouth the whole day! He ran beautifully and reined perfectly. Lynn knows her way around barrels and poles and such so they were fun to watch. Jupes was awesome! He and I are rookies, but he did everything. It might have been a little jerky (my fault) and he high-stepped a little in the middle (his "I'm all that" attitude), but it was fun. He is so smart--once he understood what I was asking, he just did it. Lynn didn't get to do the poles or watch me because Shirley wanted out of there, but Jupes did the poles like an old pro. He would've run if I weren't a big baby.

We also rode outside the rodeo grounds and went to the river. There were no bathrooms or porta-potties, so we saw someone crouching in the tall flowers to go so we rode around on the roads below the arena a little, too. (:  It was funny. Alisa, if we aren't camping in Bieber, you might have to come over here and we'll do it again the third weekend in June. Keota is smart; he would be good, too.

Anyway, I had a blast. Anything I get to do with my horse and my friends is fun. I got to surprise a lot of people who only know me as the high school teacher, so that was fun, too. We took some videos, so once I am somewhere where I can upload more quickly--I will put them on YouTube so we can watch them! They turned out pretty good.

Never a dull moment

On March 20, 2010, we drove to Oregon and got Jupiter; tomorrow he will be turning eight! I can't believe how much fun we have had together. I am glad he's my partner, BUT he wears me out! Today we went on the Hoop-de-do trail to check out whether there were any down trees. Nancy, Lynn's sister-in-law, intimated that she would ride with us if asked. Long backstory, but ultimately, we went to check out whether it would be do-able to meet her above her house on the trail.

Well, this is the trail that always makes me nervous, even though it's fun. Jupiter has been so well-behaved that I should have expected the day we had. He started out feeling like he was a spring under me and then it just escalated. It all came together as we started running up a hill behind Buster and Ziggy. It was deja'vu. I know we have been here before. He jumped and crow-hopped his way up with me yelling, "DOGGONE IT!" He stopped and I whaled on him and told we were not doing this. He pouted and sulked all the way to the end. Then coming back, he acted up coming downhill. So I used the spurs and reminded him that I am the boss and he is to do what I ask him to do.

Sheesh. Gorgeous day, but I was tired. I think I gritted my teeth most of the day. Tomorrow, we are going to Hoopa to a gymkana/play day. I am not sure what we will do--Shirley thinks we'll ride in it--poles, barrels, whatever. We'll see I guess.

Enjoying life

Today is a gorgeous March Friday. The boys got new shoes yesterday and started a new story for Adam. (Lynn did you notice he knew all the boys' names? I thought it was cool.) Jupiter is learning too much from Star. I know I was lamenting that he and Indy were so close and I didn't want him to be a ditz; but now he is acting a little like Star and that's not good either. As soon as he saw Adam coming up the hill to fetch a pail of water--oh, wrong story--fetch him to get his shoes, he and Star ran willy-nilly up the hill! Thankfully, he thought to wrinkle an old oak leaf and Jupes thought he had a granola bar and came back to him. Sheesh. I guess it's a good thing he is so food-oriented.

Nevertheless, Adam had followed them almost all the way to water tank! They were heading for the high country. Lynn had to take off work to go and help catch the sillies! Adam admitted he made a mistake--he left Ziggy by himself. That boy does not want to be tied, does not want to be alone, and won't stand still when he's worked on. Lynn had to catch him again because Adam thought he might have been a little lame when he turned him loose and he wanted to check him. Again, thanks Adam. I guess $120 is acceptable for all the extra stuff. Ziggy must have gotten everyone worked up because even Buster was a difficult job!

I am excited because I am feeding the boys all by myself. Lynn is off to hang out with Alisa while the guys work on a truck. Ziggy didn't get to go after all because there is still too much snow. It will be a good chance to see them all weekend because next week is going to crazy busy for me and the following one I will be out of town.

Last weekend Alisa came over and brought both Keota and Odie. Our boys were less than hospitable and bullied their guests. Odie probably hung out with Brady when we were all gone; that is if Star let him! They all rode on Friday and then we rode on Saturday (without Shirley) and then the three of us rode on Sunday. It was fun and eventful. Some of the highlight include: a car with a bullet hole; two men (paramilitary types) shooting on the top of Hennessey; lumberjacking down trees on the road; bushwhacking on new trails around formerly good trails with trees blocking them; and over all good times of being with best friends--both human and equine.