Team Grace from Michigan includes a 9 year old Fjord Quarter Cross named Idunn Grace (pronounced E dun) and rider Heather Grace. Occasionally our Australian Shepard, Wilson joins us on trail too.
We are grateful for every day we get to spend hanging out, doing ground work, in the saddle or driving!
2012 was our first year together as this is my first horse so we tracked our progress together through FaceBook & hours on our calendar. 2013 was our first Distance Derby year riding 1067.75 Miles & we are hooked!
The Derby really is that extra push to make your pony even more of a priority & all that riding improved our partnership so much we learned to confidently ride out SOLO & learned to drive. Those skills probably would not have developed so quickly without the Derby's encouragement!
Can't wait to see what 2014 brings!
Wishing all fellow riders a safe, mutually respectful & joyful 2014 with your equine partners!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2013 / 1067.75 Miles / 9th Place
1-3-2014
ReplyDeleteFIRST RIDE FOR 2014!
FIRST TRACKS IN THE SNOW SOLO!
12 Degrees/Feels Like -2 WAS BEAUTIFUL!
Indian Springs
3 Miles
YTD 3 Miles
LETS GO 2014!
Thanks for introducing us to the Distance Derby. Can't wait until spring when the snow is gone and you and Idunn head back to this side of the state to ride.
ReplyDeleteYay! So excited you & the girls joined! It's gonna be a great year & Idunn will be spending a lot of time Westside so we can ride & ride & ride! Hugs!
ReplyDelete1-4-2014
ReplyDeleteYesterday's work is today's gain!
Almost didn't ride today...cause it was supposed to be really windy.
So glad I went anyhow, better than yesterday, weather & ride!
Just a pleasure, Idunn waiting for me again, no lead line needed, forward, neck down, interested & engaged!
Indian Springs SOLO
3.5 Miles
YTD 6.5
1-5-2014
ReplyDeleteSNOWMAGGEDON!!!
We totally rode in what I will always remember as SNOWMAGGEDON!
10 additional inches of snow in just a few hours, up to their hocks, happy horses getting to stretch their legs with purpose & good company!
Indian Springs
3 Miles
YTD 9.5
2014 IS FEELING REALLY REALLY GOOD!
1-31-2014
ReplyDeleteStarting the Chinese New Year...
Year of the Horse...Riding!
Sigh...Deep breath....Finally!
Snow up to Idunn's belly in the drifts.
Deepest snow we have ever ridden.
Beautiful & necessary!
Idunn was just as happy to stretch out her stiff back end warmed & relaxed on the return.
Lots of mash, Lots of love & Lots of gratitude!!!
I LOVE MY HORSE!
Indian Springs/Lake Trail
3 Miles
YTD 12.5
I haven't heard from Kirk except about the Super Bowl how much snow do you still have there?
ReplyDelete2-18-2014
ReplyDeleteIndian Springs
Snowmaggedon Part 2
What is too much snow?
Fetlock high?
Hock high?
Shoulder High?
.4 Miles
Turned around cause friend with older horse decided it was too high for her pony.
Wondering what is too high for my 8 year old horse?
YTD 12.9 Miles
Haven't been able to input via smart phone.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to not include any miles that are past their dates.
I have to input via computer now.
3/28/2014
Test Run
Windrush Farm
Did not track miles
3/29/2014
0.74 Miles
Windrush Farm
Metamora ADT
First Show Ever
Dressage Test - ROCKED IT!
3/30/2014
3 Miles
Windrush Farm Roads
44 Degrees
YTD 16.64
4/2/2014
ReplyDeleteLesson (Miles Not Recorded)
3.12
Ruggles Ranch Over Branches
Fabulous!
YTD 19.74
4-6-2014
ReplyDelete3.5 Miles
New Lake Trail to Road to apparently always been there connector LOL!
Learn something new everyday!
YTD 23.26 Miles
4-7-2014
ReplyDelete1.60 Miles
Rach Riding Academy Refresher & Neck Reining Lesson
Preparing Horse to do what I ask
Whoa "And Whoa"
Hands Slide forward on Rein
Tighten Fingers
Back
Walk slightly ahead of shoulder to be Leader
Load Head of Horse
Use Crop to keep her from shouldering me or turning her head to face me
Don't do circles
Back if I need space
Always keep her focused on the trailer
Use Crop for aid in teach how to neck rein
First Hand slide
Drape
Tap with foot
Tap with crop aide
Pull with opposite
AWESOME Lesson; How little I know; How hard my horse tries!
Riding Stirrup less
Quality over Quantity This Season!
YTD 24.86
4-9-2014
ReplyDeleteBrighton Recreation Area
FIRST CAMP
11.3 Miles
YTD 36.16
4-10-2014
Kensington
Huron River Ride
Dairy Queen
13.24 Miles
YTD 49.50
4-17-2014
ReplyDeleteLesson
1.30
YTD 50.80
It was one of those days that was not what you had hoped for but it was strong where it matters most.
Halfway to our 3rd year. April 17.
We LEARNED ALOT today.
We are sooooo grateful for our teachers. As a middle age woman with little to no horse training, nor much $, it can't be too exciting to train me. But the teachers that have come into our lives have really embraced us & our dreams to make up for lost time, to excel with fun & mad exposure to all the disciplines. I might be getting a little competitive
Idunn is glad her mom is in school.
Only 1.30miles (we put the app on halfway through our lesson) but heavy focus. Trying to intellectually & physically understand & also direct Idunn. Poor pony!!!
We are learning neck reining, a slow collected trot I have never felt before. Always working on our seat. The benefit of repeated transitions. Creative buttons from what we have already in our tool kit.
Idunn is so patient & willing. She even reminds me not to take her for granted. Mid lesson she was like, "Um do you see me??? Putting up with all this??? Where is my release??? My good girl??? My carrot please???"
I soooo want to be better for her. I often find myself distracted by the human stuff & really want the little time she & I have together to be ours. She gives me so much try. She matches my energy exactly, if I get more directive she MOVES. But I am still in that muddly "ummm I think this might be it" stage. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET Clear! Certain! Directive!
It's a different year for sure...less time & higher expectations requires more focus & discipline on her & my partnership. Her & me. It's ON!
She has a couple of boo boos...two bites (one pretty raw) & what looks like a long wire cut from hip into belly. Vetrcylin. Carrots. Kisses. Counting the hours till I can see her again!
4-21-2014
ReplyDeleteNelsons Arena
.77
YTD 51.57
Working on neck reining
4-22-2014
ReplyDeleteIndian Springs Lake Trail
3.02
YTD 54.59
One handed non dominant hand most of the time! Windy,
30 mph winds & lots of fun!
It's a very different year but we are really doing well!
Idunn fell asleep while I talked with people rather than challenging me to get the new grass that is in. Its wonderful to see her adjusting positively to the new expectations I have for us both!
4-26-2014
ReplyDeleteMetamora Windrush Farm
Driving Did Not Track Miles
Riding North Trail 2.25 Miles
YTD 56.84
4-30-2014
ReplyDeleteRach Riding Lesson
Cones
Using Hindend
Neck Reining
.72 Miles
Ruggles
2.19 Miles
Neck Rein Non Dominant Hand
YTD 59.75
Testing...Haven't been able to enter my miles due to some tech glitch. Have new phone now & hoping this works :)
ReplyDeleteI got it:-)
ReplyDeleteYay! Count whatever is countable :)
ReplyDelete5/10/2014
Huntington, IN
7.37
5/17/2014
Cook Forest, Pennsylvania
16.27
5/18/2014
Cook Forest, Pennsylvania
10.63
5/19/2014
Cook Forest, Pennsylvania
4.29
5/26/2014
Windrush
5.23
5/27/2014
Pigeon Creek & Bass River
7.98
5/30/2014
Sugar Tree Obstacles & Cow
.78
6/1/2014
Bass River MDD Ride
5.07
6/5/2014
GH
4.74
6/6/2014
GH
.941
6/8/2014
Kalamazoo County Fair Grounds
9.37
6/9/2014
GH
2.83
6/10/2014
GH
3.45
6/11/2014
GH
3.65
6/12/2014
GH
3.23
6/13/2014
GH
3.97
6/16/2014
GH
2.19
6/17/2014
GH
2.51
6-18-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - S
3.06
6-19-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - New Trails!!! Yippee!!! With Creek!
5.44
6-21-2014
ReplyDeleteBelle Isle, Detroit
6.70
The longest day of the Year of The Horse, I just knew would be epic! From trails of sand to concrete. From west to east.
It began early. 3:30 am hunting for a cat determined to stay home. Loading up the dog. Hooking up trailer driving to pick up the third of my holy trinity.
It was breezy and just under 60 degrees perfect in the unlit morn. My boots shuffled through the sand of her Westside home. I could see her hoofprints from our time together the night before. She haltered & loaded with interest at the early hour.
We drove quietly passed blueberry, strawberry & asparagus. All neatly rowed along the 45 Lake Michigan Drive. Those crops gave way to corn, soy & hay as we headed east along the 96 into the sunrise.
Some do the Shore to Shore in days or weeks. Ours spanned a single solid grateful year. From June of 2013 to June of 2014.
In that time we have mostly camped & trail ridden with friends but a handful of times solo. We also did a 30mile endurance ride, learned to drive, swam, mounted shoot, penned cows, did our first driving Arena Driving Trial & Show at all these beautiful places between shores...
As far West as Empire
Garry Lake
Alligator Hill
Pigeon Creek
Bass River
Lake Michigan Beach Ride
Local Grand Haven Trails
Rothbury
Muskegon
Silver Creek
Yankee Springs
Ionia
Kalamazoo
As far North as Cheboygan
Wildwood, Indian River
Centrally in
Elsie
Pinckney
Brighton
Onward to
Maybury
Highland
Pontiac Lake
Indian Springs
Kensington
Proud Lake
Elba
Metamora
And today as far East as Belle Isle, Detroit.
Beyond the Michigan Mitten we drove Huntington, Indiana & rode solo in Salamonie State Forest Wabash, Indiana & by the skin of our teeth made it to Cook Forest, Pennsylvania.
We have ridden & driven.
We have excelled at time spent in communion & begun adding time spent in practice trying to develop skill.
We have benefited from a Derby & built another to benefit others.
We have come a long way.
We have alot further to go.
But today, on Summer's Solstice completing our own Shore to Shore, we were the training horse for the young nervous racey type. Today was our first pony sitting as we prepare for our first parade, we gave some calm company among over a hundred riders on the Isle. While I didn't make it to the Island I had intended this year, we did make it to an Island! And how proud I was of her behavior along the trail letting kids pet her, moving through the spooks, leading fearful horses through water & then falling fast asleep tied to a tree. I left her in the grasses of Metamora where she was clearly grateful.
Soon we will be riding & driving in the shadows of greatness. Lighting our own way. Where competitors raced we will walk. Because even though our Shore to Shore looks a bit different, took us a lot longer, it is the perfect speed for us.
For those who have joined us on the trail or helped us along the way...Thank you.
Ps Idunn even got to visit James' backyard for a brief grazing session as I unloaded feline & canine. What an adaptable good natured pony...so long as there is grass, direction & gratitude!
943.101 Miles June 2013 - June 2014
6-23-2014
ReplyDeleteMetamora
2.72
Solo
6-24-2014
Metamora
4.54
Solo
Preparing for driving trails & hazards by riding them. You never know...might be in a CDE someday!
Glad your pony is getting better!!!
6-25-2014
ReplyDeleteMetamora
3.13
First Woods Drive SOLO
Wilson came too :)
6-26-2014
ReplyDeleteMetamora
4.76
Second day alot more relaxed & a little faster!
How I love my pony :)
W came too!
6-27-2014
ReplyDeleteMetamora-S
5.41
Somebody is trotting now :)
6-28-2014
ReplyDeleteFIRST FAMILY DRIVE!!!
Jamesey, Wilson & Idunn
Metamora
2.72
7-4-2014
ReplyDeleteSL
3.73
Fireworks & Family
7-6-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington-S
3.67
Through insecurities & Huron River Solo with Kayakers!
My horse ROCKS!
Correction 7-7-2014
ReplyDelete7-9-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington 96 Loop
11.26
Congrats on getting over 200 miles :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your work with the DD :)
7-10-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington
5.51
Rach Riding
1.99
Trying to develop collected trot
7-16-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - S
2
7-17-2014
ReplyDelete2.42
GH
7-18-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - S
2.51
7-19-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - Wilson, Idunn & my first Westside Drive!!!
3.77
Ride
3.36
7-20-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - S
2.82 Ride
2.42 Drive
7-21-2014
ReplyDeleteGH
6.27
7-22-2014
ReplyDeleteGH
2.27
3.48
1.49
7-23-2014
3.19
Hey Diane, my total should be 274.84.
Just want to see if we are on the same page :)
7-24-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - Leading the Kids
2.45
CART RIDE
4.53
7-25-2014
ReplyDeleteCoopersville - TP First Time
1.12
7-26-2014
ReplyDeleteGH - Parade
1.02
7-26-2014
DeleteCoopersville Train Robbery
.6
YTD
ReplyDelete284.56
7/29/2014
ReplyDeleteGH - Leading Novice
3.25
YTD 287.81
7/30/2014
ReplyDeleteGH - J & W
1.67 Drove
YTD 289.48
8/1/2014
ReplyDeleteGH
2.74
YTD 292.22
8-5-2014
ReplyDeleteLast Ride @ GH Farm
2.33
YTD 294.55
8-6-2014
ReplyDeleteFirst Dune Ride CV
5.96
YTD 300.51
8-7-2014
ReplyDeleteAround CO Property & Pond
3.74
YTD 304.25
8-7-2014
ReplyDeleteMDD Group Ride Westside
Bass River
5.83
YTD 310.08
congrats on getting over 300 miles :-)
ReplyDelete8-8-2014
ReplyDeleteW/J 1
CV
1.44
YTD 311.52
Thank you Diane!
ReplyDeleteNot as many as last year but far more leading!
As always, Thank for all you do!
8-8-2014
ReplyDeleteMoonlight Dune Ride
CV
5.23
YTD 316.75
8-9-2014
ReplyDeleteW/J 2
CV
1.23
YTD 317.98
8-13-2014
ReplyDeleteCV L/E
.3
YTD 318.28
8-14-2014
ReplyDeleteCV - W/J 3
1.15
YTD 319.43
8-14-2014
ReplyDeleteCV
1.96
YTD 321.39
8-17-2014
ReplyDeleteCV
1.43 S
2.53
1.53 S
.48 A
YTD 327.26
Correction
ReplyDeleteYTD 327.36
8-2/8-3-2914
ReplyDeleteSister in law & Nephew ride Idunn
8-11/8-12-2014
Neices ride Idunn
8-18-2014
ReplyDeleteBass River
4.58
YTD 331.94
8-19-2014
ReplyDeleteCV
2.54
YTD 334.48
8-20-2014
ReplyDeletePigeon Creek Weeeeee!
& Bass River Bareback Swimming!
6.32
YTD 340.80
8-21-2014
ReplyDeleteCV
2.18
YTD 342.98
8-25-2014
ReplyDeleteCV
1.29
YTD 344.27
8-27-2014
ReplyDeleteSilver Creek - Heaven!
12.33
YTD 356.6
8-28-2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville Farm & Bass River
8.54
YTD 365.14
8-29-2014
ReplyDeleteCV
1.41
YTD 366.55
8-30-2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville Group Drive
3.57
YTD 370.12
9-1-2014
ReplyDeleteCV -S (Trot 60%)
2.13
YTD 372.25
9-2-2014
ReplyDeleteCV - T/S
3.01
YTD 375.26
9-6-2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville Farm & Bass River
7.74
60% Trot
YTD 383
9-7-2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville Farm
8.77
(70% Trot 10% Lope & 20% Walk)
CV (Walk)
1.96
Total 10.73
YTD 393.73
9-8-2014
DeleteEastmanville Farm Lead Trot
7.5
Bass River Swim
1.48
Total 8.98
YTD 402.71
9-9-2014
DeleteEastmanville Farm Lead Group of 5
4.03
YTD 406.74
Congrats on getting over 400 miles :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane!!!
ReplyDelete9-13-2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville Farm Lope & Bass River Trot & Swim
12.85
YTD 419.59
9-13-2014
ReplyDeletePines Point Manistee National Forest
11.74
YTD 431.33
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete9-16-2014
ReplyDelete3.13
CV-T\S
YTD 434.46
9-22-2014
ReplyDelete1.3
CV - FAMILY Walk Wilson heels all the way home :)
YTD 435.76
9-23-2014
ReplyDeleteCV - Family Walk; Wilson off leash awesome until we stop then he bolts back.
After Idunn got her feet & teeth done :)
MDD Gear in too!
Good Day!
YTD 437.07
9-24-2014
ReplyDeleteSilver Creek
Love It
7.87
YTD 444.94
9-25-2014
ReplyDeleteYankee Springs
9.39
YTD 454.33
9-26-2014
ReplyDeleteCV - S Singing In The Saddle
2.30
YTD 456.63
9-27-2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville & Bass River
6.5
YTD 463.13
9-28-2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville - S
6.1
YTD 469.23
10-4-2014
ReplyDeleteSilver Creek
Rain, Hail & Holy Horse Poop Run
13.58
YTD 482.81
10-7-3014
ReplyDeleteCV
3.23
YTD 486.04
10-8-2014
ReplyDeleteSilver Creek (Blue & Part of Pink/Prep for OLR)
13.69
YTD 499.73
10-11-2014
ReplyDeleteOak Leaf Run - Silver Creek
Competitive Trail Ride
33.07
YTD 532.80
10-12-2014
ReplyDeleteOLR Solo Picking Up Trail Markers
Silver Creek
8.23
YTD 541.03
Congrats on getting over 500 miles :-) Cool that is was at a CTR!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane! We had a blast!
ReplyDelete10-15-2014
ReplyDeleteYankee Springs
10.05
YTD 551.08
10-16-2014
ReplyDeleteHungerford
Trail 24 right off the map
12.90
YTD 563.98
10-17-2014
ReplyDeleteIonia
Happy Birthday/Anniversary Idunn!
12.41
YTD 576.39
10-27-2014
ReplyDeleteAfter too too long away!
CV -S/T/N Both Ponds
4 Miles
4.14 Miles
Total 8.14
YTD 584.53
10-28-2014
ReplyDeleteCV-T/S
Windy
4.01
YTD 588.54
11/1/2014
ReplyDeleteEastmanville -S/S
Night Riding
12.08
YTD 600.62
11-3-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington
4.01
YTD 604.63
11-5-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington
6.4
YTD 611.03
11-7-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington
7.3
YTD 618.33
11-8-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington (MDD/GLDD Group Ride)
12.05
YTD 630.38
11-9-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Yellow
9.56
YTD 639.94
11-10-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Blue to bench & River
8.70
YTD 648.64
11-11-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Orange & River -S
3.89
YTD 652.53
11-12-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Blue To Cows
5.55
YTD 658.08
Correction 11-13-2014
ReplyDeleteFor Above Ride
11-14-2014
Kensington - Orange To Buno
5.97
YTD 664.05
11-15-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Blue to Louis with a run
9.16
YTD 673.21
11-21-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Buno To Fork
3.74
YTD 676.95
11-23-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington Blue to Run
8.17
YTD 685.12
11-28-2014
ReplyDeleteTesting my sick baby
Rach (Lesson/Drill)
4.49
YTD 689.61
11-29-2014
ReplyDeleteTest #2 Weak but not lethargic
Kensington Blue to Pumpkin & Red
5.63
YTD 695.24
11-30-2014
ReplyDeleteTest #3 Not motivated but walk back told me she felt just fine :) Still keeping to walk. Will introduce trot later this week.
6.55
YTD 701.79
700 Baby!
Might even make goal of 750 for the year!!!
Congrats on getting your 700 miles!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane!
ReplyDelete12-3-2014
Kensington - Blue To Farm Loop To Red
6.67
YTD 708.46
12-5-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Red
3.37
YTD 711.83
12-7-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Blue To Cows To Red
8.60
YTD 720.43
Solo :)
ReplyDelete12-10-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Red to Drink
3.36
YTD 723.79
Solo
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete12-11-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Red Drink (S)
4.89
YTD 728.68
12-12-2014
ReplyDeleteRach Lesson No Stirrups & Drill Team
4.36
YTD 733.04
12-13-2014
ReplyDeleteFirst Recital with Drill Team
AMAZING
.89
YTD 733.93
12-14-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Drink Red & Blue
12.63
Trotting again
YTD 746.56
12-18-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Drink Red
4.39
YTD 750.95
12-19-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington - Blue to Pumpkin
6.11
YTD 757.06
12-21-2012
ReplyDeleteKensington - Blue & Red
9.97
YTD 767.03
12-25-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington Family Walk
1.89
YTD 768.92
12-26-2014
ReplyDeleteRach Two Point
3.85
YTD 772.77
12-26-2014
ReplyDeleteHighland
5.62
YTD 778.39
12-29-2014
ReplyDeleteKensington
Exhausted from work,
didn't plan to ride but couldn't resist :)
ONE OF BEST RIDES EVER
SOLO; STIRRUPLESS;
JOYOUS TROTTING SMILES
SURPRISINGLY AWESOME
WAY TO END AN AMAZING 2014
3.62
YTD 782.01
CORRECTED TOTAL MILEAGE
ReplyDeleteYTD 762.08
Still over our 750 Goal :)