Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Team 102 - Grace *



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

142 comments:

  1. 1-3-2014
    FIRST 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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yay! 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!

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  4. 1-4-2014
    Yesterday'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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 1-5-2014
    SNOWMAGGEDON!!!
    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!

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1-31-2014
    Starting 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. I haven't heard from Kirk except about the Super Bowl how much snow do you still have there?

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  8. 2-18-2014
    Indian 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

    ReplyDelete
  9. Haven't been able to input via smart phone.
    Feel 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

    ReplyDelete
  10. 4/2/2014
    Lesson (Miles Not Recorded)
    3.12
    Ruggles Ranch Over Branches
    Fabulous!
    YTD 19.74

    ReplyDelete
  11. 4-6-2014
    3.5 Miles
    New Lake Trail to Road to apparently always been there connector LOL!
    Learn something new everyday!
    YTD 23.26 Miles

    ReplyDelete
  12. 4-7-2014
    1.60 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

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  13. 4-9-2014
    Brighton 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

    ReplyDelete
  14. 4-17-2014
    Lesson
    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!

    ReplyDelete
  15. 4-21-2014
    Nelsons Arena
    .77
    YTD 51.57

    Working on neck reining

    ReplyDelete
  16. 4-22-2014
    Indian 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!

    ReplyDelete
  17. 4-26-2014
    Metamora Windrush Farm
    Driving Did Not Track Miles
    Riding North Trail 2.25 Miles
    YTD 56.84

    ReplyDelete
  18. 4-30-2014
    Rach Riding Lesson
    Cones
    Using Hindend
    Neck Reining
    .72 Miles

    Ruggles
    2.19 Miles
    Neck Rein Non Dominant Hand
    YTD 59.75

    ReplyDelete
  19. Testing...Haven't been able to enter my miles due to some tech glitch. Have new phone now & hoping this works :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yay! Count whatever is countable :)

    5/10/2014
    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

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  21. 6-19-2014
    GH - New Trails!!! Yippee!!! With Creek!
    5.44

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  22. 6-21-2014
    Belle 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

    ReplyDelete
  23. 6-23-2014
    Metamora
    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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. 6-25-2014
    Metamora
    3.13
    First Woods Drive SOLO
    Wilson came too :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. 6-26-2014
    Metamora
    4.76
    Second day alot more relaxed & a little faster!
    How I love my pony :)
    W came too!

    ReplyDelete
  26. 6-27-2014
    Metamora-S
    5.41
    Somebody is trotting now :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. 6-28-2014
    FIRST FAMILY DRIVE!!!
    Jamesey, Wilson & Idunn
    Metamora
    2.72

    ReplyDelete
  28. 7-6-2014
    Kensington-S
    3.67
    Through insecurities & Huron River Solo with Kayakers!
    My horse ROCKS!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Congrats on getting over 200 miles :-)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you Diane!
    Thanks for all your work with the DD :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. 7-10-2014
    Kensington
    5.51
    Rach Riding
    1.99
    Trying to develop collected trot

    ReplyDelete
  32. 7-19-2014
    GH - Wilson, Idunn & my first Westside Drive!!!
    3.77

    Ride
    3.36

    ReplyDelete
  33. 7-20-2014
    GH - S
    2.82 Ride
    2.42 Drive

    ReplyDelete
  34. 7-22-2014
    GH
    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. 7-24-2014
    GH - Leading the Kids
    2.45
    CART RIDE
    4.53

    ReplyDelete
  36. 7-25-2014
    Coopersville - TP First Time
    1.12

    ReplyDelete
  37. 7/29/2014
    GH - Leading Novice
    3.25
    YTD 287.81

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  38. 7/30/2014
    GH - J & W
    1.67 Drove
    YTD 289.48

    ReplyDelete
  39. 8-5-2014
    Last Ride @ GH Farm
    2.33
    YTD 294.55

    ReplyDelete
  40. 8-6-2014
    First Dune Ride CV
    5.96
    YTD 300.51

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  41. 8-7-2014
    Around CO Property & Pond
    3.74
    YTD 304.25

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  42. 8-7-2014
    MDD Group Ride Westside
    Bass River
    5.83
    YTD 310.08

    ReplyDelete
  43. congrats on getting over 300 miles :-)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thank you Diane!
    Not as many as last year but far more leading!
    As always, Thank for all you do!

    ReplyDelete
  45. 8-8-2014
    Moonlight Dune Ride
    CV
    5.23
    YTD 316.75

    ReplyDelete
  46. 8-17-2014
    CV
    1.43 S
    2.53
    1.53 S
    .48 A
    YTD 327.26

    ReplyDelete
  47. 8-2/8-3-2914
    Sister in law & Nephew ride Idunn
    8-11/8-12-2014
    Neices ride Idunn

    ReplyDelete
  48. 8-20-2014
    Pigeon Creek Weeeeee!
    & Bass River Bareback Swimming!
    6.32
    YTD 340.80

    ReplyDelete
  49. 8-27-2014
    Silver Creek - Heaven!
    12.33
    YTD 356.6

    ReplyDelete
  50. 8-28-2014
    Eastmanville Farm & Bass River
    8.54
    YTD 365.14

    ReplyDelete
  51. 8-30-2014
    Eastmanville Group Drive
    3.57
    YTD 370.12

    ReplyDelete
  52. 9-1-2014
    CV -S (Trot 60%)
    2.13
    YTD 372.25

    ReplyDelete
  53. 9-6-2014
    Eastmanville Farm & Bass River
    7.74
    60% Trot
    YTD 383

    ReplyDelete
  54. 9-7-2014
    Eastmanville Farm
    8.77
    (70% Trot 10% Lope & 20% Walk)
    CV (Walk)
    1.96
    Total 10.73
    YTD 393.73

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 9-8-2014
      Eastmanville Farm Lead Trot
      7.5
      Bass River Swim
      1.48
      Total 8.98
      YTD 402.71

      Delete
    2. 9-9-2014
      Eastmanville Farm Lead Group of 5
      4.03
      YTD 406.74

      Delete
  55. Congrats on getting over 400 miles :-)

    ReplyDelete
  56. 9-13-2014
    Eastmanville Farm Lope & Bass River Trot & Swim
    12.85
    YTD 419.59

    ReplyDelete
  57. 9-13-2014
    Pines Point Manistee National Forest
    11.74
    YTD 431.33

    ReplyDelete
  58. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  59. 9-22-2014
    1.3
    CV - FAMILY Walk Wilson heels all the way home :)
    YTD 435.76

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  60. 9-23-2014
    CV - 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

    ReplyDelete
  61. 9-24-2014
    Silver Creek
    Love It
    7.87
    YTD 444.94

    ReplyDelete
  62. 9-26-2014
    CV - S Singing In The Saddle
    2.30
    YTD 456.63

    ReplyDelete
  63. 9-27-2014
    Eastmanville & Bass River
    6.5
    YTD 463.13

    ReplyDelete
  64. 9-28-2014
    Eastmanville - S
    6.1
    YTD 469.23

    ReplyDelete
  65. 10-4-2014
    Silver Creek
    Rain, Hail & Holy Horse Poop Run
    13.58
    YTD 482.81

    ReplyDelete
  66. 10-8-2014
    Silver Creek (Blue & Part of Pink/Prep for OLR)
    13.69
    YTD 499.73

    ReplyDelete
  67. 10-11-2014
    Oak Leaf Run - Silver Creek
    Competitive Trail Ride
    33.07
    YTD 532.80

    ReplyDelete
  68. 10-12-2014
    OLR Solo Picking Up Trail Markers
    Silver Creek
    8.23
    YTD 541.03

    ReplyDelete
  69. Congrats on getting over 500 miles :-) Cool that is was at a CTR!

    ReplyDelete
  70. 10-15-2014
    Yankee Springs
    10.05
    YTD 551.08

    ReplyDelete
  71. 10-16-2014
    Hungerford
    Trail 24 right off the map
    12.90
    YTD 563.98

    ReplyDelete
  72. 10-17-2014
    Ionia
    Happy Birthday/Anniversary Idunn!
    12.41
    YTD 576.39

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  73. 10-27-2014
    After too too long away!
    CV -S/T/N Both Ponds
    4 Miles
    4.14 Miles
    Total 8.14
    YTD 584.53

    ReplyDelete
  74. 11/1/2014
    Eastmanville -S/S
    Night Riding
    12.08
    YTD 600.62

    ReplyDelete
  75. 11-8-2014
    Kensington (MDD/GLDD Group Ride)
    12.05
    YTD 630.38

    ReplyDelete
  76. 11-9-2014
    Kensington - Yellow
    9.56
    YTD 639.94

    ReplyDelete
  77. 11-10-2014
    Kensington - Blue to bench & River
    8.70
    YTD 648.64

    ReplyDelete
  78. 11-11-2014
    Kensington - Orange & River -S
    3.89
    YTD 652.53

    ReplyDelete
  79. 11-12-2014
    Kensington - Blue To Cows
    5.55
    YTD 658.08

    ReplyDelete
  80. Correction 11-13-2014
    For Above Ride

    11-14-2014
    Kensington - Orange To Buno
    5.97
    YTD 664.05

    ReplyDelete
  81. 11-15-2014
    Kensington - Blue to Louis with a run
    9.16
    YTD 673.21

    ReplyDelete
  82. 11-21-2014
    Kensington - Buno To Fork
    3.74
    YTD 676.95

    ReplyDelete
  83. 11-23-2014
    Kensington Blue to Run
    8.17
    YTD 685.12

    ReplyDelete
  84. 11-28-2014
    Testing my sick baby
    Rach (Lesson/Drill)
    4.49
    YTD 689.61

    ReplyDelete
  85. 11-29-2014
    Test #2 Weak but not lethargic
    Kensington Blue to Pumpkin & Red
    5.63
    YTD 695.24

    ReplyDelete
  86. 11-30-2014
    Test #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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Congrats on getting your 700 miles!!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Thanks Diane!

    12-3-2014
    Kensington - Blue To Farm Loop To Red
    6.67
    YTD 708.46

    ReplyDelete
  89. 12-5-2014
    Kensington - Red
    3.37
    YTD 711.83

    ReplyDelete
  90. 12-7-2014
    Kensington - Blue To Cows To Red
    8.60
    YTD 720.43

    ReplyDelete
  91. 12-10-2014
    Kensington - Red to Drink
    3.36
    YTD 723.79

    ReplyDelete
  92. 12-11-2014
    Kensington - Red Drink (S)
    4.89
    YTD 728.68

    ReplyDelete
  93. 12-12-2014
    Rach Lesson No Stirrups & Drill Team
    4.36
    YTD 733.04

    ReplyDelete
  94. 12-13-2014
    First Recital with Drill Team
    AMAZING
    .89
    YTD 733.93

    ReplyDelete
  95. 12-14-2014
    Kensington - Drink Red & Blue
    12.63
    Trotting again
    YTD 746.56

    ReplyDelete
  96. 12-18-2014
    Kensington - Drink Red
    4.39
    YTD 750.95

    ReplyDelete
  97. 12-19-2014
    Kensington - Blue to Pumpkin
    6.11
    YTD 757.06

    ReplyDelete
  98. 12-21-2012
    Kensington - Blue & Red
    9.97
    YTD 767.03

    ReplyDelete
  99. 12-25-2014
    Kensington Family Walk
    1.89
    YTD 768.92

    ReplyDelete
  100. 12-26-2014
    Rach Two Point
    3.85
    YTD 772.77

    ReplyDelete
  101. 12-29-2014
    Kensington
    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

    ReplyDelete
  102. CORRECTED TOTAL MILEAGE
    YTD 762.08
    Still over our 750 Goal :)

    ReplyDelete