Sunday, January 19, 2014

Team 132 - fxhtr Smith




Hi, I would like to join the distance Derby.  My name is Helen Smith, my sport with horses is fox hunting from September to April, and then whatever is fun for the rest of the year.  I have four horses, two that mostly foxhunt and two that mostly trailride. Saturday I rode 9.3 miles, and Sunday I rode 10.5 miles (moving avg 5.3 mph, and top speed just 19.5 mph (very icy under hoof)).  Team name could be "fxhtr Smith". Thanks, Helen.

151 comments:

  1. Persia fixture Saturday Jan 25
    7.57 miles
    Very cold and windy

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  2. Wow, I finally got this to publish. Yeah:-)

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  3. Date 13feb14
    Horse Fernilee
    Distance 5.57 miles
    Avg speed 4.7 mph
    Top speed 21.3 mph
    Comments: fernilee was as keen to go for a ride as I was - but it made for an "interesting ride" :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Date 16feb14
    Horse Cam (& Sasha beside)
    Distance 5.97 miles
    Avg speed 4.75 mph
    Top speed 17.9 mph
    Time 75 main
    Comments: Cam was her usual cool confident self, which was good, as Sasha had way too much energy. A mile of trotting settled her down:-)

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  5. Date 17feb14
    Horse Sasha
    Distance 0.91 miles
    Comments: just a quick bareback ride after doing chores. Some slow arena work around the tree.

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  6. Date 18feb14
    Horse Fernilee
    Distance 1.19 miles
    Avg 4.0 mpg
    Comments: just some slow schooling round the tree in the yard, for 18 minutes.
    Total to date: 41.01 miles

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  7. Date 22feb14
    Horse Sasha
    Distance 2.20 miles
    Comments: some more schooling, and centred riding, round the tree. The ring was still too soft too ride in. Sasaha got in soft soft transitions, and some lateral flexibility. Yeah.

    Horse Fernilee
    Distance 3.29 miles
    Avg spd 5.62 mph
    Top spd 27.6 mph
    Comments: just trying to get the horses worked before heading out to watch the state dance team competition. Fernilee was very soft and good for practising CR, she had some really soft canter departs, so lovely that I rewarded her with a gallop down the road. The moisture has made the surface a little more forgiving.

    Total miles today 5.49 miles
    Miles to date 46.5 miles

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  8. Date 8 mar 14
    Horse Camilla (& ponying Fernilee)
    Distance 8.34 miles
    Avg spd 4.23 mph
    Comments: how wonderful to be out riding again. We did a slow hack through Memphis (ne), and the through the state park. Fernilee was a pushy brat, but Can was her her super-pony self. They just needed the edge off before hunting on Sunday.

    Total mile to date 54.84

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  9. Date 9mar14
    Horse Camilla
    Distance 13.15 miles
    Avg moving speed 5.2 mph
    Top speed 23.8 mph

    Comments Samantha was sick so I took the easy way out and took Cam foxhunting - always a treat :-) thank goodness for the studs in her shoes, it was pretty icy.

    Miles to date 67.99

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  10. Date : 13mar14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 2.14 miles
    Moving avg: 4.2

    Comments: how incredible to be able to ride in the evening. Just a very short ride, but I just couldn't not ride. Managed to keep Fernilee in a walk (well sort of!).

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  11. Date: 14mar14
    Horse: Camilla
    Distance: 2.47 miles
    Avg speed: 3.38 mph

    Comments: we went up and checked out the burnt ground. There is a fire still burning in the woods. All the fences were down so we could go right to the woods .

    Miles to date: 74.66

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  12. Replies
    1. OK. I will use this number. I am fairly bad at simple math.

      Delete
  13. 15mar14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 11.14 miles
    Avg speed: 4.7 mph
    Top speed: 36.5 mph !!! (Fastest ever)
    Comments: hunted from the kennels today. The hounds didn't find anything, but Tyce bought out the M puppies, and they stayed right with the adult hounds. Fernilee was very rambunctious-she needs more work. When Tyce challenged us, she was more than game. She should have been a TB.

    YTD: 83.74

    ReplyDelete
  14. 16mar14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 6.63 miles
    Avg speed: 4.25 mph

    Comments: Finally it was time for Sasha to get out for a decent ride. We started in the ring, practiced some CR, she is starting to get it:-) Did a few jumps (I had forgotten how well she jumps), and then went for a ride with Tonya. Checked out the burnt ground from the East side - the farmers and firefighters did an amazing job containing the spread. Sasha was awesome.

    YTD: 90.37 miles.

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  15. 17mar14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 1.46 miles
    Avg speed: 4.75 mph

    Comments: by the time I had chilled enough to ride, it was dark, but it was too nice to miss riding. No worries - turn the switches and voilà, light in my outside ring. Still quite the novelty:-) Fernilee was wonderfully soft, responsive and powerful. Quite the trip. Goal is to break 100 miles by Sunday.

    YTD: 91.83 miles

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  16. 20mar14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 1.54 miles
    Comments: just some arena work. She is starting to soften through the circles, particularly to the left. Still resistance to the right.
    YTD: 93.37

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  17. 22mar14
    Horse: Camilla (& ponying Sasha)
    Distance: 4.54 miles
    Avg speed: 5.06 mph
    Comments: a very brisk ride down the road. We went in the hunt club which cut the wind. I trotted the girls home - something I normally never do, but wow that wind was cold.
    YTD: 97.91 miles

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  18. 23mar14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Foxhunting from the kennels.
    Distance: 11.88 miles
    Avg speed: 4.75 mph
    Comments: the intention was to take Sasha out today, but as fernilee didn't get to go yesterday, Nancy and switched, so I whipped and she rode in the field. Fernilee was very happy to go hunting, she was great ( well most of the time).
    YTD: 109.79 miles :)

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  19. Congrats on getting over 100 miles :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, its amazing how the miles add up.:-)

      Delete
  20. 29mar14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Hack around Memphis state park
    Distance: 9.49 miles
    Avg speed: 5.4 mph
    Top speed: 36.0 mph (!!)
    Comments: the fences are gone now so we could take our usual route to the park. Tonya had a great canter going on Logan in the bean field, so I let Fernilee out and then asked her for more speed, wow what a trip :-) she has gained back her fitness. When we got home she was still a handful, so we did some arena worked and jumped. I think she really was just wanting to jump, she settled down as soon as we started jumping. Funny horse!
    Total miles to date: 119.28

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  21. 29mar14
    Horse: Sasha
    Arena work and jumping
    Distance: 3.84 miles
    Avg speed: 5.6 mph
    Comments: Sasha was a little stiff in the circles ( though some of this may be just after riding Fernilee), she is getting better each time though. We did some breathing walks and trots, and these got very responsive, we breathed into canter too and got the correct lead every time. Jumping was OK, thee dogs got her a little fouled as twice in a row on the same ugly jump they walked in front as she was coming. She did have a try at a buck, but I managed to drag her head up before she got started. Then went for a spin round the bean field, she got a nice canter going, but I didn't push her faster, so she stayed happy.
    Total miles to date : 123.12

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  22. 30mar14
    Horse: Sasha
    Hack across the fields up to A and back around by the min maint
    Distance: 6.61 miles
    Avg speed: 4.9 mph
    Comments: Sasha was ready to go today. She was ouchy from the girth yesterday - she is very wingey about pain, not a very tough horse! We played with the area while brushing and I gave her time to adjust while tightening the girth. She was good out riding, just not when we were standing talking to the neighbour.
    Total miles to date: 129.73 miles

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  23. 30mar14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Samantha rode Cam and we went along the field track by the creek
    Distance: 4.96 miles
    Avg speed: 4.9 mph
    Top speed: 30.5 mph
    Comments: Camilla and Sam were dawdling along and not looking very thrilled, but it's burwell weekend next week so they both need to get out! Sam told me to go faster so we start in a canter, I look back at Camilla and her ears are flat, her neck is out and she and Sam are looking to pass Fernilee - not going to happen kid! We finally stopped at the bridge, and cam looks much happier, she needed the gallop:-) we walked (briskly) all the way home.
    Total miles to date: 134.69

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  24. 1apr14
    Horse: the awesome Camilla
    Distance: 2.61 miles
    Avg speed: 3.8 mph
    Comments: Tonya really wanted to get out this evening. It's great to have a riding buddy that pushes you out on a cold evening :-) we managed a short ride before we lost the light. Went up through the burnt area, and found a way through the deep ditch, and through the remaining brush. Very fun.
    Total miles to date: 137.30 miles

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  25. 5apr13
    Day one of spring hunt in Burwell
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 8.93 miles
    Avg moving speed 5.2 mph
    Comments: we ended up on the inside and the coyote went away from Fernilee and I, so we missed the good run. Samantha was on the awesome Camilla, and had fun in the small field. The upside is that I have lots of horse left for day 2.
    Total miles to date : 146.23 miles

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  26. apr14
    Day two of spring hunt in burwell
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 13.5 miles
    Avg moving speed: 5.3 mph
    Comments: Sam and Cam rode with me today as staff. Glad she did , the first thing we ran into was a her of momma cows and their very young calves. The awesome Cam just quietly went along the fence giving the cows rooms to move away, I had to push Fernilee to stay up close. The rest of the hunt went fine. The hounds had a good run, once again I was on the wrong side, no worries all good riding. Last hunt of the season though :-( time to catch up on schooling and doing other more sedate activities with the horses.
    Total miles to date: 159.73

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  27. 11apr14
    Horse: Sasha
    Quiet ride along the creek
    Distance: 3.71 miles
    Avg speed: 3.7 mph
    Comments: rode with Tonya and her niece so we just walked ( well Sasha walked and the others jogged a little to keep up with her walk). Sasha was really good and relaxed, even went through mud.
    Total miles to date: 163.44

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  28. 12apr14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 8.05 miles
    Avg speed: 3.7 mph
    Comments: again we rode with Tonya and her nice so we just walked. We went up in the south field and looked at how green the burnt crp land is. Izzy wanted to ride down by the creek, so we took her old horse home and got Cam out for her. A good reminder of why Cam is irreplaceable. Foxhunting one weekend and packing a small beginner the next:-)
    Total miles to date: 171.49 miles.

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  29. 12apr14
    horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 3.05 miles
    Avg speed: 5.0 mph
    Comments: just some ring work;, had intended to take my daughter shopping, but she said it was too late! Yeah, now I can ride. Worked on CR stuff, breathing, relaxed face & jaw, springy joints. Fernilee was moderate, she needs some slower work after the hunt season to bring her back to be softer and more relaxed.
    Total miles to date: 174.54

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  30. 14apr14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 4.88 miles
    Avg speed: 8.0 mph before the last 1/2 mile, then 7.6 overall
    Comments: wow, glad I got to ride her Saturday, yesterday was yucky! Today we just went west on the min maintenance. I decided to just trot her until she relaxed, then walk a little, canter on 9, then turn back, walk to settle her and then trot back, all but the last half mile. It worked! She was still a powerhouse trotting back, but controlled, and then did a flat footed walk the last half mile home. She came home relaxed and soft, and hardly sweaty:-)
    Total miles to date: 179.42 miles

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  31. 17apr14
    Horse: Cam & ponying Sasha
    Distance: 3.61 miles
    Moving avg: 3.8 mph
    Comments: just a short evening ride down the road. Cam still felt a little tired from burwell, but she loosened up, and her trot improved. Sasha was really good.
    Miles to date: 183.03 miles

    ReplyDelete
  32. 21apr14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 2.93 miles

    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 2.43 miles

    Comments: rode Sasha with Tonya down the road. Lost the dog so went out with Fernilee to find her! No worries, she was not far away.

    Miles to date: 188.39 miles

    ReplyDelete
  33. 22apr14
    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 0.29
    Comments: first time playing in about 3 months. He is not quite fully sound yet, but was happy to to a little ground work, & then I rode around the field bareback for 5 minutes or so. Good boy!

    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 5.76 miles
    Comments: lovely ride by the creek. Lots of trot, avg SPD 4.4 mph

    Miles to date: 194.44 miles

    ReplyDelete
  34. Date: 24apr14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 5.89 miles

    Comments: Centered riding clinic at Brenda's with carol Wilson. Fernilee and I both got more Centered and relaxed. She is so cool to ride like that, massively powerful, and completely responsive and soft:-)

    Miles to date: 200.33 miles

    ReplyDelete
  35. 25apr14
    Horse (pony): Jessie
    Distance: 0.65 miles ( twice as far as day 1!)

    Comments: did a little more ground work and a little more riding. He did great. Still turning mostly to the right to avoid loading the left fore, but he is enjoying the attention. He has a great little trot for bareback riding:-)

    Miles to date: 200.98 miles

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  36. 25apr14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 3.69 miles
    Avg spd: 5.2mph

    Comments: getting a ride in after doing TTouch clinic at Brenda's. Practising the CR stuff from yesterday: hanging from a hook (to keep centre down and back), letting energy from movement of seatbone to travel up back to top of head. Really helped relax Cam. All the fields planted, going to have to stay on roads :-(

    Miles to date: 204.67

    ReplyDelete
  37. 26apr14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 1.56 miles

    Comments: first under saddle day for Sasha at the CR clinic at Brenda's. She was a bit overwhelmed, carol coached us through some ground exercises, and then we did the same under saddle, Sasha came through :-) I kept my centre very low and back and connected to the horses centre - the effect was incredible. We did a lot of serpentine and circles, and Sasha figured it all out and dropped into a very round, very soft frame. I knew it was there, we just hadn't put it together before. Not many miles (I am not sure I believe the GPS!), but a very mindful experience.

    Miles to date: 206.23

    ReplyDelete
  38. 26apr14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 3.97 miles
    Avg spd: 4.9 mph
    Comments: just a ride around the section with Tonya before dark.

    Miles to date: 210.20 miles

    ReplyDelete
  39. Replies
    1. Thanks. And thank you for doing the distance derby. I am having a lot of fun with this, and rode with two dders this weekend :-)

      Delete
  40. 26apr14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 3.08 miles
    Avg spd: 4.1 mph
    Comments: second day of the CR clinic at Brenda's. Sasha was more relaxed than yesterday, and got into staying with me much faster. We continued from yesterday. Today we did much more on a long rein, and she was able to stretch down.
    Miles to date: 213.28 miles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, got the date wrong. This was 27apr14.

      Delete
  41. 28apr14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 2.16 miles
    Comments: just a short ride down the road. Getting tough to fit in rides around the end of school activities. Thought about the good stuff from the clinic.

    Miles to date: 215.44 miles

    ReplyDelete
  42. 29apr14
    Fernilee
    Distance: 1.88 miles
    Comments: early morning ride before work. Not quite the quiet ride intended, but it got there, finally.

    03may14
    Sasha
    Miles: 2.78 miles
    Comments: CR lesson at Brenda's. Our goal was to cement the confident quiet horse that was the result of last weekend. Sasha was great, and was very relaxed.

    03may14
    Horse: fernilee
    Distance: 10.06 miles
    Comments: fernilee started off incredibly quiet, doing a good impression of Sasha! All changed when we turned for home :-( we did some extra ring work to cool down when we got home.

    Miles to date: 230.16

    ReplyDelete
  43. 4may14
    Horse: Sasha
    Miles: 2.64 miles
    Comments: teaching a friends niece, on her first ride on an English saddle. Can wasn't very tolerant of being poked in the sides by gripping heels, so we figured out a way for the kid to relax her legs down. Sasha was very patient though as we walked and trotted round with a crabby Cam!

    4may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Miles: 1.56 miles
    Comments: a quick ride in the ring trying to recapture some softness, and focussing on my centre. Not great to begin with, but finished up in a much better place than yesterday.

    Miles to date: 234.36 miles

    ReplyDelete
  44. 10may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 3.51 miles
    Day 1 of CR clinic at Brenda's. Fernilee was pretty awesome, we did lots of lateral work, including the beginnings of shoulder ~in.

    11may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 3.83 miles
    Day 2 of the CR clinic at Brenda's. We did more shoulder_in, and into canter. Also shoulder_in at trot. Once fernilee got it, she thought she was hot stuff!

    14_may14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 2.95 miles
    Just. A quick ride down the road.

    Total miles to date: 244.65 miles

    ReplyDelete
  45. 15may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 1.29 miles
    Comments: managed a morning ride before work. Did some centred riding practice, and focused on me _ despite the very stiff energetic horse underneath me. 15 minutes later she was soft and relaxed.

    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 2.71 miles
    Avg moving speed: 5.0 mph ( and over half the ride was at walk!)
    Comments: another very energetic horse! Comes from not riding much this past week. She managed the cows and calves on her own reasonably well, better at trot though.

    Total miles to date: 248.65

    ReplyDelete
  46. 16may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 2.86 miles
    Total miles to date: 251.65

    ReplyDelete
  47. 17may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 1.86 miles
    Comments: some arena work. Trying to recreate the connection and softness that we got with carol last week. Better than yesterday.

    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 5.83 miles
    Comments: ride beside the creek out to the dirt road. Cantered the mile down the dirt road, the fat pony was a little sweaty, but not winded, must be still hunting muscles deep underneath!

    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 2.03 miles
    Comments: some arena work, getting much better and more responsive. Still laterally stiff, but did get some nice bend in the circles when she was warmed up.

    Total miles to date: 261.37 miles

    ReplyDelete
  48. 18may14
    Horse: sasha
    Distance: 6.67 miles
    Comments: lovely ride around two rivers with Lisa riding Cam. Trails easy to very tricky, and some jumpable logs. Perfect weather!
    Total miles to date: 268.04 miles

    ReplyDelete
  49. 19may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 4.32 miles
    Avg spd: 4.9mph
    Comments: more arena work with Fernilee trying to find again the softness. Yeah, we finally got it! Needs heavy elbows (which gives light hands), breathing in to low centre, and posting from relaxed knees (which gives moving joints). Fernilee is very good at letting me know when I have it and when I don't.
    Miles to date: 272.36 miles

    ReplyDelete
  50. 21may14
    Horse: Johnny (one of hunts horses)
    Distance: 1.03 miles
    Comments: hunting demo at the Purina presentation at Jeff Strait's. Got to ride johnny who was as cool as the last time I rode him (7 years ago!)

    22may14
    Horse: Cam (& ponied Sasha)
    Distance: 1.84 miles
    Comments: just down the road

    Total miles to date: 275.23 miles

    ReplyDelete
  51. 24may14
    Horse: Sasha (&ponied Cam)
    Distance: 5.86miles
    Comments: down along the creek and back on the other side. Cam was not happy about either going for an exercise ride or being ponied _ 5 miles of flat back ears! The sad troubles of a fat pony.
    Total miles to date: 281.09 miles

    ReplyDelete
  52. 25may14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 10.88 miles
    Avg spd: 4.5 mph
    Comments: Tonya and I had a good ride south of Ashland road, which we had not done before. Lots of cute homesteads and less corn and bean fields.

    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 1.35 miles
    Comments: just a quick ride in the arena before the storm got here

    Total miles to date: 293.32 miles

    ReplyDelete
  53. 26may14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 3.28 miles
    Comments: arena work (again!), doing lots of slow thought out transitions. Got some really soft up transition, and some relatively together downs.

    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 6.14 miles
    Comments: west along the creek, to the main maintenance, and back on the roads.

    Total miles to date: 302.74 miles

    ReplyDelete
  54. Congrats on getting o er 300 miles :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks:-) & thanks for your time doing the DD, it has really helped me get out and ride, and its fun to read the blogs about the rides, both my old rides and the other DDers.

      Delete
  55. 28may14
    Horse: Sasha
    (And Sam was riding Cam)
    Distance: 5.00 miles
    Comments: went to branched oak for the Wednesday night ride, but we were very late, so Sam, Tonya and I were riding in as the ride was coming out. It was a great evening for a ride. We aimed to be back at the trailer for 9pm, & that's exactly what we did.
    Miles to date: 307.74 miles

    ReplyDelete
  56. 30may14
    Horse: Jessie
    Miles: 0 under saddle, bit longed him a little & needed with him a bunch, before going to work. He seems pretty sound on the grass, and ready to start some work.

    Horse: Fernilee
    Miles: 1.35 miles
    Comments: more slow arena work. She is finally feeling much more mellow ( but maybe that was just the heat!). Nice trot and good down transitions from canter.
    Miles to date: 309.09 miles

    ReplyDelete
  57. 31may14
    Horse: Cam (and ponied Sasha)
    Distance: 9.65 miles
    Avg moving speed: 4.6 mph
    Comments: did a two by two section ride to the west of us. Was going to check out 10 north of D, but it was very hot. Cam was already getting very snitty at every turn that didn't head directly home! She is so grumpy about road riding:-)
    Miles to date: 318.74 miles

    ReplyDelete
  58. 31may14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 3.23 miles
    Comments: late afternoon amble down the toad with Tonya and one of her nieces. Sasha does not do ambling very patiently!
    Miles to date: 321.97 miles

    ReplyDelete
  59. 1jun14
    Horse: Sasha (&Sam rode Cam)
    Distance: 7.69 miles
    Comments: we went to Pawnee lake with Nancy. We had never been there before. Great place to go on a hot day. The wind was great off the lake, and there is lots of shade. Horses were all good.
    Miles to date: 329.66 miles

    ReplyDelete
  60. 4jun14
    Horse: Cam (&ponied Sasha)
    Distance: 2.86 miles
    Comments: rode down the road to get some water work done with Sasha. We didn't get to the end of the flood, it was chest deep on Cam, so after about 300 feet along the flooded road, I had enough and turned back. The horses were both good, and neither tried to roll - always a challenge with Cam!
    Miles to date: 332.52 miles

    ReplyDelete
  61. 6jun14
    Horse: Sasha (& Samantha rode Cam)
    Distance: 5.02 miles
    Comments: just a quick ride up the road with Tonya to make sure both horses are sound and good for the weekend. Both seem fine and were very relaxed.
    Mikes to date: 337.54 miles

    ReplyDelete
  62. 7jun14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 5.18 miles
    Comments: CTR clinic at branched oak. Really good fun, and awesome to see Terri on royal, and meet lots of new friends. Sasha was pretty good.
    Miles to date: 342.72 miles

    ReplyDelete
  63. 8jun14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 15.14 miles
    Comments: branching out CTR. Cam did great, she would have done better if I could have stayed calmer at the first two challenges, but the last two were awesome. Got some stuff to work on to be ready for the next one:-)
    Miles to date:357.86 miles

    ReplyDelete
  64. So glad you came and had fun with us! Hope to see you again at a CTR :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Diane, I had a ball. And, it was really good to put faces to names and meet new friends.

      Delete
  65. 9jun14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 2.85
    Comments: played with Fernilee doing some of the challenges. Found out I have no real idea how to cue a side pass! Better fix that. Fernilee got into the challenges and absolutely could nail the backs, and even stayed so quiet that we threw in a halt to canter, and could quietly come back to trot after half a circle (but a big half for a big girl). I think she was enjoying the slow thinking work. We had to mix it up a lot though with transitions to avoid anticipation.
    Distance to date: 360.71

    ReplyDelete
  66. 10jun14
    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 0.56 miles
    Comments: not very far under saddle, we did about 30 minutes playing at ground work. He can now trot in hand. Rode a little bit bareback, in the sidepull bridle. He needs a lot more understanding of turning.
    Miles to date: 361.27 miles

    ReplyDelete
  67. 14jun14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 6.97 miles
    Avg moving spd: 4.2 mph
    Rode around the hunt club and then around the section to the south. Did some challenges! Mostly backup, as she was fussy at first, got much more relaxed, also turns on forehand, and even sidepass ( sort of - but I think we are figuring it out☺), and then backup on the slope on the driveway. She was rushing as we were home, so it seemed just the thing to do.
    Miles to date: 368.24 miles

    ReplyDelete
  68. 14jun14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 4.04 miles
    Comments: I hadn't intended to ride for so long, but we were having fun! I mixed challenges ( can you say obsessed!) Up with transitions. Quiet and waiting was the key. If it started to get tense, i stopped breathed and waited. Sarah is so right! We did backups around jumps, between ground poles, a few walk strides and into canter, softly��. We even got a few good side pass steps, in both directions. And the down transitions were also getting much lighter.
    Miles to date:372.28 miles

    ReplyDelete
  69. 15jun14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 6.21 miles
    Comments: parked in Memphis and rode from there. Nancy's horse lilly isn't very fit, so we didn't go quite where I intended, but we found a new min maintenance road, so all good.
    Miles to date: 378.49 miles

    ReplyDelete
  70. 21jun14
    Horse: Cam (& ponied Sasha)
    Distance: 4.95 miles
    Comments: just getting a quick ride in before being away again. Very humid & very buggy.
    Miles to date: 383.44 miles

    ReplyDelete
  71. 6jul14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 4.44 miles
    Comments: rode in the hunt club, at least there was some shade. Very awesome to be home again. Vacation is lovely, but I really missed riding!
    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 0.49 miles
    Comments: lots of ground work this evening and then rode him bareback. He is coming along well, we even did some trot circles.
    Miles to date: 388.37 miles

    ReplyDelete
  72. 8jul14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 6.31 miles
    Comments: rode in the arena, we were having so much fun I rode for an hour. Did lot of canter work, transitions, trot, lateral, and of course some CTR challenges. The side pass gets a little more coordinated every time.
    Miles to date: 394.68 miles

    ReplyDelete
  73. 10jul14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 1.64 miles
    Comments: we went with riddock for a jog. Cam was happy staying at her slowest trot to stay with him. At the half way point I got off and the idea was to jog home. Cam was game as usual for the odd and different! I managed to jog about a mile ( with some walk in between). Riding is much easier.
    Miles to date: 396.32 miles

    ReplyDelete
  74. 11jul14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 2.89 miles
    Comments: got smart today I rode a horse all the way while Riddock ran
    Miles to date: 399.21 miles

    ReplyDelete
  75. 12jul12
    Horse: Fernilee
    Miles: 2.46 miles
    Comments: lots of transitions, and of course some challenges. Really good.
    Horse: Jessie
    Miles: 1.56miles
    Comments: some good work, and no sign of lameness.
    Miles to date: 403.23 miles

    ReplyDelete
  76. 13jul14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 2.0 miles
    Comments: the goal was 3 miles accompanying Riddock on his run. He was tired and quit running at the half way point. I had already turned for home and was a way down the road before realising he wasn't with me. Had to go back and got off and walked home with him. If I had any other horse he could have ridden, Fernilee was hard work from the ground.
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 5.88 miles
    Comments: went to rawhide creek with the girls from butterflat creek. Went with Sam and Nancy. The creek was really deep_ Cam's belly was way in thee water! Fun time, and then we had a picnic.
    Miles to date: 411.11 miles

    ReplyDelete
  77. Congrats on getting over 400 miles :-)

    ReplyDelete
  78. 14jul14
    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 2.79 miles
    Comments: took Jessie for a ride down the road with Tonya. He was pretty good. His lack of steering came through once, and the walking until asked for something else is a work in progress. We trotted out and walked back, and had a very decent avg speed, 4.2 mph.
    Miles to date: 413.9 miles

    ReplyDelete
  79. 15jul14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 2.38 miles
    Comments: quiet transitions were the theme, also working on pausing and breathing when things don't quite go as expected.
    Miles to date: 416.28 miles

    ReplyDelete
  80. 16Jul14
    Horse: Jessie
    Miles: 0.95 miles
    Comments: Some arena work, bareback, before going to work. What a fun way to start the day! Just did mostly walk, lots of circles and changes of direction. The steering is coming!

    Horse: Sasha
    Comments: PRR at Skyline. What a fun time. Did some jumping when we were done (Samantha was desperate to jump!). Fun to see John Vasa very determined to jump the little coop. He did it too, Fancy was very good!
    Distance: 8.19 miles
    Total miles to date: 425.42 miles

    ReplyDelete
  81. 17Jul14
    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 4.24 miles
    Comments: Went further today on Jessie, with Tonya. Found a bit that he doesn't seem to mind. Put my hand in his mouth to check his palate and it is super low, so we tried the Waterford. Its a little big for him, but he likes it! It doesn't hit his palate so he doesn't mess with it. He was good, and actually managed to walk quietly most of the way home.
    Total miles to date: 429.66 miles

    ReplyDelete
  82. 18Jul14
    horse: Fernilee
    distance: 1.12 miles
    comments: just a short play in the arena before going to work.

    horse: Jessie
    distance: 2.49
    comments: Tonya came and tried out Jessie, to see if she wanted to borrow him. He was much to strong for her wrists, so we had a change around and her niece rode Cam instead.
    miles to date: 433.27

    ReplyDelete
  83. 19Jul14
    Horse: Sasha
    distance: 9.24 miles
    comments: Sam and I took Cam and Sasha over to Cumberland to check out the new hunt country. Mostly road riding as the land is mostly crops. Looks pretty, though the middle along the river is going to be tough to stay with hounds.

    miles to date: 442.51 miles

    ReplyDelete
  84. 20Jul14
    Horse: Sasha
    distance: 6.56 miles
    comments: The plan was to stay with Melinda and go to Hacklebarney woods. Melinda's lights on her trailer were out, so we just rode the accessible Cumberland hunt country.
    miles to date: 449.07 miles

    ReplyDelete
  85. 23Jul14
    Horse: Sasha
    distance: 6.02 miles
    comments: around the creek
    miles to date: 455.09 miles

    ReplyDelete
  86. 26Jul14
    Horse: Cam
    distance: 7.87 miles
    comments: Indian Caves - very hot. The hills are a lot more than Cam is used to.

    27Jul14
    distance: 4.83 miles
    comments: Rode out with Shari and Mary first thing in the morning before work day. Absolutely awesome. The hills were still hard for Cam, though better at the cooler temp.

    miles to date: 467.79 miles

    ReplyDelete
  87. 27Jul14
    Horse:Sasha
    Distance: 3.33 miles
    comments: went up to Tonya's to check on Logan - just a tiny bit off at trot, but should be good to go out for a walk tomorrow. took Sasha along the creek.
    Miles to date: 471.12 miles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This last one should be 28Jul14. July is just disappearing fast :)

      Delete
  88. 29Jul14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 1.41 miles
    comments: some ring work before going to the paying work. Fabulous morning.

    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 0.64 miles
    Comments: some ring work, but he seems a little off - perhaps the very hard ground - may need to try front shoes and pads.

    Total miles to date: 473.17 miles

    ReplyDelete
  89. 30Jul14
    horse:Sasha
    distance: 2.91 miles
    comments: just a short ride with Tonya and Logan to see how Logan is doing. He seems sounds so tomorrow we should be able to go further and do some trot with him.
    total miles to date: 476.08 miles

    ReplyDelete
  90. 31Jul14
    horse: Sasha
    distance: 2.93 miles
    comments: Rode up the road with Tonya and Samantha, and all three dogs. kept it to a walk, until the thunderstorm was a little too close for comfort, and it started to rain.
    miles to date: 479.01 miles

    ReplyDelete
  91. 02Aug14
    horse: Jessie
    distance: 1.69
    comments: moved the reins to the bit. he fussed a little but got better and better. A lot of trot and circles, and yeah, he seems to be getting the hang of steering and control!

    Horse: Fernilee
    distance: 3.64 miles
    comments: did some faster work in the arena this evening, and jumped the logs that I cleared the overhead branches from, this morning. Little erratic in parts, as usual stopping breathing and slowing down solved the confusion!

    miles to date: 484.34 miles

    ReplyDelete
  92. Date: 3aug14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 7.38 miles
    Comments: went to branched oak, with Tonya,and Lisa rode Cam. Lovely breeze to begin with.
    Miles to date: 491.72 miles

    ReplyDelete
  93. 3Aug14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 3.24 miles
    Comments: went with riddock on his run. Fernilee is actually good at going the same speed as the boy.
    Miles to date: 494.96 miles

    ReplyDelete
  94. 6aug14
    Horse:Cam (& ponied Sasha)
    Distance: 2.89 miles
    Comments: just rode up the road.
    Total miles to date: 497.85 miles

    ReplyDelete
  95. 7aug14
    Sasha
    4.24 miles
    Just up the road, but Sam and Tonya came today. Very slow ride!

    8 Aug 14
    Fernilee
    1.66 miles
    Some slow work in the ring _ made longer by her pulling and not listening going back to the barn, so we worked by the barn, back to the ring etc. I think she almost got it!
    Total miles to date: 503.75 miles

    ReplyDelete
  96. Congrats on getting over 500 miles :-)

    ReplyDelete
  97. 27aug14
    Horse: Cam (& ponied Sasha)
    3.23 miles
    Comments: yeah! Back in the saddle. Just went down the road with Tonya. Stomach muscles a little tired but not too bad. Did some trot, but my legs got tired fast.
    Miles to date: 506.98 miles

    ReplyDelete
  98. 30aug14
    Horse: Sasha
    Miles: 4.10 miles
    Comments: got three horses worked at once, Sam rode Jessie for the first time and got along well with him; Tonya rode Cam. Tonya had as niece on Logan, so it was a walking ride. Probably good for me.
    Miles to date: 511.08 miles

    ReplyDelete
  99. 31aug14
    Horse: Fernilee
    Distance: 2.41
    Comments: just some slow work round the tree, and the down the road. Slow was not what Fernilee had in mind!

    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 7.66 miles
    Comments: went through Memphis and around the lake. Had to wait out the storm in a picnic shelter, made for a fairly long ride.

    Miles to date: 521.15 miles

    ReplyDelete
  100. 01sep14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 5.01 miles
    Comments: slightly faster ride today with Samantha before she heads backs to UNL. Cam got in a bunch of miles this weekend, as she was ridden every day, and she was a little tired today. Hopefully we can be fit again by the end of September.
    Miles to date: 526.16 miles

    ReplyDelete
  101. 02sep14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 1.41miles
    Comments: just had a little time to ride, so got some ring work in with Sasha, before the clinic at Brenda's this weekend.
    Miles to date: 527.57 miles

    ReplyDelete
  102. 5sep14
    Horse: Sasha
    Distance: 1.0 miles
    Comments: just to the end of the road and back.

    6sep14
    Horse: Sasha
    (No distance recorded in the arena, but a good day @ the centred riding clinic)
    Horse: Jessie
    Distance: 2.42 miles
    Comments: just a short ride with Sam (& Cam) while Sam is home.

    7sep14
    Horse: Sasha
    (Again no distance recorded. Disappointing first ride, but Brenda, Carol, and Janine were gracious enough to give me a "do over". The second ride was much better).

    8 sep 14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 3.03 miles
    Comments: just up the road. Beautiful moon, lousy mosquitoes!

    Total miles to date: 534.02 miles

    ReplyDelete
  103. 12sep14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 5.41 miles
    Comments: went up the road, and ponied Sasha. They have been cooped up in the dirt (mud) lot too much, Sasha was a brat.
    Miles to date: 538.43 miles

    ReplyDelete
  104. 14sep14
    Horse: Cam
    Distance: 7.94 miles
    Comments: fox hunting season has started! Cubbing in burwell today. Awesome.
    Miles to date: 546.39 miles

    ReplyDelete
  105. 18sep14
    Horse: Can
    Distance: 3.59 miles
    Comments: just trying to get some miles in, but between the shortening days and savage mosquitoes it is getting tough to ride after work.
    Miles to date: 549.98

    ReplyDelete
  106. 20sep14
    Day 1 of hunt camp
    7.31 miles
    I rode Sasha, Sam was on Jessie and her roommate rode cam.
    Miles to date: 556.29

    ReplyDelete
  107. 21sep14
    Day 2 of hunt camp
    5.01 miles
    Sasha was a little exciting but finally settled and was good. Sam had fun being back on Cam.
    Miles to date 561.30

    ReplyDelete
  108. 22sep14
    Sasha and Cam
    1.45 miles
    Just a little ride while trying out a new saddle. Ran out of daylight too fast!
    Miles to date: 562.75 miles

    ReplyDelete
  109. 23sep14
    Sasha
    Distance: 5.02 miles
    Took the saddle for a longer ride. Sasha seems to love it, she was happy, and I actually had to stop her cantering, which is a first.
    Miles to date: 567.77 miles

    ReplyDelete
  110. Indian cave. CTR
    27&28 sep14
    Day 1: 19.94 miles
    Day 2: 19.21miles
    Horse: Sasha
    Sasha filled in for cam and did fabulously (except for waking me up at 4:30am).
    Miles to date: 606.92 miles

    ReplyDelete
  111. Congrats on getting over 600 miles :-) Wonderful to watch you have such a great ride!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for helping with the ride. It was a lot of fun, and I think Sasha felt pretty proud of herself too. The prizes were awesome!

      Delete
  112. 4oct14
    Fernilee
    2.57 miles
    Time to get Fernilee fit again. She is quite the toad _ a very tall toad! Ride started with a discussion about who was in charge of the speed, once that was decided the rest of the ride was amazingly good. Just stayed in the arena.
    Miles to date: 609.49

    ReplyDelete
  113. 4oct14
    Cam
    2.49 miles
    Just down the road with Tonya and a niece.
    Total miles: 611.98

    ReplyDelete
  114. 5oct14
    Sasha
    Final PRR ride at Skyline.
    7.49 miles

    Fernilee
    1.17 miles
    Turned on the arena lights and got in a ride this evening.

    Miles to date: 620.64 miles

    ReplyDelete
  115. 7oct14
    Sasha
    0.78 miles

    8oct14
    Fernilee
    1.72 miles

    Comments: some arena work for both. Both were very relaxed and did some lovely trot and circles.

    11oct14
    10.69 miles
    Sasha
    Rode with Tonya and her nice. Tonya rode cam. Supposed to go to burwell, but it is too beautiful an afternoon to spend driving, and tomorrow is not going to be as nice.

    Total miles to date: 633.83 miles

    ReplyDelete
  116. 12oct14
    Fernilee
    6.25 miles
    Rode with Tonya and nice. Again T was on Cam. Fernilee was her normal basket case on the way home, expected but getting old!

    Sasha
    5.88 miles
    As I stayed home I could join Diane at SCPA. What beautiful scenery and the weather was perfect.

    Miles to date: 645.96 miles

    ReplyDelete
  117. 18oct14
    Fernilee
    10.5 miles
    Hunting in Cumberland. Fernilee was not bad, just wish there was a volume button to turn her down just a little!
    Rode her in the ring wed and Fri, just no GPS with me.
    Miles to date: 656.46 miles

    ReplyDelete
  118. 19oct14
    Sasha
    8.39 miles
    NECTRA ride at branched oak. Lovely weather, good friends, and some fantastic canter. Doesn't get much better!
    Total miles: 664.85 miles

    ReplyDelete
  119. 23oct14
    Sasha
    0.93 miles
    Some arena work to get some energy off before the farrier comes. She was really light, so we didn't work for very long.
    24 oct14
    Fernilee
    2.14 miles
    Some arena work and then cantered down the road because it is too greasy in the ring. She was really good, and managed to almost stay in walk on the way home.
    Miles to date: 667.92 miles

    Now I need to decide which goes hunting tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  120. 26oct14
    (One day off on the previous dates!)
    Fernilee
    5.32 miles
    Hunting at Cumberland: got there late because the train had to wait for the main line by hwy 6 to clear. Waited for 40 minutes! So we missed half the hunt. Horse was pretty horrid too! Shouldve taken sasha. Lunch was good☺
    Miles to date:673.24 miles

    ReplyDelete
  121. Love that you Fox Hunt!
    Would love to do it in the years to come!
    Good Luck with the rest of your season & if you are on Facebook connect with "Idunn Grace" my horse. Would love to follow your adventures in fox hunting!
    Wishing you Miles & Smiles, Heather Grace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. This is the start of my 11th season fox hunting. I love it ((usually!) It's a essentially a trail ride with attitude, jumps, and unpredictable route. What could be better!

      Delete
  122. 300ct14
    Day one of our four day joint hunt☺
    Fernilee
    9.34 miles
    Blank day, no coyote to be found�� my horse though was awesome, and I remember why I like to hunt her. She was wound when I got on, but settled down when Tyce let out hounds. Her speed, endurance, jumping and ability to stand and wait quietly by herself waiting and watching were all in force!
    Miles to date: 682.87 miles

    ReplyDelete
  123. 31oct14
    Day 2: Halloween hunt
    Sasha
    Started out as death with a soul eater scythe. Had to ditch the mask before getting on, ditched the scythe soon after, and the cloak lasted about a mile! Sasha' s first hunt this year, she was a little wound. After her typical self, she mellowed after 5 ish miles. She had a awesome canter, even faster than with Tammy, I think she has some speed after all!
    11.7 miles

    Took out the other two after lunch, so they get exercise. Rode Fernilee and ponied cam. They were fairly good.
    4.51 miles
    Total to date: 699.14 miles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm thinking she is going to be your CTR horse next year! Would have loved to see the costume!

      Delete
    2. That's the plan! Hope she will start to settle quicker.

      Delete
  124. 1nov14
    Day 3 of joint hunt
    Rode Cam today with a whip from Ft Leavenworth. They were mutt and Jeff! But in spite of the size difference they did well together. Another blank day.
    16.3 miles
    Miles to date: 715.44 miles

    ReplyDelete
  125. 2nov14
    Final day of joint hunt. Fort Leavenworth hounds today. I was supposed to guide one of their whips, but Fernilee was so high after being in for two days, that I guided at a distance. We did a lot of miles today, but I think a lot in circles!
    22.3 miles (avg 9.44 mpg! About twice as fast as usual, but we didn't have much still time, and not much walk either).
    Miles to date: 737.74 miles

    ReplyDelete
  126. 8nov14
    Sasha
    4.62 miles
    Did the road whip approach to day 1 of junior hunt, so had to take Sasha out later.

    9nov14
    Sasha
    Opening hunt ( rolled into day 2 of junior hunt)
    Got there late (next time read the emails!). Turned out well as we didn't have to rush, and caught up at our own speed.
    7.25 miles

    Miles to date: 749.61 miles

    ReplyDelete
  127. 16nov14
    Sasha
    3.92 miles
    Miles to date: 753.53 miles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good thing I had a "date" with Tonya. Wouldn't have ridden without the extra incentive!

      Delete
  128. 22nov14
    Sasha
    5.68 miles
    Wow it felt nice out today! Sasha was awesome.
    Miles to date: 759.21 miles

    ReplyDelete
  129. 23nov14
    Sasha
    4.38 miles
    Getting in a quick ride while it is still warm and before heading to Lincoln. Wore my duster, great again the wind!
    Miles to date: 763.59 miles

    ReplyDelete
  130. 29nov14
    Sasha
    4.17 miles

    Fernilee
    1.4 miles

    Total miles to date: 769.16 miles

    ReplyDelete
  131. 6dec14
    Sasha
    6.04 miles

    7dec14
    Sasha
    7.56 miles
    (& jumped the new ditch terry dug)

    Miles to date: 782.76 miles

    ReplyDelete
  132. 13dec14
    Sasha
    7.89 miles

    Fernilee
    1.81 miles
    What a great afternoon for riding.
    Total miles to date 792.46 miles

    ReplyDelete
  133. 14dec14
    Fernilee
    3.25 miles

    Sasha
    6.38 miles
    Sasha was great, Fernilee not so much!

    Miles to date: 802.09 miles

    ReplyDelete
  134. 21Dec14
    Sasha went hunting with the beagles, and had to whip-in. Such a short ride we went an extra couple of miles down the road.
    5.14 miles
    total to date:807.23 miles

    ReplyDelete
  135. 25dec14
    8.0 exactly!
    Sasha
    Beautiful day
    Total to date: 815.23 miles

    ReplyDelete
  136. Boxing day
    Sasha
    7.25 miles
    A little chilly today!
    Total to date: 822.48 miles

    ReplyDelete
  137. 28dec14
    Boxing day hunt
    Sasha
    7.00 miles
    Cold but sunny and still. Great day.
    Total to date: 829.48 miles

    ReplyDelete
  138. 31dec14
    Fernilee
    1.2 miles
    Very cold, dark and breezy! But needed to ride out 2014
    Total this year: 830.68 miles

    ReplyDelete