Endurance Riding

Well, we did it! And this time there was no getting lost (I have apparently improved my map reading skills), no injury to speak of (well, except for that tree that attacked my arm and left me with a couple scrapes), and no tears (at least not the “bad kind”)…

Asali and I arrived at camp on Friday afternoon. Kathryn and Madison were once again our neighbors (with their two Arabs). Our first order of business this time (before setting up camp or vetting in) was to join Kathryn and Madi on a pre-ride.

Heading out to the trail.

After our ride, I set up camp (I chose to sleep in the horse trailer this time around since it was nice and warm). Then I vetted Asali in (I realized one of the same vets from our last ride was Dr. Craig Brown from Oroville… a friend had told me about his wife, who is apparently a great equine vet, specializing in performance horses).

At the pre-ride meeting, we met ride manager, Jennifer Stalley (who is hysterical, by the way…  she should consider stand-up comedy as a second career). I found out there were 40 competitors in the 25 mile ride, 90 in the 50, and about 12 competing in the Ride & Tie (HUGE competition)! Jennifer also pointed out that 12 Tevis Cup Board Members were present, as well as many other well-known competitors, some who had competed internationally. Yup, I was intimated. So, I made sure to pay close attention to the directions; I took notes all over my map this time and then had Jennifer personally verify that my notes were correct. Then I got Asali ready for the next day’s competition. I groomed her and shaved patches of her hair on her neck, back legs, and behind the cinch to make sure she’d stay cool in the heat. I also braided her long mane.

Ready for tomorrow… #209 in the 25!

The morning of the ride, I woke up early even though we had a late start time of 8 am. I used my new proprane stove to boil water for oatmeal and tea (I was much more prepared this time, with lots of new camping gear and extra food). Asali and I were second to ride out – just like last time, she wanted a running start.

Breakfast of Champions

The trail was beautiful. Lots of hills, open spaces, and cattle grazing. The views were amazing on top of the ridge! I remember thinking how alive I felt to be able to see such breathtaking backcountry from the top of my beloved horse. By the time we made it to the vet check and mandatory one hour hold, however, I was hot, tired, thirsty, hungry, and desperately in need of some of Kathryn’s monkey butt powder. Luckily, I met Kathryn and Madi at the vet check (they were riding the 50 but arrived at the check at the same time as I did) and we enjoyed lunch together (and spread the monkey butt around) before heading back out on the trail.

Cache Creek

Once back out on the trail, I met up with a gentleman riding a Russian breed mare. He and I had been riding together most of the first part of the trail and we once again found each other. His mare and mine seemed to get along fine and the paces of the horses matched nicely, so we finally decided to just ride the rest of the ride together. Although I normally like to ride alone in competition, I enjoyed Roberto’s company and was glad he rode with me. He had a very thick Italian accent (even though he has lived in the states for many years) which earned him the title “My Italian Friend.” I found out that this was also Roberto’s second endurance ride. He is just as new to the sport as I am.

Roberto and I had a running finish at the end, with our hands in the air, a couple of “woop woops,” and a high-five. And this was all before the awards ceremony…

A group of 50-milers coming to the end of the trail!

That night, I found out Roberto and I had come in 13th and 12th, respectively. I was so shocked (and proud) that Asali and I had almost made the Top 10, especially in a ride that had a substantial amount of competitors. Yup, I think we were made for endurance.

I told Kathryn this past weekend that I feel like my life is suddenly about when the next endurance ride is. Seeing parts of the countryside that I wouldn’t normally get to enjoy, spending all day in the saddle with my best friend, and meeting up with old friends… could life get any better?

My friend, Katie, who I met at the Whiskeytown Chaser, right after finishing the Cache Creek 50.

You heard me right. Doctor’s orders. Yup, I’ve suffered yet another (very silly, very stupid) injury. I promise you I am not normally this accident prone!

After our ACTHA CTC on Saturday, I was grazing Asali in the field when she spooked from the wind (she is not normally a spooky horse, but it was unusually windy on Saturday). She reared up and tried to bolt, yanking my arm that was holding the lead rope. I didn’t notice any pain at first, but on Sunday my left arm, shoulder, and neck were sore – nothing too painful, just a dull aching, which I would have easily ignored. On Sunday night, however, the shooting pains started, which made it difficult to sleep.

On Monday, I had an appointment with my chiropractor, Dr. Steve Seegrist, in Chico. I decided to ask him what he thought about those shooting pains I had experienced during the night. He did an assessment and determined that I probably had a Grade 1 Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Separation, which is a sprain of the ligaments around the joint. Luckily, the treatment is easy – use of a sling, reduction of inflammation, and pain medication, if needed, until the sprain heals, which can take anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks.

No problem. Except, I have another endurance ride this Saturday. When I told Dr. Steve this, he just shook his head and laughed. He knew he wasn’t going to convince me to cancel my ride. So, he told me to be aggressive about icing my shoulder to reduce joint inflammation. He said to also be religious about resting my shoulder over the next 72 hours. Then he sent me over to the Student Health Center at Chico State to get further treatment.

At Chico State, I was given a sling and told to wear it until I could be re-checked in a week (the sling is coming off on Friday though, since Asali and I will be traveling down to Cache Creek). Then I was prescribed 800 mg ibuprofen tablets which, along with ice therapy, will help relieve inflammation.

Ice, Immobilize, Ibuprofen. Doctor’s Orders.

I’m just hoping I live through this weekend… they say things come in threes, so I’m just waiting for what’s next…

My psychiatric clinical instructor offered me a straight jacket to keep me safe… but I’ve declined.

Yesterday Asali and I competed in the Wildflower JAMBoree, a competitive trail challenge (CTC) with the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA). Mom came with us and rode Winnie. The competition was held at Camelot, in Butte Valley, not far from our home.

Asali and I decided to cowgirl it up for this ride. I traded in my breeches for my Wranglers, my riding polo for a Western show shirt, and Asali’s bridle for Forest’s bosal. I wore the cowboy boots Gary got me for Valentine’s Day last year and I brought along my cowboy hat as well (the first I’ve ever owned… but I think I’m pulling off the look well)! Of course, I completed the outfit with a bling-bling belt!

The day was beautiful, other than the CRAZY wind. I ran into several equestrian friends, many of whom had competed in the ACTHA CTC  I hosted last year at the ranch where I live. Roger, one of my volunteers from last year, was there as a competitor and he rode with my mom and me.

We encountered 7 obstacles: a trot weave around cones, an uphill serpentine, a side pass over a log, crossing a blue tarp, back up in the form of an L, a small jump over a log, and a hat pick-up. Although Asali was a bit hyped up at the beginning of the ride (she threatened to morph into a rodeo pony… not sure if it was my outfit that was setting off the rodeo vibe or the wind that was making her crazy… or maybe it was simply the fact that I was asking her stand still when she wanted to go), I was pleased with how she performed the obstacles. We struggled with the side pass, but she went right over the blue tarp with one of the fastest times. We ended up in 12th place at the end of the competition, with a total of 85 points. Not bad for our 3rd trail competition.

Photos below were taken by Forrest Bliss, who volunteered his time and talent for the ride:

Mom and Winnie did well at the ACTHA ride too, demonstrating their great hat pick-up at the last obstacle. And Winnie won Best Groomed Horse for her shiny coat!

Yesterday ended with cake and presents for my son, Declan, who turned 6. Today, after watching Mom perform her trail obstacles with Winnie at the Paradise Horseman’s Association Horse Festival, we took Declan miniature golfing. And although Declan spent more time fishing his golf ball out of the water than he did watching it roll into its intended hole, he had a great time.

Welcome to the sport of endurance, where tears can (and do) happen.

If I had to sum up the entire weekend into one word, I’d say: Wow. What an amazing experience. One ride and I am hooked on endurance!

Asali and I arrived at ride camp around 2 pm on Friday afternoon. (Thank you to my mom who had loaded Asali for me and then driven the horse trailer down to Chico so I could leave directly from school. Mom drove my car home for me.) I set up camp – Asali’s electric fence paddock and my bed (which I made in the back of the horse trailer). Afterwards, I checked in and then had Asali vetted. She had her pulse, respirations, capillary refill, and gut sounds checked. Then I trotted her away from and back towards the vet for a soundness check. She was marked with a 6, our competition number. We were ready to go!

Friday evening I did my pre-ride on the Canal Creek Trail, which would be the conclusion to our 25 mile ride the next day. It was beautiful. We rode past snow-capped mountains, trees beginning to bloom, and quiet streams. I was riding bareback and enjoyed just being alone with my horse, in preparation for the next day’s competition.

That night, at the pre-ride meeting, pot luck, and wine tasting (I just imagined us all riding hungover the next day – what a sight that would be), I began to make some new friends. I was invited by Kathryn and her daughter, Madison, to stay in their warm camper. While I’m not afraid of roughing it, I decided I needed a good night’s sleep and accepted their offer, which saved me from sleeping out in 38 degree weather.

Five am on Saturday came way too fast. The hour and 45-minutes I took to dress, eat breakfast, enjoy a cup of tea, groom and tack up Asali went even faster. I barely remember mounting – the last thing I did was grab my rider card for the vet checks and jump on. Then after a countdown, we were off! I had planned on staying somewhere in the middle, but Asali wanted to move out in the beginning, so I let her go with the front runners.

Once on the trail, everyone was moving so fast. There was this energy that carried all the horses and riders, and it left me feeling exhilarated. Parts of the trail were extremely narrow – single track trail, with switchbacks. I remember looking out over the mountain and thinking, “I am so glad I’m not afraid of heights.” I felt like I was rock climbing on horseback. It was definitely a technically challenging trail. Many people had commented that I had picked a tough 25 for our first, but Asali and I loved it.

The first 14 miles, we rode with many different groups. We hadn’t yet found our place in the competition. I enjoyed this time though because I had the opportunity to share our story with many different riders on the trail, a place where memories are made.

We threw a boot sometime during the end of the first part of the ride. It didn’t seem to bother Asali though, so we just kept moving. We vetted in sometime around 9:26… Asali pulsed down immediately! I was so pleased! The vet said he was impressed too and said I had conditioned her well. We were cleared to continue, after the 30-minute mandatory hold.

At the vet check, I put Asali’s other pair of Boa boots on while she ate and drank. Then I ditched the polo wraps – they were sweaty and coming loose. I didn’t really think she needed them anyway. (I found out later that polo wraps are never used by endurance riders – at least not during competitions. We’re learning as we go – I figured out the polo wraps weren’t going to work the hard way; the same way I figured out that jeans and field boots don’t work in endurance.)

During the second part of the competition, we rode alone. I preferred it this way because it allowed me to make a connection with my horse and focus on the ride without the distraction of other horses and riders. I realized while we weren’t with the front runners, we were somewhere in the middle of the pack. I had originally decided I was going to ride my first ride slow – only for the completion. But I changed my mind when we were out there and I decided I wanted a solid placing. When I switched to my competitive mind, however, I made a crucial mistake.

I was traveling on the correct trail, but for some reason, I thought I had missed a turn off to the last loop of our ride. I took my map out for a quick look, then turned Asali around, backtracked, and headed off on another loop. I didn’t want to take the time to study my map and figure out where I was because I didn’t want to waste any time. I convinced myself I was going the wrong way, even though I wasn’t, and I fixed the problem immediately without taking a moment to re-group.

I didn’t realize my error until I was almost to the finish line, arriving too early, knowing I hadn’t completed 25 miles. I started crying. And then I begged. I told the ride volunteers I just wanted to finish my first ride. I knew we could do it. I asked them to connect me back to the loop and let me do it over again. The ride manager’s assistant said she couldn’t get me back to the loop I missed because it would take too much time – there were too miles of backtracking that would occur. But she said she could lead me up the street and point me to a connection – I could ride the entire last loop over again to get in my 25 miles. I had obviously lost my placing in the competition, but if I did the last loop again and finished by the cut off time of 12:45, I could get a completion.

We arrived at the trail head at 11:59. Asali and I had 46 minutes. I pushed her on the last loop – and I kept apologizing to her. It was my fault she had to “haul ass.” I kept promising her treats at the end of the ride. She was amazing – she cantered around tight switchbacks and made it to the finish line at 12:22, with a ride time of 5 hours and 7 minutes. A group of volunteers cheered for us at the finish, but I was so exasperated, I didn’t even realize they were clapping for us. The first thing I said when I dismounted was that I was afraid Asali wouldn’t pulse down because I had run her so hard at the end. Then I said, “I just have to pee!” I think more tears followed after that.

Asali did pulse down. She was only one beat above the pulse limit of 60 at the finish line. After a drink of water and about 90 seconds later, she pulsed down. I was so proud of my horse – my partner and friend.

I met so many amazing new friends on this ride, including Kathryn and Madison, who I enjoyed sharing horse stories with. Madi, who is only 11, gave me some valuable tips on endurance riding – she is quite the horsewoman for her age. Then there was Cynthia, who shared my goal of riding the Tevis in 2013 at the Awards Dinner. And Linda, whose ridden Tevis twice and promised to take me out on the last 50 miles of the trail. And Teresa, who put her horse first and took a respectable RO (rider option – pulled herself from the competition when she became concerned about her horse).

Junior Rider and my new friend, Madi.

Katie, who is graduating from nursing school at Humboldt State the same time I graduate from Chico State, said, “I have many friends I see only at endurance rides. But they are some of my best friends.”

Ride Manager, Bonnie Sterling, and me with my First Time Rider award, an endurance book, which Bonnie signed for me.

Asali and I made it home on Sunday evening. It was quite a challenge getting home. At the conclusion of our wonderful weekend, I ended up with an eye injury. Apparently, I had picked up some debris in my right eye sometime during the ride. All night on Saturday, I woke up in pain. My eye felt like it was on fire – it was red, slightly swollen, and constantly tearing. Sunday morning, after I packed up camp, I drove a few miles into town and pulled into the Sunset Urgent Care. Asali waited outside in the trailer as my eye was numbed, the debris scooped out, the eye flushed and medicated with antibiotics. Because I had a deep corneal abrasion, the doctor decided to patch my eye. I ended up having to call my husband and mother to come get Asali and me in Redding because I could not drive.

Asali and I relaxing in the back of the horse trailer, patiently waiting for Gary and Mom to arrive to take us home.

Thank you to Dr. Ramseyer, Jane, and Renee, who were all just as concerned about my horse waiting in the horse trailer as they were about me!

THANK YOU TO RIDE MANAGER, BONNIE STERLING, AND ALL THE INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS (AND VETS) WHO MADE THE WHISKEYTOWN CHASER A SUCCESS! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR – WE’LL BE RIDING THE 50!

On Wednesday, March 30, my mom took Winnie to UC Davis’ Large Animal Clinic for a lameness exam. Since Asali needed a teeth float and I wanted some blood work done on her, I decided to tag along with my mom’s horse for the trip to UC Davis.

Winnie getting assessed right before Asali’s appointment. Luckily, Winnie was found to have no obvious lameness.

I had never been to UC Davis before, but I felt right at home. Being a nursing student, I am used to teaching hospitals, and it was fun talking to all the vet students and hearing about their plans for their future careers. Seeing the students at work reminded me of when I rounded at USC University Hospital with the medical students at the Keck School of Medicine – the only difference was we had humans as our patients, not dogs, cats, or horses.

UC Davis’ Large Animal Clinic

When Asali and I first arrived at UC Davis, she had an assessment done by senior student, Kristy Bowles, which revealed nothing exciting (Asali’s vital signs were all strong and she appeared healthy and at a normal weight). Kristy was working with Resident Clinician, Dr. Nora Nogradi. I gave them both a complete history on Asali and after her blood was taken and sent to the lab, she was given sedation for a teeth float and we moved to an exam room.

Asali smiles at Dr. Nogradi.

Asali’s mouth was found to be in good condition, although she had some sharp enamel points and a 6mm gingival pocket between two molars on her upper right arcade. Dr. Nogradi and Kristy reduced these points and then consulted with Faculty Clinician, Dr. Pusterla, regarding the gingival pocket. The pocket was flushed out and then packed with dental impression material (what I like to call “purple goo”). She was then given anti-inflammatory medication.

Asali’s medical record outside the stall she had for the day.

After the teeth float, Asali relaxed in a stall while we waited for her lab work to come back. I had a chemistry panel done (including a complete blood cell count) and her Vitamin E and Selenium levels checked. Everything came back normal! These tests look at her electrolytes and organ function, among other things, so I was very pleased. Dr. Nogradi said Asali looked like a very fit, healthy horse! Student Kristy wished us luck on our endurance training… she said if she is ever a volunteer vet at the Tevis Cup, she’ll keep an eye out for us!

Asali is healthy and ready to go home (with her new shipping boots on)!

I am really getting sick of this weather. We’ve had weeks now of rain, snow, sleet, and hail. With NO break in the weather. At least one sunny day here and there would be nice.

Today, I experienced another one of my “screw it” attitudes. I thought, “I’m going riding no matter the weather.” I am getting so behind on my training schedule with Asali, I’m starting to freak out about our first limited distance ride in two weeks!

The problem is, the weather was so horrible today that my “screw it” attitude didn’t win over the weather… Until about 3 pm, that is. I woke up from a mid-afternoon nap, jumped out of bed, made some chocolate chip cookies (and then ate a few for motivation), and put on several layers of clothes.

I rode Asali bareback, with just a rope halter and lead line. We went out on the South Loop. It was foggy and cold and the snow added a deafening silence to the forest. I could hear two things – the raindrops tapping softly on the top of my helmet and running streams, alive because of all the rain and snow melt.

The sky was dark and ominous. Many trees had been struck down in the storm, unable to withstand the wind. Asali rode through the snow, stopping for a drink where the snow had melted, leaving puddles of fresh, cold water.

The quiet of the forest, especially when it’s vacant and uninviting, makes you think. I was humbled by the nature surrounding me and I spent some time in reflection. I thought about my past, how I feel like a much different person now. I often wonder what happened to the girl I left behind. I am glad she is no longer with me; I have outgrown her.

I thought about my life now. I have much to learn, but I am ready to listen. I am beginning to understand there are just some things in life we will never be able to understand. I still have many questions, but now I am more focused on asking them rather than answering them.

I thought about Asali and how it is that we came to be riding on this trail, in these woods, these dark, empty, wet woods. I focused on fluidity. I closed my eyes, let her pick the pace, and moved with her every move. I let go of my grip and realized I could stay on if I went where she went. I tried breathing with her breaths and somewhere, out there on that trail, we were dancing as one.

I smiled.

Today, I was supposed to take Asali to the vet for a teeth float and some blood work. However, the horse trailer was buried in the snow and the roads weren’t safe to haul. So, I canceled Asali’s appointment (we’ve rescheduled for Wednesday, March 30th).

I decided today that I was going to go riding no matter what – I didn’t care if it was raining, snowing, or even hailing. Asali and I got lucky though – we went out riding during a one hour break from the bad weather.

After my ride in the snow on Asali, Mom and I decided to have a spa day and get our muddy, dirty horses cleaned up. We used my new Wahl clippers to trim bridlepaths and fetlocks. I also cleaned up Asali’s “beard.” Here she is afterwards, looking beautiful (and a little less masculine):

Well, it’s my Spring Break and my plan had been to get back in the saddle and work on my endurance training with Asali. Unfortunately, the weather does not seem to be cooperating. It hasn’t just been raining, it’s been pouring!

Yesterday, since it was awful outside, I had James, my natural hoof care practitioner, trim the horses in the barn. Then I decided to take the truck and horse trailer down to Ken’s Hitch and Welding in Paradise for a safety check. (I do this every year right before show season… get the brakes and lights checked, pack the wheels, lubricate the jack.)

After dropping off the truck and trailer, my mom and I headed down to Pony Tracks in Durham to pick up my new Tucker endurance stirrups. I also picked up a bag of California Trace supplements for my horses.

The rain continued to fall, so I decided to spend some time online shopping… I have a wish list of endurance items and I decided I might as well spend some of that birthday money I received. I now have a pair of Ariat endurance sneakers coming in the mail. As well as some shipping boots for Asali. And some horse clippers (so my husband will stop yelling at me every time I use his clippers to trim Asali’s bridle path).

The rain never stopped yesterday. In fact, it flooded the stalls at my barn, so I took my horses over to join my mom’s horses (as well as a few others in the Palace Barn).

Last night, my mom, Jakob, Declan, and I decided to have a slumber party in the barn with the horses. I fell asleep next to Asali’s stall, with my beagle, Ellie, keeping my legs and feet warm all night. I could hear the rain pounding on the rooftop, the wind howling through the cracks, and every once in awhile, I’d awake to a horse nickering, whinnying, or pawing.

Asali peeking out of her window. My bed was a fold out mattress on top of 6 bales of pine shavings. Note my reading material for the night: The Tevis Cup by Marnye Langer and Donna Snyder-Smith's Complete Guide to Endurance Riding and Competition.

Donovan, the DJ

Winnie and Grandma tucking the boys into bed as Beauty looks on. Ellie soon found out there wasn't any room for her and she crawled into my bed.

Forest staying dry during the storm.

Goodnight!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASALI!

My husband calls this Asali’s “Barbie Doll” shot. It was taken a couple years ago, when I took her to Hollister for David Lichman’s Gaited Horse Workshop.

Today, we signed up for our first Limited Distance ride! We’ll be riding the Whiskeytown Chaser 25-mile ride on April 9, 2011 near Redding, CA! Maybe we’ll see you there?

This past weekend left us without power or heat for 60 hours after we got more than three feet of snow dumped on us! And of course, the tractor broke so we couldn’t plow the roads around the ranch. And then the generator broke, rendering the automatic waterers in the barn useless.

So, how do you get through a weekend without power, heat, and limited water when you literally can’t go anywhere?

Well, first you call your brother in the bay area, who was supposed to arrive on Saturday for a birthday party for Gary (whose birthday was February 22nd) and his wife (that’d be me, whose birthday is today), and tell him to bring his skies. He abandons his car a couple miles from the ranch and cross-country skies in with his girlfriend, Natalie, pulling a sled behind him with groceries, wine, butterscotch Schnapps (to warm everyone up), and a birthday cake.

Then, you haul buckets of water to the horses at the barn. Next, you climb on top of the horse barn with Natalie and shovel the snow off so the barn doesn’t cave in. Then, you boil snow to wash dishes in the house.

You keep cooking warm food, creating more dishes in the process.

You also make sure to bury any perishables in the snow.

You spend time knitting beanies, including a “toe beanie” for Gary’s splinted foot.

Once the sun goes down, you bundle up, don headlamps (my brother gave me one as a birthday gift to fit over my helmet for endurance night riding), enjoy cake, and then use the cake candles to add more light to the dark house. Before bed, you play a few hands of Spades (and lose to your brother).

On Sunday, when your 8-year-old is sick, you have the ranch hand, Mike, drive you out on the ATV. You use your brother’s car to take him to the Urgent Care and then to the pharmacy, picking up a few more groceries and some Gatorade.

And then you go riding! 

Today, Forest and I went for a morning ride. I share my birthday with Forest, who is 7 today.

After lunch, I took Asali out for a wild ride. The air was chilly and she was feeling good. After galloping, we stopped for a birthday hug. Asali also has a March birthday. She will be 11 on March 10th.

Mom spent my birthday horseback riding with me. Here, she is on Jordi, a horse she is training.