Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

Wow!  I didn't realize it had been over a year since my last blog post.  A lot has happened since then!

This year I decided to step out of my comfort zone and start competing again.  I took Cat to her first trail challenge (ITREC) in June hoping to just stay on.  You can imagine my shock when we ended up taking 2nd place on the first day.  The second day we placed 5th.  This was enough to earn the Intermediate High Point buckle.

Trail riding this year has been pretty limited as we have had a lot of rain.  We did manage to get out a few times this year, although we were only able to have one overnight trail ride.

Playing in the water at Brushy Creek

More fun in the water

Duke got saddled for the first time this year.  He still has a lot of growing to do before a rider is added but he took it well.  More than likely he will become my winter project.

I decided to push my comfort zone even more by taking Cat to an AQHA Trail Challenge in August.  We ended up placing 3rd in the training level.

The pinwheel

In September we did another ITREC challenge.  Cat took 1st place on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday, earning another buckle.  

Last year after looking at some photos of the Black Hill on Horse Trails and Camping Across America I decided I to book a trip to SD.  For years MIL and I have said we were going to go  'next year' but always found a reason to not go.  This time there would be no excuses.

Two weeks before the trip Lucy got hurt.  I was hoping she'd heal up in time to go but decided at the last minute not to chance it and took Cat instead.

We stayed at Broken Arrow Horse Camp in Custer, SD.  The camp was nice and the people were great.  The trails were quite a bit different from the ones we are used to at home.  Lots of hills and lots of rocks!  I had decided not to put shoes on Cat and worried I'd made a huge mistake but she ended up fairing well barefoot.

Broken Arrow Horse Camp

The stalls at Broken Arrow

Lots of steep hills (trail behind Broken Arrow)

Mines outside of Broken Arrow

The Man From Snowy River?  I think I'll pass

On top of "Heaven" (7000 ft)

Some of the old mines

 

Rocky trail to Beecher Rock

The horses getting a much needed rest (Beecher Rock)

The view from Beecher Rock

I told him not to fall off!

Coming down from Beecher Rock

Rushmore Ride - TONS of rocks

The ride to Rushmore

Rushmore!

Blackberry Trail from Rushmore

We had a FABULOUS time!  This ride to Rushmore really challenged our horses and our horsemanship skills.  There was a lot of rock, a lot of steep hills and lots of downed trees.  The boys learned that you can use a leatherman to cut a tree off of the trail - it just takes a lot of work!  We were very patient while they cut away. :)

We had a great time and next year we are planning on doing it again (going out of state, not necessarily to SD).

I have another AQHA competition in a week and then I'm debating on doing the ITREC ride in October.  I'll be moving myself up to the "Advanced" level.  Not because I think we are ready for it but because I think I need to once again challenge myself.

I'm also toying with the idea of going to a trail challenge at the Nebraska Horse Expo.  Money and weather are two of the main reasons I can't make up my mind on this one.  It would be held inside a pavilion which would be a new experience for Cat.

Next year I would like to ride:

Kanopolis State Park and Calamus Lake & Recreation Area

Now that I've written a novel................I think it is time to hit the post button before I go on anymore.