What A Ride! Camp Far West 2012

In July Launi & I did his first Limited Distance 30 mile ride at Gold Country.  It was my first AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) ride in 5 years & it felt so good to be back on the trail competing.  I had so much fun & Launi did so well that I immediately started looking for another AERC ride.

After a lot of thought I signed us up for the LD 30 miler at Camp Far West over Labor Day weekend.  We were going to ride on Sat & I was looking forward to another good ride.  But in the back of my mind was a niggling little thought that maybe, just maybe we could do a 50 mile endurance ride.  I hadn't done a 50 miler in 7 years so that niggling little thought was a giant leap from our LD.  When ride management emailed the list of entries, my heart quickened when I saw that only 10 people were signed up for Sun's LD.  That meant IF I signed up for the 50 I'd only have to worry about controlling Launi for 10 riders to pass us.  Controlling Launi can be a bit of a challenge so my ride decisions have to be based on my safety.  Well after emailing with the ride secretary a few times, she told me that the LDs on Sun do a different trail so never pass the 50s.  That information sealed our fate.  I changed our entry to the 50 miler on Sunday.  Launi was about to grow up.

On Friday a friend stopped by & helped me glue Easyboot Glue-Ons onto Launi's feet.  I didn't want to risk any gaiter rubs from his Gloves since Sun was going to be a long riding day.  We had a little trouble getting the glue to set up on one of his hooves, but at last he was bathed & booted, ready to begin our next big adventure.

The 44 mile drive to ridecamp was uneventful.  I saw a lot of friends & had fun visiting.  I was asked a number of times about what breed of horse Launi is & no one could believe he's a purebred arab.  I suppose I better get use to this as it also happened at the Gold Country 30.  I even had a bearded man ask if he was for sale.  Uh NO!  Launi vetted in fine & we were set to go the next morning.  It was a beautiful morning on Sun with the remains of the blue moon still looking over the valley when I got up to feed.   All through the hustle & bustle of tacking up Launi was calm.  Could I really be so lucky as to have a quiet ride start?  I got on & we rode around camp for a few minutes before he started to get excited.  Up went his hind end while he violently shook his head.  I was in for a wild ride if I didn't get him focused.  Back to the trailer we in the hopes he'd eat & relax.  About 12 minutes after the ride started, Launi & I hit the trail.  With no other horses in sight he calmly did his dog-trot down the road.  He was out for a Sunday ride & had no clue what we were really doing.

It wasn't long before we caught up with other horses but at least we had reached the hills.  While Launi got strong & tried to keep up, or catch up, with other horses, he was very controllable & never offered to buck.  Whew...I lucked out BIG TIME!  We leap-frogged with a few riders and I was so proud that Launi never lost his cool.  Somewhere around 12 miles we met another rider who joined us for the rest of the day.  Her horse & Launi were well suited & we had a great day riding with our new friends.  

Shara, our savior of the day, met us at mile 15 with water, wet hay, & mashes.  While our horses replenished Shara gave me the sad news that Launi's sire, Rabu Farwa aka Pip, had died Friday night.  He'd passed on the blue moon, a giant of a little horse who meant so much to his owner & me.  I was so fortunate to have leased him because without Pip I'd never have had Launi or Launi's 2 daughters.  It was with a heavy heart that Launi & I dedicated his first endurance ride in the memory of his sire.  Not finishing was now NOT an option.

Shara met us half a dozen times along the trail, offering water & feed to our horses, & a diet pepsi to me.  I know that without her we might have had a different day.  It was the refreshing breaks that kept us perked up & going down the trail.  There were times when I whispered to Launi about other rides I'd done on this trail.  He was following in the footprints of an awesome horse, my dearly missed Farwraff.  It was so emotional to be riding the same trails with a horse I'd not only raised, but a preemie that I'd bottle fed.  A horse who so many thought wouldn't live through the first few days of foalhood.  There were a number of times as I rode that tears filled my eyes.  Tears of sadness, tears of joy, & tears of love for the horse Launi was becoming.

In the morning I'd had trouble with my stirrups & my left ankle was weakening & sore.  Some adjustments were made at lunch that helped but the ankle remained sore.  Not everything about the day went as planned.  My netheryeah was chafing so I grabbed the baby powder.  Only after sprinkling it liberally, I noticed that I'd grabbed Launi's FOOT powder.  Oh shit!!  After dancing around, shaking out powder, I hoped it wouldn't burn when I got back in the saddle.  Actually though, the menthol proved to be cooling & it didn't burn.  Whew!  That was close!  With about 6 miles left to ride, it popped twice, buckled,  & I could hardly stand the pain.  I don't know what happened but it sure felt bad.  We walked the downhill & uphill while trying to trot a little on the flat.  My thighs & calfs sure got a work out since I wasn't using my ankle or feet.  I even rode with my left foot out of the stirrup as we trotted on down the trail.  As we passed the firing range, complete with what sounded like cannons, for the 2nd time, I knew we were almost done.  Just 3 more miles.  Shara met us 1 1/2 miles from the finish for one more refreshment.  While the horses ate & drank, my ankle rested & didn't feel as bad that last mile or so.

It was a good thing the smoke from the northern fires had started filling the air.  Everyone's eyes were watering & stinging.  I say it was good because when I crossed that finish line in tears, no one noticed.  What a high!

Launi vetted out good, bright & alert, even trotting freely in hand, which is something he usually refuses to do.  He sees no reason to trot when he can walk as fast as I run.  But maybe because Shara trotted him for the vet he thought he'd be a good boy. 

This morning when I went out to check on Launi it was hard to believe we'd ridden 50 miles just yesterday.  He was bright, perky, & quite demanding in wanting breakfast.  His legs look good & I don't think he even lost any weight.  There was no signs that he'd just graduated to being an ENDURANCE HORSE.   

ps:  I on the other hand should probably stick with being an LD rider.  My ankle's in a soft brace & a few body parts don't feel quite right.  Maybe I'm too old to relive my youth??  Well, there's not much I can do about that because if Launi's an endurance horse, then I guess I have to get back to being an endurance rider.  And NO, he's NOT for sale. LOL 

    

 

Once In A Blue Moon

The blue moon is a rare event that has marked significant events throughout history.  Once in a blue moon a special horse will come to you & fill a space in your heart.  For me that horse was Rabu Farwa, affectionately known as Pip.

A grandson of two greats, Abu Farwa & Aurab, he had a wonderful old pedigree that most people will never have the opportunity to behold.  While short in stature he was a giant of a horse.  I had long looked for an Abu Farwa grandson (all the Ab sons were gone) to breed to my CMK mares.  After 8 long years of looking, I met Pip's owner Pat on-line.  What a wealth of knowledge Pat has proven to be, as well as a mentor & friend.  In 2004 Pip came to live me on a lease.  My hopes & expectations were high.

No matter the planning, things don't always go as planned.  With 4 mares in foal to Pip for 2005, I was excited & anxiously awaiting for spring.  In an unfortunate turn of events, the senior Pip had gone infertile so his 2005 foals would be his legacy.  When it came time for spring vaccinations, the mares were given West Nile Virus shots.  Within hours tragedy struck.  Three of the mares, the least far along in pregnancy, lost their foals.  The 4th mare was FV Farrubi who was 9 months pregnant.  Within hours she too showed signs of aborting her foal.  With the help of many knowledgeable breeders & my wonderful vet, we managed to get Rubi to hang onto her foal for another 30 days.  She was still a whole month early when she presented me with a premature colt.

Rabu Farwa's son, DreamCatcher Rabulaun aka Launi, was huge even though he was a preemie.  Born with no suckle reflex & a number of other preemie problems, I was determined not to lose Pip's legacy.  All the work & vet bills that went into Pip's son was more than worth it.  Seven years later I have the horse love of my life.  I also have 2 Pip granddaughters from before Launi was gelded.  Pip's legacy will carry on.

On August 31st 2012, on the night of the blue moon, a giant of a horse passed.  Pip's passing has left a hole in a few hearts that will never be filled.  I'm so blessed to have shared a short time in Pip's life.  Once in a blue moon a special horse came into my life.  Once in a blue moon Rabu Farwa ran free.        

A Love Affair

For those who've never had a love affair with a horse, I'm here to tell you it's a wonderful thing.  I'm sure a true love affair with a horse is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for only a few of those lucky enough to love horses.  I must be extremely lucky because I've had love affairs with THREE horses.  I've loved a lot of horses throughout my life, but I've only been "in love" with three.

The first was Reno Hancock, a registered quarter horse mare.  I grew up with Reno.  We were as one & she filled my every thought.  There wasn't a day that we weren't together.  She was there through my teen years & it was she who kept me from being another teenaged statistic.  I literally lived for Reno.  I married & moved to Texas with my husband & Reno.  It was Reno who came home to CA with me.  Actually, she was there for me through two divorces.  Ever strong with her shoulder to cry on, Reno was my rock through 9 1/2 difficult years.  When I lost her to colic my entire world collapsed.  I was inconsolable & not sure how I'd go on without her.  I knew there'd never be another horse who filled my heart so completely so I sold most of my tack & swore off horses.  Since I do love horses, I actually ended up bringing home a new horse within a couple of weeks.  But life just wasn't the same without Reno.  

In the 3 1/2 years following Reno's death I had a number of really nice horses.  I loved them all but none captured my heart.  Then one day I saw a bay gelding who made me pause.  I knew as I looked at him that he'd one day be mine.  He wasn't for sale but I kept an eye on him.  A few months later he was headed to auction as crazy & unridable.  I never hesitated as I wrote that check.  Farwraff was mine.  For 16 years we were partners.  I was in love with Wraff.  He made my heart smile.  We shared a lot of fun times, as well as those love & hate times that come along with being in any love affair.  Throughout our years together there was no other horse who could come close to Wraff., and I rode a lot of really nice horses.  Wraff filled my heart with warmth & joy.  I loved everything about him, even his crazy & sometimes dangerous antics.  He was my life.  Whenever I hear the song lyrics "I will always love you", Wraff is there in my mind & heart.  Even 12 years after losing him, he continues to hold a very special place in my heart.

Seven years ago a colt was born.  He was everything I'd hoped for when I bred his parents.  After a very rough start, including bottle feedings & surgeries on his underdeveloped legs, DreamCatcher Rabulaun began inching his way into my heart.  While I loved him, he was a very difficult colt to handle & he was always a challenge.  He was very time consuming because he had to be handled daily or he was unmanageable.  Very intelligent & self-confident, Launi was always finding ways to "push my buttons".  Finally I decided he was too much work as a stallion so I had him gelded.  Two years later we're going down the trail as partners.  Launi is becoming a great trail horse who both challenges me & occasionally gives me a good ride.  To say that I love Launi today is an understatement.  I'm totally & completely IN love with Launi.  He's becoming the horse of my dreams.  He's the horse light of my life.  There are times when he makes my heart swell like the Grinch's heart.  I love just spending time with him, breathing in his breath as he exhales, laying my head on his shoulder.  No matter how bad the day is, it just gets better when I'm with Launi.  He's The Wind Beneath My Wings.  

For those who've never had a love affair with a horse, I can only explain the feeling as that of a full heart; a heart that's bursting with joy; a heart that's filled with the love of a very special horse.  I am truly lucky to have had 3 heart filling horses share my life.  

Patience Isn't Launi's Virtue

Yesterday was quite an adventure.  A friend had talked me into taking Launi to a Competitively Judged Trail Trial.  WHY I agreed to go I'm not quite sure.  I'd convinced myself it'd be such a great, calm environment for Launi to learn patients & the art of walking in group rides.  Yeah right!

 Kim & I arrived at base camp around 1pm.  Her horse, Boo, & Launi travelled well together.  We set up our area & then I went for a short ride.  Launi was a bit "on his toes" but nothing too unsettling.  It was another hour before our ride started & in the mean time Launi hung out at the trailer.  He was quite fascinated by the mule next to him.  His ears perked every time the mule HEE HAWed.  And when the mule rode off, he called for him to come back.  Maybe it was because the mule was Launi's size, or maybe his voice was deep like Launi's.  Whatever it was, Launi likes mules.

Riders were put into groups by start time.  Kim & I were with 3 other people, 1 of which she knew.  I wasn't exactly happy about the groupings because I had expected to ride individually.  Launi & I were riding in the NON-judged category.  Why pay to be judged when Launi has NO experience with obstacles?  Obstacle #1 was the Birthday Party:  a narrow path between balloons, toys, packages, umbrellas, & the judge sitting in a canopied chair.  Very slowly, one step at a time, Launi negotiated through the Birthday Party.  Woohoooooo!  Awesome!  Obstacle #2 was a series of step-over logs into a downhill facing "box" of logs.  The object was to back uphill out of the box.  Again very slowly & carefully, Launi completed the obstacle.  I was pretty pleased.  Obstacle #3 was a log drag around a pair of porta-potties.  I screwed this one up by taking the rope in my right hand & approaching the porta-potties going to the left.  No way were we getting around without tangling in the rope so I made a right turn & just drug the log in a circle to prove that Launi could drag a log.  SOOOO proud of Launi.  The bridge obstacle was a no-brainer since we have bridges on our local trails.  We didn't attempt the gate obstacle but we did ride up & stop facing parallel to it.  There was a lot of wait time & standing around while everyone in the group worked an obstacle.  Up until now Launi'd been very good, but he was losing patience.  He started to fidget & refused stand, tossing his head & pulling to go.  We were also dealing with a very novice rider who couldn't keep his horse from galloping up behind us.  Grrrrr.....  Next we started up hill & I told our group we were walking, just as one rider took off with a few lope strides & then trotting.  The novice rider's horse loped into Kim's mare, setting her into a frenzy, &  Launi started throwing a temper tantrum.  He almost launched me & I could feel my butt leaving the saddle.  How I landed back in the saddle I'll never know.  A little further he bucked again & all I could do was turn him tightly, spinning downhill.  I'd had enough & was NOT going to continue in our group.  We were off course & I was all for just heading to the trailer.  We met up with the first group & found our way again, heading to the next obstacle in reverse.  It almost turned into a disaster.  It was a steep downhill into a little ravine & immediately up a steep hill.  Launi had NO focus & reared as he started uphill, hitting me in the face.  Another tight circle gave me some control.  Circling facing downhill is a "pit of the stomach" kind of feeling.  Finally we were at the last obstacle & back in camp.  Launi & I managed to complete 9 of the 10 obstacles to my satisfaction.  I modified a couple of them to Launi's level & he did as I asked.

While the experience & exposure were great for Launi, remind me to NEVER go to another event put on by this organization.  The trail wasn't marked & it was mostly just cutting cross country with no trails.  It was hours before dinner was served.  The awards were long & drawn out with the announcer centering everything around herself.  How can an event manager, who decides the obstacles, compete in her own event?  The organization, or lack thereof, left me shaking my head.

After dropping Kim & Boo off, we got home at 11pm.  A VERY long day.  All in all I'm very proud of Launi, with the exception of the bucking & rearing incidents.  There's more homework to be done before his next public outing.   

If It Hadn't Been For Horses

Horses touch our lives in ways we can't fathom.  I've had horses forever & they've brought many people into my life.  In fact, I really can't think of any friends who didn't come to me through horses.  Looking back over the years, other than a couple of school friends, I don't think I've ever had a non-horsey friend.  Or they might have been non-horsey until they met me.   I truly am a bad influence.  LOL

In 2007 I was at my first endurance ride in a few years.  I heard someone call my name & when I turned, I saw someone who I'd known from endurance in the 1990s.  Jan & I talked a bit & even rode the last 4-5 miles together that day.  It was fun seeing an old endurance friend.  She was riding the daughter of the mare she'd ridden when I rode my Wraff.  We shared a lot of memories & had a lot of laughs in those few miles that day.

I think it was in 2009 that I got an email from a guy in CO asking about my family research.  We discovered that our paternal great-grandparents were one & the same.  We were COUSINS!  It was so fun because other than seeing our great-uncle once as a kid, I'd never met any of my Chapek relatives.  As we corresponded back & forth, it came out that I had horses & was an endurance rider.  Lo & behold, Chuck's sister also had horses & used to ride endurance.  He asked if he could connect us & it was an easy YES for me.  Not only did I have a new cousin, we both loved horses & endurance.

It wasn't long before I got the first email from Chuck's sister.  We "chatted" about our horses & she mentioned that her last ride was Washoe Valley in 2007.  WHAT?  I was at that ride.  I didn't say anything but I KNEW.  I asked for a picture & could only grin & smile when I saw it.  Chuck's sister was my old endurance friend Jan.  After a few more emails I finally told Jan that we actually knew each other.  What a small world!

Today Jan & I have rekindled an old friendship into a new, AWESOME friendship.  We've both gotten back in the saddle to RIDE...Really Ride.  It's so much fun having someone to share old endurance stories with while we're making new stories.  Her Angell & my Launi do very well together & we've had some great rides on my favorite trails, the WST (aka Tevis trail).  We've shared some breathtaking views, splashing in the American River, traversing some of the narrowest trails I'd want to be on, lots of laughs, a few remembrance tears, telling family stories, and some down right FUN times on the trails.  Bringing us even closer is the fact that we share a gorgeous black filly.

A highlight that's actually even better in some ways than Jan & I as riding partners, is the fact that we've reconnected her mother &  my father after 75 years.  It's so much fun when we all get together to see & hear our parents chatting about their childhoods & their family.  They're so cute together.  It's just so heartwarming that they've found family in their elder years. 

To think none of this would have happened if it hadn't been for horses.     

Reflections on a Rescue

Cleaning pastures is a great time to reflect on things around us.  Our minds are free to wander as our bodies toil.  While I was scooping poop & being mauled by a couple of my little grey mares this morning, I got to thinking about the local rescue.

The local rescue has grown quite large with a following of people who are not only willing to donate, but to believe everything they're told by the rescue.  Why people are so willing to give money to a cause they haven't thoroughly researched is beyond me.  Why someone will blindly believe everything they're told without looking into matters themselves is also beyond me.  It never ceases to amaze me that people will defend this rescue but they've never been there, looked into its policies, followed its dealings, questioned its truthfulness, nor wondered where all the un-named horses have gone.  It's not hard to figure out that this is a high kill rescue that puts down horses for a variety of reasons, not just that they're ill or injured.  They've been known to murder (yes, I think of them as murderers) horses for no other reason than it's male & has testicles; a high number of arabs have been murdered; young horses are high on the kill list; horses deemed dangerous or having behavioral issues are sometimes never even unloaded from their trailers.  It's not known how many horses have been murdered by the rescue's own hands, but we do know from their own postings that they have killed animals by lethal injection.  And no, they aren't vets.  Hmmmm, makes you wonder doesn't it?

So while I was scooping poop I got to wondering about my own herd.  What would happen if this rescue had access to my horses (OVER MY DEAD BODY, well not even then)?  I do know that ALL of my horses would be high on "the" list just because they're arabs & part-arabs.  

My 21 year old mare would most likely be instantly murdered because they'd deem her dangerous.  She almost never perks her ears forward & pins them at anyone approaching her.  She's been this way since a baby & has NEVER done anything but have a snarly face.  Still, I'm sure that face would scare the rescue into erasing it from this earth.  This little mare was a dynamite endurance horse & is still a fun ride.  Of course with her previous, freak accident injuries, I'm sure she wouldn't stand a chance even though she is sound.  Sorry Wraini, the rescue sure wouldn't rescue you.

My 3 & 2 year old fillies might fare a little better, but I doubt it.  The 2 year old is growing fast & needs her feet trimmed every 2 weeks.  If she isn't trimmed properly she has issues with her stifles.  This is something she'll outgrow as she matures & it'll be a non-issue.  But not only does this rescue not provide hoof care for the horses, I consider them too ignorant to be able to realize this gorgeous filly has no issue other than rapid growth.  She's a feisty filly who likes to dance & flag her tail so I'm sure she'd be too much for them to handle.  My spirited Spring would probably be deemed as being unmanageable.  Maybe my 3 year old would have a better chance.  She's quite, even lazy & loves her face held.  But could they get beyond her pinned ears.  She's just another of those horses who seldom perks her ears.  She has a bit of a stubborn streak & can have a temper.  Adding her temperament to the fact that she's an arab I'm sure would sentence my sweet Carli to her death.

Looking across the pasture at the horse love of my life, I realize that Launi would have no chance.  He's big, he's arab, he's a bossy type horse who loves to challenge people.  He can be a handful under saddle because he has so much energy, youthfulness & life to him.  He's so very smart & I fear that alone would have him deemed dangerous.  You know it's not good to have a horse who's intelligence is higher than your own.

By virtue of his testicles my stallion would never even get unloaded from the trailer.  He'd go straight to their killing vet.  What a horrific shame!  While never started under saddle because of a broken back leg as a 2 year old, Shain has more than proven his worth to all who have met him.  He loves visitors, loves to be pampered, & is one of the sweetest stallions I've known.  He has a wonderful old pedigree that should be preserved & his offspring have been a credit to the breed.  Did I mention he's an arab?  So even if he would get unloaded from the trailer I'm sure he wouldn't last long.    To prove how ignorant this rescue is, you have to know that Shain is the 2007, Region III, Reserve Champion Sport Horse In Hand Stallion.

Maybe my little grey mares, ages 5 & 9, would have a chance.  Both are loving & literally maul me while working in their pasture.  Maybe their overly friendly attitudes would deem them dangerous?  Surely even this rescue isn't that demented.  The 5 year old has been started under saddle, although she's baby green.  Dippi is going to be a goer under saddle with a bold, forward personality.  Would that be too much for "them"?  I'd like to think not & that she might be safe.  She is after all only a part-arab.  My 9 year old, Faye, is the sweetest mare who loves her ears scratched.  But she's very sensitive & you can't raise your voice around her.  So I'm sure she wouldn't stand a chance with their lack of skills.  I know that Faye would make the cutest little girl's horse with the right, gentle, experience hand finishing her training.  All something that she couldn't possibly get at that rescue.

It's really a good thing the heat ended my day of cleaning the pastures.  I'm not sure my head (about to explode) or heart (about to break) could take much more reflecting on this rescue.  It's a very cold feeling to know their history & to know that so many horses are NOT safe with them.  If only the horse gods could protect the horses from them.

PS:  I hope my reflections have given you pause as to the future of your horse/s should something happen to you.  My horses all have their own "godparents" to look after their safety.  That's the best thing I can do for my horses.  I hope you make it the best you do for yours.

Launi Graduates Kindergarten

After 16 months of slow, mostly controlled, sane riding, Launi graduated from kindergarten this weekend.  He's now moved up to AERC Limited Distance rides by completing his first 30 miler.  What a thrill!  My goal for the ride was to hopefully get the entire 30 miles done, even if we were over time.  I honestly didn't think we could get the mileage done in time, but didn't really care.  I was riding to get conditioning, exposure, & training on my horse with the hopes of riding endurance in the not too distant future.

We pulled out of the drive at 7am Fri, heading to get fuel & ice.  Once at the gas station a guy mentioned that my truck was leaking freon.  OH NO!  Not a good way to start out for our first ride.  I assessed the situation & discovered a hose clamp that was loose.  Out came my tool box (thanks Daddy for teaching me the importance of having tools & knowing how to use them) & the leak was soon fixed.  We were off & driving.

Heading down Hwy 49 between Auburn & Cool is never an easy drive with it's winding, 8% grade, but driving into the smoke of the Foresthill & Colfax fire did nothing to set my mind at ease.  Luckily the Cool side of the canyon was smoke free & gorgeous.  On to the Dru Barner Equestrian Staging Area.  We arrived early enough that Launi was lucky to get a stall.  What a gorgeous campground.  Not long after we got there Blaze arrived with his mom & dad so Launi had a neighbor.  They quickly became BFFs. 

Vetting in was anything but smooth.  Launi had a sore & swollen spot on his back from his rambunctious, yearling pasture mate.  He also sported 2 cuts on his hips from the colt practicing for the stallion games.  Vet's suggestion, no more pasturing with the colt. Poor Launi.  Of course it didn't end there.  When I trotted him out he was so lethargic that TWO vets thought he might be off but couldn't say which, if any, leg.  Was it his sore back?  Was he sick?  I tried to explain that he wastes no energy except to give me a hard time.  Launi got a C for impulsion, attitude & gait at the PRE-ride vetting.  Thank you Aurora for going back to the vet & trotting him out again.  Your legs are a much better match. lol

Launi started the ride really well.  At least for the first 100 yards or so.  Then all his energy came out & my ride was on!  Three times I had to get a long way off the trail to let horses go by because he was getting out of control.  And believe me, as big as he is he can get out of control quick.  I'm happy to say he never bucked, but I had my hands full just trying to keep him from running away.  By the time we'd gone 5 miles I was ready to call his Godfather to come get him.  lol  For the next 25 miles we played leapfrog with a gal on her pinto.  While nice to know we weren't on the trail alone, it was hard at times because we paced differently.  I was trying to keep a steady trot while she was racing ahead & then walking.  Launi stayed wound & pulling on me but at least he NEVER bucked.  Finally we made it to our 22.5 miles lunch stop.  Boy was I glad.  I needed that break more than Launi.  Only 7 1/5 miles to go so I tried to slow down a little.  We started walking most of the uphill & tried to keep a 5mph dog-trot on the downhill & flat.  Crossing the finish line I still had a lot of horse.  Launi was still pulling to trot, with ears pricked forward.  I have no doubt we could have continued on down the trail.  Of course Aurora was there to trot him for the final vet check because I had no doubt he'd walk to my run.  And the vet's final comment:  He sure doesn't waste energy does he? 

What an amazing day!  Launi far exceeded my expectations.  He ate & drank like a pro; he kept moving forward even if a bit too fast sometimes; & he finished with time to spare.  Launi learned that he LOVES to trot downhill.  Not sure this is a good thing for me.  He also learned that he LOVES to trot.  Now that's a good thing.  I learned that I have a horse who has the potential to be incredible on the trail.  I also learned that I have a horse who's too big & powerful for short, old me.  Guess we'll just have to make do though 'cause I LOVE my graduate.  And NO he's not for sale!  LOL