Riding After Dark--Another Wraff Adventure

I had ridden at night many times as a kid. I was used to riding all day. What could be hard about riding ALL night for 100 miles? I asked myself this & decided it couldn't be hard at all so I signed up for my first 100 miler in Nov, 1985. The Camp Pendleton Challenge was held on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base in San Diego County, CA.

It was a gorgeous day, listening to the waves as Wraff & I rode for miles along the beach & seeing the buffalo as we rode through the herd. Ok, that was a little scary because they were, after all, BIG furry horse eaters. At about 40 miles I caught up with a woman, Karen, on a black horse & we started talking. She said it was also her first 100 & she was nervous about riding in the dark. I assured her it would be easy & fun so we decided to ride together for the next 60 miles.

Sometime shortly before dark we ended up riding with endurance legend Robbi Pruitt & her great horse Assoul (I'm sure I'm spelling it wrong but he was my horse idol at the time & the reason I wanted to own & ride a high mileage horse). As we trotted off into the dark I was confident we were going to have a non-eventful, easy ride through the night & I couldn't wait to celebrate the finish of my first 100.

There were glow bars zig-zagging across the field for about 50' & we thought the pattern was because that's where the brush was. We went in a straight line & soon found out the real reason the glow bars hung in a zigzag as Karen's horse slid into a crater. We turned on our flashlights & yes, it was a crater made by the marines during bombing practice. We were riding through a test range!

As we rode along the ridge line we wondered what it was that looked like white gravestones in the moonlight. Surely it was just the moon reflecting off rocks, but it was an eerie feeling. Then out of nowhere, on top that ridge, miles from anywhere, a man walked out from behind one of those rocks. He asked what we were doing. We told him & asked where he'd come from. He just said over there & kept walking. It was very strange & made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Later I learned that it was indeed an old cemetery up on the ridge line & there was nothing around for miles. I still wonder where that man really came from. From under a gravestone maybe?

At about 75 miles I finally decided to eat something. That banana didn't sit well because by 80 miles I was dry heaving over Wraff's shoulder as we trotted through the dark. I'd never gotten motion sick riding in the dark before, why now? Ok, I'll admit I'd never ridden quite that long in the dark before. Not long after I'd lost my banana we were walking through the pitch dark, not able to see our hands before our eyes dark, when a harsh voice shouted "HALT! Who goes there?!" & we heard an alarming number of rifles being snapped into place. YIKES! Someone had forgotten to tell the reserve units that we'd be riding through. Fortunately we were able to clear the matter up without any shots being fired & down the trail we went.

I don't know when Robbi trotted on, leaving Karen & I to fend for ourselves. Probably when she decided riding with 2 rookies at night was just too exciting. Way off in the distance we could hear the songs of Doc Frank Bennett echoing through the night. Somewhere he was back there on his mule Apache. I knew that as long as he was behind us, we were going to be ok & would get to the finish line in time. FINALLY we rode into camp. I don't remember but it was about 2-2:30 & boy was I glad to get off my horse. My crew trotted Wraff out for the final check & the vet said he was a horse who could definitely go back out on the trail. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for me. I was done for the night. Surely my next 100 would be easier & less exciting. I couldn't wait for Tevis 1986 to get here!

Launi Goes Camping

Launi went to his very first camp over Fri night & camped like a pro. He was so quiet all night. Sat morning I took him to the starting line for the 50 milers so he could see all the commotion. He was so good & just quietly watched all the excitement. Then I rode the 10 mile fun ride, playing leapfrog with a few horses & just having fun. Launi helped me train for next week's mud run by making me go first at the creek crossing. lol He wasn't even concerned when riders came trotting & galloping towards us as we finished & they headed out for more miles. He drank from the strange troughs & from the creek. I even managed to get on a bank, crawl on him, & ride bareback a little after playing in a creek Fri afternoon. My little Moose Baby is growing up. :) xoxoxoxo

WHEW! That Was Close

Launi, Launi, Launi. Went for a short ride this morning on my favorite Moose Baby (ok, he's my ONLY Moose Baby lol). We trotted downhill for the first time, just like the big, er older, horses do. We were having so much fun. Then we slow trotted up a steep hill & when we got to a flat spot, the next thing I knew we were airborne. Catching the shadow of our height out of the corner of my eye was pretty scary. I mean like REALLY scary. Haven't been on a buck that high since my Wraff Days. YIKES! Good thing Launi listened to my mad voice "HEY!" & stopped 'cause if he'd added any other naughty movement I'd still be laying out there among the poison oak. Whew, that was close. First time he's bucked & I hope it's the ONLY time. What a BRAT!!!  But not only did I not lose my stirrups, I didn't even lose my shoes.

RIP Sun

Oh Mr. Sun Sun, little did I know that my penchant for rescuing the unwanted horses would someday cause such pain. You were such a gentle soul who gave the greatest gift of all. You offered me your trust. You enriched my life, & that of my dear friend. We will both miss you & hold a place in our hearts for you always.

I will now always regret the day I brought that quarter horse gelding home from the auction. At the time it seemed the right thing to do. A young, healthy horse whose future was in danger. Everyone knows low end auctions are just a step away from the slaughter bound trucks. I just couldn't let a horse with so much potential travel that road. Justin had all the physical attributes to be a good athlete. I had visions of him going down the endurance trail with his effortless trot. Who could have guessed that powerful hindend would someday wreck havoc on one of the sweetest horses I have ever known.

On August 24th, 2011, 2 1/2 years after being saved at auction, Justin cornered Sun, kicking repeatedly & shattering Sun's knee. There was nothing the vet could do but end Mr. Sun Sun's pain. I know it's not rational to blame one horse for kicking another as that's what horses do. But right now I'm not rational & I DO blame Justin. While I hope he makes a great cattle horse for his new owner, I hope to never hear of him again.

Rest in peace sweet Sun. And thank you for sharing your life with me.

I LOVE Launi!

I LOVE Launi! Rode him on the dirt roads behind my dad's place. Had to lead him through the property with all the mares going crazy cause he was leaving. He was sky high & I thought "it's a good day to die". YIKES! Once I got on he was almost an angel. Rode on pavement, vehicles passed us, rode passed cattle, passed a tarp covered boat, & passed a horse who made Launi's eye's big. The first horse (a draft) he's met who was bigger. Poor Launi just realized he's NOT the biggest horse in the universe. LOL

My Beloved Reno

Reno Hancock

(Grey Bill x Alice Reno)

May 18, 1966- February 16, 1981

Bay, registered quarter horse mare

It doesn't seem real that thirty years have passed. My memory is as crisp as if it were yesterday. I'll always think of Valentine's Day 1981 as "hindsight is 20/20". If only...

My husband had taken me to Disneyland for Valentine's Day. We were having a great day with friends when I had to leave to feed Reno her evening meal. Everyone thought I should just call a friend to feed for me, but I needed to see Reno every day. I'd grown up with her & she was my heart. She was the rock who got me through my teens. I never trusted her care to anyone. Once at the stable I turned her out for a run & roll while I cleaned her stall. She was about six weeks from foaling so I was keeping a close eye on her, hoping to see the baby move. I thought she looked a little full, even puffy, in the flanks but no one else seemed to notice when I asked them to look at her. I decided I was just a worrywart so bedded her down & returned to Disneyland for the night.

I knew as soon as I saw Reno the next day that she was extremely ill. I a took a picture of her standing in her stall & the look in her eyes still haunt me. While no one at the stable thought she looked very sick, I KNEW her eyes were telling me she was dying. I don't know how I knew other than Reno & I were that bonded. It was an hour or so before she started acting colicky, showing outward signs of trouble by going down & rolling. The vet was already in route & would later admit that he hadn't believed the vital signs I'd given him over the phone.

Thirty years ago tonight, February 15th, 1981, was the longest night of my life. My best friend sat with me, bundled in sleeping bags, hoping beyond hope that Reno would live. The vet hadn't given very good odds but had been hesitant to make a final decision too soon, so left medications with me for during the night with instructions to call him in the morning. By early morning on February 16th, while the vet was again in route, I lost my beloved Reno. My life shattered as I listened to her last breaths.

There are still times when I think of Reno. Telling her how much she meant to me; how sorry I was for my teenage impatience; thanking her for always being there for me; letting her know that she's the reason I'm the horsewoman I am today; & that I will always love her. Thirty years and my heart still aches for the horse of my youth; for my beloved Reno.

Aristides--Connected Across Time

Aristides

(Leamington x Sarong)

1872-1893 Chestnut Thoroughbred

When I was 9 years old I read the book "Kentucky Derby Winner". It was the story of Aristides, the first winner of the famed Kentucky Derby horse race. It was the story of a courageous little horse who wasn't expected to be the racing superstar he turned out to be. While Aristides had a pedigree that read like a "whose who" of racing, he was small & unimposing & only entered in the Derby to lead the way for another to win. Aristides had the speed to pull the field along until his 1/2 brother, a bigger horse thought to be the best odds to win the first Kentucky Derby, could roll past the field to victory. As Aristides lead the field no horse made a move to overtake him. His jockey knew he wasn't supposed to win, but he also knew he was on the horse who could win. He looked at Aristides' connections as he flew down the stretch, getting a nod to go for the win. The rest is history. Aristides, a little horse with a big heart became the first winner of the biggest horse race of all, The Kentucky Derby.

I don't know how many times I read that book as a kid, knowing that someday I would have a horse named Aristides. That book & that horse gave me a love of thoroughbreds & horse racing that stays with me today. Ever since I read that book the first time I'd had a dream of going to the Kentucky Derby one day. While I still haven't gone to the Derby, in 2008 I had the good fortune to go to Louisville KY, home of the Derby. It was so breathtaking to walk through Churchill Downs racetrack, following the path of so many great horses. Standing by the rail I could almost hear their thundering hooves roll by. The names of all the Derby winners are hung for all to see on the grounds of Churchill Downs. The twin spires tower regally over the stands, overlooking the track. I passed the barn that housed Secretariat the year he won the Derby. I saw the stall that was Lil ET's. The Kentucky Derby Museum is a treasure trove of Derby memorabilia, complete with video/film footage of all the winners since film was available. I know I spent hours watching every clip. Big Brown won in 2008 & I took pictures of the statue painted in his colors. Then I took the walking tour & what a wonderful surprise when I found a gorgeous statue surrounded by roses. Imagine the flutter of my heart when I read the name on that statue--Aristides.

DreamCatchr Aristides

(DreamCatcher Alshain x DC Kobayashi Wrain)

7/8 arab/morgan cross

On Valentine's Day 2009 a gorgeous chestnut filly was born to one of my favorite mares. Soon after her birth I was scheduled to be back in Louisville & I had plans to tour Churchill Downs again. I knew before my filly was born that I'd found my Aristides. She was a beautiful chestnut with a star & 3 white socks. I said her name as she struggled to stand for the first time. She paused & listened as if she knew I was calling her name. Aristides & I have a special bond. Anytime she saw me or I called to her, she would coming running across the pasture. She would whinny, flip her tail over her back & prance up to me. Laying her head on my shoulder she blew warm air on neck. She would come through the hotwire fence to get to me.

Then one day things changed. She decided I was the enemy after receiving her vaccinations. It was weeks before I could touch her, & then only if I had nothing in my hands. It was months before she decided that I was friend & she started laying her head on my shoulder once again. But sadly she never ran across the pasture to greet me again. In those trying months she bonded with the other fillies & decided that I was just a human, not her special person. I hate to admit that it broke my heart. Not long ago my Aristides went to live with a very good friend. I'm excited for her because one day she'll not only grace the showring, but she's destined to go down the endurance trail in style. My friend will do right by her & bring out all her potential. It was bittersweet when my friend told me how Aristides run across the pasture to greet her, whinnying as she comes. She leaves the other horses behind to spend time with her special person.

I will always love both my Aristides. One a legend from the past, the other one that I'll get to watch grow & excel, & know that I was her first special person.