Endurance Ride yesterday - quick report

[gemma]

For those that are interested.

Marigold, my Mum (my fab crew!) and I made the long 2hr trek down to Pyecombe for a 34km Graded Ride.

Pony loaded and travelled brilliantly. A little reluctant to load on the way home but a gentle touch on the hocks with a lunge line and she went straight on.

Marigold hated the going. A lot of very hard chalk tracks with a lot of flints! She was also on her own for the whole ride and frankly couldn't see the point on a couple of occasions! Still, we got a good average speed (10.8kph) and the views were just breathtaking! Those of you who live on the South Downs are very lucky.

Anyway, heart rates were 46/48 and we got a grade 2 which I am so pleased about. Particularly after a long journey. And I did the ride in a bosal, and she went brilliantly. No pulling at all!!!

I haven't loaded the pics my Mum took but these are some of the official ones:

On the way out:

radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image363.html

radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image366.html

radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image367.html

radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image367.html

About 3km from home:
radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image889.html

radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image890.html

radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image894.html

Hope you enjoyed the pics!!

[amelia]

wow well done you - Marigold looks fab x

[Emily+Meg]

Looking good!

I really like this pic - radfoto.co.uk/20060618DevilsDyke/imagepages/image894.html haha poser cheesy grin.

Got your email! And on the subject of riding my horse, I do have some recent pics to post

[gemma]

Thanks.

Emily - cheesy grin?! You bet! I was having a blast. I'm finally fulfilling my dream.

Hurry up and post those pics!

[enduro]

You look fab together - well done

PS - have PM'd you

[noblesteed]

Hi gemma,
You and marigold look great together! Sounds like you had a really successful day, well done!
Great you got it captured in photos. By the way, can i be nosey and ask what saddle you ride in?

Thanks.

[gemma]

Noblesteed - it's a Dartmoor treefree, Western model. Marigold and I both love it!

[Emily+Meg]

My pics are up now Gemma!

[Gem & Spencer]

well done, lovely pics - I especially like the ones on the way home where marigold has her tongue out!

[gemma]

Thanks guys. Gem - I giggled at those ones too. Bless her, she was exhausted but still tried her heart out for me. She's a lovely mare - really honest, but only once she decides you're worthy!

[kas]

Fantastic photos, I bet Tom would like one of those for his Treefree website - have you thought of telling him where to look?
You look so cool and relaxed with your bosal, I don't see anyone else bitless, were there some? All you need now is a feather in Marigold's mane and a handprint on her bum

[gemma]

Good thought KAS - I'll point Tom in the right direction. BTW, I picked up a saddle pad from him and it seems to be working a treat. Lots of prolite padding and a good clear channel.

I saw a couple of people in a Dr Cooks but we were definitely in the minority!! TBH, I think we were a bit of a novelty to some people as we set off - I love proving people wrong.

If she has to wear a feather and a handprint, does that mean I have dress as a squaw?! Could be fun....!

[kas]

Why not? I bet you get plenty of looks with your gear as it is, so why not just go for it? ;D

[arabmania]

great pics
looks like you had a great ride.
well done ;D

[pip]

Interesting to see that you are cantering in both sets of pictures. What proportion is canter to trot/walk?

I wouldn't have know that was a treeless saddle, it looks really good.