Tuesday October 4 2011
Liz and Neil Smallwood, managers of the Old Selam endurance ride, came all the way out to our Owyhee Canyonlands 5-day ride just to have dinner and visit one night, and to give out a few awards from their ride that didn't get handed out there.
One was for JOSE VIOLA!
We'd finished 10th in the 50, and showed for Best Condition, though we had no shot at that (BC is based on vet scores of condition, on the CRI - cardiac recovery index, weight carried, and finish time) - we really showed just to do it and because I was able to trot Jose out all the way to the cone!
On the final results tabulations, Jose had tied for High Vet Score (which doesn't take weight or finish time into account)!! Jose's name had just been overlooked, and I didn't find out till after the ride. Just knowing he got High Vet Score was exciting enough, but Liz and Neil had brought an award for him - a cool Rhythm Bead Necklace! Red, of course, for Jose's favorite color.
Additionally, for his 5-day Best Condition award here at the Owyhee Canyonlands, he was awarded a new bridle/breastcollar/reins donated by Nancy Mitts at Stablegear Tack.
I think it all looks pretty smashing on him, but then, I might be a bit biased.
: )
Very pretty!
ReplyDeletejan
I have two horses now and I am not really interested in showing... but endurance riding really thrills me. I need to learn about it and learn about preparing a horse for such a trek (and myself). I live in NC... but do you know of any websites, organizations that I can key into and start learning more about this... sport (is that the right word?)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your accomplishment! :)
Thanks Jan and Margaret. Margaret, that's an excellent idea! Check out AERC.org - they have a ton of information on endurance riding to help you get started, plus a mentoring program. A mentor can always help you learn/see things you won't necessarily learn by reading.
ReplyDeleteFind a mentor here: http://www.aerc.org/Education_Mentor.asp. Also check out Endurance.net - more info and news about endurance riding at home and around the world.
Get started! it's a blast! See you on the trails one day!
Jose looks fabulous in his new adornments. Well deserved!
ReplyDeleteCongrats !!! Love the bling and new tack.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links - I am also interested in endurance riding.
He does look great in his well-deserved bling!
ReplyDeleteHis new tack looks AWESOME!!!!!!! Yay for BEST CONDITIONED JOSE!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteA whole new wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteway to go jose!
ReplyDeleteIs Jose practicing the rhythm method with those beads?
ReplyDeleteJose's GOT rhythm!!
ReplyDelete