Almost the perfect end to a great season but lots of lessons learned, non the less

Bunny and I had a fantastic season. We had a lot of fun, a lot of firsts and learned a lot. We were going to wrap up our prefect season at the Jubilee Ranch Ride with our first 75.

I was trying to get over a nasty cold but that wasn't about to stop me. We started off that morning, more prepared and more relaxed than every before. We found our groove just a few miles in, you know that place where you can both relax and get to work. There were still the moments when Bunny would ask “Do you want me to take em” and I would say “ No, we're riding our own ride” but all and all things were going great!

I was particularly proud of myself because I was able to be the most relaxed I've ever been. I know riding stressed and tense takes it's toll on both of us so I was proud of myself that I was able to relax. We were both conserving our energy.

The first loop we rode by ourselves some and with two other galls part of the time. Just a few miles from camp, we were coming around the edge of an orchard (I knew it was slick and had just slowed down to a walk, all be it Bunny's power walk) and Bunny slipped on some very wet grass and went down, on my foot. She went down so fast that by the time my brain registered it we were down. I took a minute to get up, as my foot hurt like the dickens but then it began to ease up, I caught my horse, mounted up and headed into camp. I knew right then we might not finish but I didn't want to admit that to myself. I was determined to stick it out to the very end, I was tough enough... right?

The next loop was good, my foot hurt but nothing I couldn't handle. Bunny was going like a champ. All A's on the vet card, I couldn't ask for more. Over the next hold my foot began to hurt a little more and a few miles into the third loop I knew I was in trouble. By the middle of the loop I was doing Lamaze breathing, without even thinking about it, every time I went down a hill. My foot was KILLING me. I told myself, just get through this loop and maybe on your hold, with the help of some ibuprofen, it will ease up. That was some really wishful thinking.

When I got off my horse at the end of that loop (50 miles in) I knew in my heart it was over. I couldn't put any weight on my foot. It took two people to help me to the bathroom, talk about embarrassing. Did I call it then, absolutely not, I waited my entire hold hoping for a miracle, but instead of my foot easing up it got worse by the minute. I tried to dream up a way that I could ride 25 more miles but just couldn't come up with any. At the end of my hold my mom, who had done a great job in biting her tong this entire time, asked me what I was going to do. I had held it together till that point but when I went to say the words “I don't think I can ride any more” tears started streaming down my cheeks. It almost killed me to pull. My horse was sitting there looking like a million bucks and ready to go back out again. I know without a doubt that she had 25 miles left in her and if it wouldn't have been for my foot so would I. Everybody who saw me from that point on must have thought I was a big baby, because the tears wouldn't stop. I think I had spent every bit of energy, physical and emotional, trying to keep going and now I was spent and really disappointed.

That one pull was the end of a lot of things. You see this really was going to be a great end to the season. We were going to have 260 miles for the season and get the PNER 250 mile achievement award, we were going to be the first newbie 75er to finish and get a $75 gift certificate for Crazy Legs Tights and we were going to finish our first 75 mile ride in style and before dark and continue my 100% completion record (with both my horses). But it wasn't meant to be.

Later a friend commented that she bet I wished I would have just entered the 50, but I don't. I'm glad I did what I did. I know a lot more about myself and my horse. Here's few of the good things I learned.

I know we are both capable of 75 miles and probably more, scary thought! I was relaxed, able to get my horse relaxed, both of us were eating and drinking great and enjoying our miles.

I know I thrive on my plans and that's okay, embrace it but don't be afraid to stop for a minute and make a new plan if the need arises. I went into this ride the most prepared I've ever been and it was great! I've gotten more and more deliberate about my plan and this time I wrote it all out. My mom was kind enough to crew of me so I wrote out a two page plan. It had each loop, how long it was, time range I planned to complete it in and what I wanted available at the hold and what I needed to do during my hold time. Things ran like clockwork!

I'm learning to be able to relax even in the midst of the unknown and that's a great thing, not just when it comes to riding.

I think everyone should do a little risk assessment on themselves and their horse from time to time. Make sure that at the end of the day you don't have any regrets. This year has kind of been a tough year for our sport. We've had moralities, both horse and human and I think it can't help but make all of us think a little bit. This was the first time in years I had really hurt myself and it made me think. From time to time we all need to evaluate the risks we take. Examine how we ride, the kind of equipment we use, our horse and their training, etc... I'm not going to quite riding, but at the end of the day I don't want to be taking unnecessary risks, either. I want to do everything I can to ride as safe as I can. Looking at our little wreck the only thing that might have changed it would have been riding alone or in front. I know my horse pays a little more attention when we are alone, or in front. That being said I didn't feel like she wasn't paying attention and at the end of the day she still might have fallen. I will still ride with others from time to time it's just something to keep in the back of my mind and be aware of.

Bunny and I don't need an award to tell us we did a good job. I have to admit I was pretty bummed about not getting an award. Since I started riding Bunny I feel like a lot of people cheer for us, people from Greener Pastures, Bunny's breeder and lots of other friends and family. I guess I felt like having an award to brag about would prove we are worth cheering for. A good friend of mine sent me a message shortly after Jubilee. She said she was amazed how far Bunny and I had come in one season. We started out only having done 25 mile rides and by the end of the season we can finish in the top 10 on 50's (if we choose) and know we can finish longer distances as well. I guess we have accomplished a lot, even if we won't have an award to prove it.

Now I'll wrap up my lengthy saga by saying that the people in this sport rock! When I got hurt I was surrounded by people asking how they could help, coming to check and see how I was and telling me there would be another ride where things would go better!

Here's looking forward to next season.

 Bunny and I on our second loop. 

Another fantastic photo by Jessica Anderson.

p.s. After 8 weeks my foot is getting close to being back to normal. I still have some work to do to regain my muscle and flexibility. It's amazing how quick you can lose those things. Thank God for my friend who is a Physical Therapy Assistant!