The end of the season - it wasn't the season I had hoped for but that's okay!

To tell you the truth, I am struggling not to be kind of bummed out about how this season turned out. I keep reminding myself of all the good things.

For one thing I saw a tone of progress in my lovely mare, in every way. Fitness wise she reached a whole new level. The last few conditioning rides I had preparing for the Hallowed Weenies ride she was focused, she was carrying herself like a pro and she was the fastest she had ever been and she was loving every minute of it, and so was I!

Even more then the fitness side, however, I am thrilled at the progress I've seen on the mental front. She didn't loose it once this season. Yes, she had times she was full of it but she was manageable. We were able to start someplace other then the very back, we were able to ride with complete strangers, almost from the very beginning and have her relax. First ride of the year we rode with Patty and it took Bunny quite a bit to relax. At Oregon 100 I rode with Hannah and her mare and Bunny started to relax almost at once. Now don't get me wrong, she is still all business. That horse hates messing around, but she was relaxed in her all business mode. And let me tell you that is a thing of beauty.

At the first vet check at Sunriver she needed a little reminder about how to behave like a lady. At the first vet check at OR 100 the pulser wasn't sure what she was doing. I was squatted down on the ground in front of Bunny, she had her head down and did not move a muscle for the several minute it took the pulser to figure things out. I was so proud of her, there were horses coming and going and almost running her over and there she stood, like a champ.

This season I just saw a whole new level of maturity from her and it makes me so excited for the future.

The reason I'm bummed is because due to one thing after another I didn't get to ride anywhere near the kind of miles I would have liked to. First ride of the season, Dean (who hauls Bunny for me) had an old retired horse pass away just as he was packing up to leave for the ride. Just one of those things.

Because of my job, running a daycare and preschool out of my home, I can't just change plans at the blink of an eye, I have to give people several weeks notice before I take a day off. So when something comes up and I can't do a ride, that makes it hard.

We did April Daze, which was great. I was able to warm Bunny up right in the middle of everyone and she was calm and focused, I can't even tell you how big that was.

Mt. Adams I was so excited to do 75 miles. I did that last year and loved it. I knew she was a lot more fit this year and I couldn't wait to do it again. But alas I got pneumonia and riding 55 miles took all I had.

Sunriver we rode the 100. That is one of those days that I will always remember. It was just great, start to finish. I was so proud of myself, so proud of my horse and we just had a great time, all day and even came in second place. That was definitely the highlight of the season for us!

Next I was really looking forward to Santiam. I was going to get to ride my 75, but then fire season put and end to that and the ride was canceled. Bummer but I found out in enough time that I made plans to do Prator Mt. Instead, only 50 miles but it would be a great tune up for Oregon 100.

But Bunny had to go and be crazy chasing Syd around and bang herself all up. I just didn't feel quite 100% about her so I made the tough choice to sit it out.

Even though we didn't complete at Oregon 100 I don't feel bad about that ride. My horse was awesome for the 75 miles that we went. I could tell she was in even better shape then she had been at Sunriver. She was so good and it was exciting to see her progress.

I also learned from the situation and will be able to manager her better on 100 mile rides from here on out. I will do a better job of stopping to think about all aspects of the ride and how shes doing and if everything isn't 100% the way I know she can be, take steps early to hopefully get us back on track again.

So then I was really hoping to get to do one last ride. Bunny is fit and she is “on”. She is focused and ready to do business!

We were going to have a great Batman theme for Halloween and have one great last ride which would clear us 250 miles (we only have 205) and hopefully give me enough points to stay in the top 25 for PNER awards.

End of the season body condition shot, and of course you have to appreciate my bat clip :)

But alas it wasn't meant to be. Dean's horse got scratches and he couldn't get them cleared up in enough time and I couldn't find Bunny another ride.

So there you have it.

The good news is, none of this means bad things for the future. Bunny is 100% and I can't wait to see the horse she will be next season, because I have a feeling it's even better than this season so watch out!

So I'm trying to put my disappointment aside and be thankful for all the great things I have like a spectacular horse, great friends to ride with, a friend to haul my horse to rides since I am still to broke to own a truck or trailer. A wonderful husband, mother and in-laws who all know how much this means to me and they make sure I get the time to ride. I am truly blessed.

So here's to next year! I know I want to try to ride two 100 mile rides, other than that, not sure. I'm pondering.