Starting out Cartman and I headed into Longview to Willow Grove Park. We were meeting up with a group of riders that I really enjoy taking the young horses out with. They ride at this park on nice days and are really fun. Its great exposure for C to get out, see some new stuff, and be around a larger group of horses.
 |
| Cartman watches fishermen lining up for the boat launch |
 |
| Cartman watches the launch |
 |
| Cartman spies an attractive log home across from the park |
 |
| We took a break from the action to snap a couple of pictures |
 | |||||
| Heading back down the beach to the trailer, Cartman admires the Columbia River. |
By the time we got back to Castle Rock it was noon. I set C up in his stall with some hay a two full buckets of water. I went in for a little snack and to check Weather.com.
About 2pm I headed back out and loaded up for round two.
Just as I was leading C out to the trailer I saw Michelle pulling out with her truck and horse trailer. I bet we're going to the same place, I thought.
Todd tucked the dogs into the back of the truck and we drove the short two miles to the jogging path trailhead on Cooks Ferry Road.
Its been quite a while since I've hauled out twice in one day! But the reason was to try something out.
Don't laugh.
Yes, its my 16.2 hand leggy TB in a Crates Reining Saddle. Doesn't he look adorable???
Yesterday Todd and I headed up to the big yearly sale at Tack Room Too in Olympia. The big draw was 20quart buckets for only $6.99! Ivermectin for $2.79! I really needed to stock up on buckets and they are almot $14 at the local feed store. Ridiculous.
So, I have had a dressage saddle for sale now, off and on, for three years or so. It is a Max Hopfner saddle imported from Germany and very well made. Unfortunately it was also very very narrow and did not have the humongous thigh blocks so popular now in dressage. I guess you could say it was a great older saddle, just "out of style". I called Tack Room Too to see if they would be interested in taking it on consignment and they said possibly, or could take it in trade on a new saddle. Hmmm.
I really needed another saddle. You never know, I might actually find someone someday that wants to ride Dazzby or Taj! Crossing fingers. Unfortunately I only had one saddle that would fit any of them. I love my Specialized. Love it. But they just jumped the price up on new ones and I can't see buying a Specialized in the Western Style, with horn and all.
So there it is. My mid-life crisis. Hard to believe that a dyed-in-the-wool life-long english hunter/jumper rider would ever do it but I did.
Here's a few more pics, but look fast, its Washington in sunlight!
7 comments:
Oh you thoughtful person! I'd much rather ride a strange horse in a reining saddle than in a dressage/treeless saddle - eeek. What's C think?
Not laughing - just chuckling! I think the two of you look very "Western"! If it works & you like it - that's the test!
Love the sunshine photos & views of the water!
Looked at the photos full size & Really like the fit & color of your new saddle! Did you get the breast collar with it?
Funder-C is pretty agreeable so far. I checked his back tonite and he had no sore areas or reaction.
Connie- The saddle looks pretty dark in the photos, its actually a mahogany color with black suede seat.
Would you believe it, every thing is sold seperately! The flank cinch, cinch, and breast collar were all add-ons. Thankfully I already had a saddle pad.
So, we'll see you and Cartman AND A WESTERN SADDLE at HOTR in a few weeks. Right?
Hee hee, I can just see me trying to get the saddle back on him if I removed it at a hold! Its amazing how light the Specialized is, 17lb I think. This saddle is light for a western saddle at 27lb but not really built for endurance.
But.... I could probably train in the western saddle and then he'd feel really peppy with the Specialized on at a ride :)
Sort of like my idea to move to Santa Fe and train racehorses at the high elevation there and then haul down to sea level to run them. I never did get to try that one.
Post a Comment