It’s 10:30 p.m. I am home alone. Pete’s at Ride Camp with Tyra. Ride Camp is a school parking lot filled with trailers, horses, riders, and friends. This time, all total, there are 17 horses and 17 riders. When Pete organized the ride, there were close to 50 horses and riders. This was over at the Saddle Up arena, which was an actual horse facility.

The Pathways School parking lot is working out well. It has a very harmonious feel about it. Of course, I am kicking myself for not taking a risk and saying I’ll see what happens and riding Raudi.

Ivana from Healy at P&R

Today was a very good first day for Pete and Tyra. They, along with their riding partners, Terri and Dinni, made it down the steep hill and had a good time riding the remaining 14 miles.

I got to Ride Camp around noon and got a lift to the Pulse and Respiration site. I watched as the remaining horses had their body condition checked, then went backwards up a steep slope.

I was concerned because Pete and Tyra were nowhere in sight. When, finally, the organizers had a spare moment, they told me that the pair had already gone through and were on their way back to Ride Camp.

I of course breathed a sigh of relief.

When I got back there, I went to the top of the steep hill so as to watch the riders who were coming back to Ride Camp climb it. I was lying in the grass, reading Heather Lende’s Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs when Pete and Terri, nearly at the top of the hill, startled me. They were first and moving at a good clip. Terri said that they were doing as they were told to do, which was to maintain good momentum.

Pete went back to his trailer and Terri went back to hers. I assisted Pete in sponging down Tyra, who at first was jumpy but then calmed down. We moved her to the other side of the trailer, where she had shade and horsey company.

Pete and Terri’s stories came forth in bits and pieces. Tyra kicked at dog, really just warned her, and did the same when Dinni attempted to pass her. Tyra backed up the hill but stopped several times. The pair rested a few miles before the end, at a picnic table, then realized they’d better hoof it – that otherwise, they’d lose time.

I talked with the one other male rider, an older fellow who seemed to me to be dreadfully out of shape. He was slouched in a chair when we talked, for about twenty minutes or so, and did not move. His Rocky Mountain horse was in a corral attached to his trailer. He wasn’t moving much either.

I took off right before tomorrow’s ride briefing. It was a tough day for me because I felt out of place, not riding and all. I was also headachy.

Tomorrow’s ride will be shorter and there will be no lunch break. I will purchase flowers for the judges beforehand.

Next: 205. 7/28/24: All Done