Freight Train!

I just totally love the fall! Nice temps, gorgeous colors, and beautiful blue skies! Jetta and I met Tammy up in the canyon to ride around the Ponderosa Loop trail. Actually Tammy was there before we were; Jetta and I headed up the trail to chase her and Joker down! They had a 15 minute head start, but Jetta thundered up the trail like she was on a vital mission. She just ate up the mountain like it was nothing! I actually love riding the freight train. I am able to rate her, but if I let her choose the pace, it's FAST!

We caught up to Tammy and Joker and settled into a more relaxed, sociable pace! It truly was a glorious day to be out there. I found I was quite comfortable in the new (albeit squeaky!) Ortho-flex saddle, and Jetta seemed comfortable as well. She offered to canter several times and showed no attitude, pinned ears or anything undesirable! We trotted and walked the rest of the loop, enjoying the day.

Just before dropping down to the gate near the creek at the end of the loop, Jetta and I said good-bye to our friends and turned around to retrace our steps the way we had come. Jetta thought about arguing with me about leaving her buddy, but got over it very quickly and set off like a freight train again. She climbed like a machine nearly all the way to the top of the loop. Finally I slowed her and we continued more reasonably. Halfway down the other side we ran into another trail rider coming up the trail. We said hello and carried on our way back to the river and our trailer.

Jetta did those eleven or so miles with no real challenge. She is fit and ready (at least physically!) to go to Moab at the end of the month to try her hoof at a 25 mile ride. We've got another couple of days to ride, then I'm heading off to Equissage California to do a course in equine sports massage therapy while she rests up a bit. I'll be gone a week, then have a day or two to do a couple of easy rides with Jetta, then head for ride camp four hours away. Whew. After that, I think I'll rest.