Trails from the Crypt, Sumner, Maine October 2008

Cindy on Marie and Bonnie on River


The last ride of the season, and one of the best. I was taking my horse Marie. My friend Bonnie was going and it would be her mule, River’s, first CTR. The weather was predicted to be good, if a bit cool. We were excited though I was sure going to miss riding Ruby.

We headed out after Bonnie got off work and arrived around 3:00 pm. We quickly set up the pen and turned out Marie and River with hay and water. Though they were most interested in the lush green grass. As we were setting up camp, Terry York came down from the vetting area and asked if we could get up to the vetting as soon as possible since we were the last ones to be vetted and they could be done. So, we went up immediately. Bonnie and I decided to switch equines for the trot outs. River had not been previously trained to trot in hand or on a lounge line. I had worked with him a few times the week before the ride so we thought it would be best if I did his trot out. Marie is an old pro at trot outs so that would be fine with Bonnie. River did great. He was a bit confused but did fine. Bonnie and Marie did great also and we both passed the vetting with flying colors.

After settling River and Marie back into the pen, Bonnie and I finished setting up camp then headed over to the house. The Ride manager, Laura, opens her house for the ride. It is wonderful since it can be cold this time of year and nice to have somewhere warm to hang out and socialize. And, Laura always has lots of good food. We ate, then there was a brief ride meeting. Then we just visited with everyone until it was time to go to bed. It was cold overnight but Bonnie and I both came prepared with our 0º sleeping bag, down comforters and plenty of warm clothes.

The hard part was getting up in the morning……but not too bad. At least there was no wind. That makes a difference at this ride site at it is in a huge open field on the side of a mountain. There was ice on the top of the water buckets. River and Marie had been pretty quiet overnight and we slept quite well. We got up, fed the critters and quickly headed into the house for some breakfast and coffee. Before long, it was time to saddle up. We mounted up to warm up about 20 min. before out ride time. I could tell Bonnie was a bit worried about how River would handle everything. And when we went up to the drive way, where everyone was riding to warm up, River spun back once as it worries him just a bit to have thing coming at him head on. But, we waited for a quiet space and went up onto the driveway and he was fine. Pretty soon, it was our turn to head out. Susie was riding with us. At the last minute, Marsha Deleware asked if she could join us also. Ride management ok’d it and we all headed out together. We were glad to have Marsha along. Bonnie was very worried right at first. River was a bit excited and she wanted to keep it slow. But, we headed right off at a trot sure that he would settle right out in no time. He did and was wonderful the whole ride.

Cindy on Marie, Marsha on Piper and Bonnie on River



We made very good time. At the hold, I had some trouble getting Marie pulsed down. She wasn’t high enough to worry about but just over the max. FINALLY, she came down and it was a rush to get out of the hold on time. We didn’t make it and were about 5 min. over. But, the trail was easy and we were ahead of time coming into the hold so weren’t worried.

The second loop went great. We had to slow down a bit so we wouldn’t come in too early. And even then, we had to stop in the field near the finish line and let the horses and mule graze a bit before we could cross the line. That was good for Marie though. I would not have to worry about getting her pulsed down at the end. Bonnie and I traded equines for the trot out again. River was not worn out for sure and he was still a bit confused about the whole trot out thing. He took right off, bucked and kicked and cantered a few circles before settling into a trot! Silly mule! Marie did her usual lackluster trot. Though Bonnie added a bit of excitement by dropping her lead rope. Marie nearly completed the trot out on her own before realizing she was loose and wandering off across the arena. Hands on went uneventfully.

We settled River and Marie back into their pen with hay and water and went into the house for the meal and to wait for the awards. The meal was fabulous!! And then awards …. (drum roll) ….. Bonnie got 4th place overall with a score of 99 with River!! Yippee!!! And we later learned there was a 4 way tie for 1st place all with a score of 99. The mule did us proud!!!!





Cindy doing final trot out with River


Trail from the Crypt 25 Oct 18, 2008 20/S-F
Judges: L. Buggia DVM - J. Brunjes
J1. SA Mr Madazsin / Potter, Christina
J2. Dew Drops Te Party / Buckley, Sarah
1. Slar Alladins Storm / Seams, Peter
1. Alar Enchanted Safire / Seams, Cynthia
1. Attala / Dockham, Peg
1. River / Hinz, Bonnie
5. Innis Free / Palmer, Judy
5. Aramis / Robbins, Kathleen
7. Michabou KT Brigadear / Rice, Stephanie
8. SS Polar Ice / York, Cara
9. MacKenzie / Reinheimer, Susan
9. SPD Carousel / O'Connor, Colleen
11. Nikademus / De Falco, Sarah
12. Nerzans Lady Mariah / Bonneau, Heather
13. Marie / Ross, Cindy (93.75 pts)
14. Potaca / Rice, Bill
15. Kheme-o-Alexs / Fortucci, Ashley
15. Highcountry Piper / Deleware, Marsha
17. Miss Dixie / Abbott, Melissa
18. Cliffes Copper Penny / Buckley, Stephanie

Trails from the Crypt, Sumner, Maine October 2007

Another great ride and the last CTR of the season. Barbara went with me and was riding Marie. We arrived at the ride site on Friday about 11:00. It was VERY foggy and drizzling but not all that cold. There were not all that many people at the ride when we arrived so we had our choice of places to park. We parked near the turnout for Laura and Steve’s horses. They are the farm owners that were hosting the ride. The turnout is sold pipe panel fencing so seemed a nice safe place to set up our portable fence. We quickly set up the pen and turned Ruby and Marie out with lots of hay and water. The ride site is held at a farm that is absolutely beautiful. Up on a hill with gorgeous view. The farm owners/ride managers open their home to everyone for the weekend and they have such a lovely home.

I only had my low slip on Bean boots and soon had wet feet and pants to my knees! Sure glad it was not cold! I was going to steal Barbara’s boots from her (yes, she was smart enough to bring them) but she has such a tiny foot I figured I wouldn’t even get my big toe in her boots. After Marie and Ruby were settled in, we went to the house to register and get a cup of coffee. When we went back out, Susie had arrived. She brought both of her horses. Rocky, a girl we had met on our Ireland vacation last year, was riding her horse, MacKenzie. Rocky is a studayn at Bowdoin College and was coming up to the ride later in the evening after she got out of classes.

At 3:30 PM we went up to get vetted in. I was so foggy we couldn’t even see the arena where the vetting was being held from our trailers. Ruby vetted in with no problem. She was a good girl and did a very nice trot out. Including lounging the circles. My horse was actually just a bit lame on the left front but not bad enough that the vet pulled her from the ride. He told us he would just keep a close eye on her through the ride.

After getting vetted in, we all hung out in my trailer to visit and have some snacks. Marie was having FITS about Laura’s horses in her turnout. They were hanging right at the fence near my pen. Marie was jealously guarding Ruby from them. She would herd Ruby to one side of the pen away from them, then rush at them like she was going to kill. Shaking her head, rearing, striking and kicking. She looked like some wild enraged stallion! I have NEVER seen my horse act like that in the 16 yrs. I’ve owned her. I was afraid she was going to run Ruby though the far side of the fence! Or trample one of us if we were in the pen. I finally had to go in the pen with a whip and really get after her to quit it before someone got hurt. Marie knows me well enough to know when I’m serious so she finally quite and settled for keeping herself between them and Ruby and just glared at them. I was sure happy when Laura put her horses in for the night.

The riders meeting was at 6:00 PM. Laura made that short and sweet and we went straight to the snack buffet provided for us. Due to the predicted bad weather for Friday night, a lot of people that had entered the ride decided not to come. Wimps!!!! There was a horrible storm at this ride last year. It was cold, it poured rain and the winds were so strong that it rocked the trailers HARD! Since Barbara and I had survived that storm no worse for the wear, we decided this one could be no worse. Rocky finally showed up sometime a little after 7:00 PM. Susie was very relieved when she finally arrived. We headed back to the trailers around 8:30 PM. It was now starting to rain pretty steady. We put rain sheets on Ruby and Marie. Though I wasn’t really convinced they needed them since it was quite warm. Susie was quite worried about her horses. After going to bed, I woke up when I heard Susie loading her horses into her trailer to get them out of the rain. Later, I woke up again when I heard her unloading them because the rain had let up. Then again I woke to hear her loading them up once again because it was raining hard again. And later yet, she unloaded them. When I did check on mine, Marie was busy eating hay and Ruby was laying down taking a snooze. Good enough for me.

It was still raining when we got up at 5:00 AM. We fed Ruby and Marie then went to the house for some breakfast. One poor woman had gotten kicked square in the face while feeding her horse and had to go to the hospital. Broken nose, teeth, split lip and mild concussion! It has stopped raining by the time we went back out to saddle up. Yeah!!!! Susie and Rocky were going out ahead of Barbara and I. We tacked up and had about 10 min. to walk Ruby and Marie around to warm them up. Soon, our numbers were called and we were on the trail. This ride is on great trails. It is somewhat hilly with lots of nice dirt roads and woods roads. No pavement. Ruby was awesome and started out strongly. It wasn’t long before we caught up with Susie and Rocky. Cara York was riding with them also. Susie was having a very bad time with her horse Cody. He was pulling her arms out of the sockets and was a bit out of control. Rocky was having a tough time of it also. This was stirring up Cara’s horse, Laureado. Susie didn’t want to stay in a big group so we went ahead. But, then she would catch up with us because she couldn’t hold Cody back. If she went ahead, we would keep catching up with her. About ¾ of the way though the first loop, 2 riders passed us going a bit faster then we were going. Barbara and I hooked up with them and went on ahead fast enough to keep ahead of Susie for a while. We did the first loop and came into the hold in good time. Ruby breezed through the hold pulsing in at 38! with a respiration of 8. Marie was good too. Pulsing at 54. Very normal for her. We got held up in the vetting line at the hold so were late getting out. We could have requested extra time added since it wasn’t our fault but knew we could finish on time so didn’t bother. The second loop was the same as the first. Ruby was actually stronger on the second loop and made me work at rating her speed. She didn't misbehave at all, just going strong and so much fun to ride! I just had a blast. Marie was also stronger on the second loop.

Ruby is definitely making some mule converts here. The judge mentioned that she had been watching Ruby out on the trail and what a beautiful mover Ruby is. Then went on to say, "I have to defend my chosen breed here though, I think your mule gets her beautiful movement from her Arabian breeding." I told her she didn't have to defend anything, I fully agreed with her. Ruby definitely moves like an Arabian. We finished the ride in good time. It was quite warm by the time we finished but Ruby easily pulsed right down to 40. Marie pulsed at 48. Ruby was a complete lady for the final vetting and did another good trot out. Not perfect but she is definitely getting the idea and doing well.

Once we were done, we settled Ruby and Marie into their pen with lots of hay and water to let them rest. We all went into the house for the catered buffet supper. And it was wonderful! After eating and socializing, they had the award ceremony. Ruby and I got 7th place out of 20 riders. Ruby had a very good score of 97. She got 1.5 points off for wind puffs. And 1/4 point off for slight change in "anal tone" Hummmm. And 1/4 point off for "willingness". Meaning her trot out at the end of the ride was not quite as animated as the one at the start. The vet did say there were a lot of ties and they had to really nit pick to decide the placings. Marie got a score of 90. She was still slightly "off", but was much better then when she started. When we went back out to pack up. Ruby was laying down taking a snooze. Barbara cut up some apples and put them in two pans to give to them. She went into the pen and Ruby just waited for Barbara to serve them to her. Barbara put the pan by her and she ate them laying down! It was so funny watching her. So, that is the end of my CTR season. I am really looking forward to the NJ endurance ride coming up in three weeks and Ruby's first 50 miler!!!




Trails from the Crypt 25 Oct 20, 2007 21/S - 20/F
Judges: L. Buggia / J. Brunjes
J1. AD Laureado / York, Cara
1. Thunder / Stygles, Amanda
2. Enchanted Safire / Seams, Cynthia
2. GBA Karaloram / Sewell, Judy
4. SS Polar Ice / York, Theresa
5. Cliffes Copper Penny / Buckley, Stephanie
6. Beckie / Dockham, Peg
7. McAllister's Ruby / Ross, Cindy (96.75 pts)
8. Salt / Barbosa, hernan
8. MacKenzie / Cornelius, Roxanne
8. Xavier Sunnyacres / Reinheimer, Susan
11. Cattila Lee / Haijar, Pam
11. Cindi Jo's Velvet / Levasseur, Kathy
13. Beaujolais / Arsenault, Rich
14. Aladdins, Storm / Seams, Peter
14. Thunder / Vienneau, Mindy
16. Marie / McGovern, Barbara (90.75 pts)
16. SPD Carousel / O'Connor, Colleen
MCO:
EPYC / Rice, Bill
Prymtym / Rice, Stephanie

Trails from the Crypt, Sumner, Maine October 2006

Well, Emma Jane and I survived our last CTR of the season. Emma Jane has had problems with intermittent lameness ever since I brought her home a year ago. Never totally lame or anything that anyone can pinpoint. But, lame enough to know that something is wrong. But, she had been going nice and sound for 3 weeks prior to the ride so I had hopes for a good competition. Friday was a horrible day. Rained all day. Barbara and I headed out for the ride about 2PM. We arrived at about 3:30PM. When we arrived we unloaded Emma Jane and Marie took them right away to get vetted in. It was raining, but not too hard at that moment. Emma Jane trotted out beautifully. Hands on went very well with Emma Jane behaving excellent. Though her eyes bugged out and she nearly sat down when the vet checked for 'anal tone'! hahahahaha. Not sure why that startled her, she's had it done before. All in all she was a perfect lady. I was proud. The lay judge, Janet Brunjes was at the first ride I did with Emma Jane and she was just amazed at how Emma Jane has come around in letting strangers handle her. Marie vetted in fine also.

Barbara and I headed down to set up the portable electric pen at which time the sky really opened up and it just poured. We quickly put rain blankets on Emma Jane and Marie. As well as donning rain pants, raincoats and rubber boots ourselves. I got the pen set up in record time and we put Emma Jane and Marie in with lots of hay.

This ride is held at a beautiful old restored farm on a hill with acres of open fields and a spectacular view. The owners of the farm,Steve and Laura are so welcoming and friendly and opened up their whole house for us to come in and stay dry and warm. They provided us with a catered meal Friday night.

The weather that night got even worse! The wind picked up and was gusting bad. Along with the rain it was quite miserable. We headed back to the trailer at about 8:30PM. We checked on Emma Jane and Marie and they seemed fine. The blankets were doing their jobs and keeping them warm and dry. Emma Jane was keeping her big mule ears at half mast to keep the torrents of rain out of them though. I considered loading them into the trailer for the night but with the blankets they really didn't seem to be in any distress. I woke up around 1am. Looked out the trailer window and saw the fence was down. I threw on my raincoat and boots and ran out. Emma Jane and Marie were quietly hanging out in the pen still. PHEW! I put the fence back up and made sure their blankets were still ok. They were still warm and dry underneath. So, back to bed I went. About an hour later I woke up because the gusts of wind were rocking the trailer so hard. I went back out to check Emma Jane and Marie. The rain had finally stopped and they were fine. I hung hay bags out for them at this time since I figured any previous hay had blown out of the pen and into the next county!

Cara on Roadster, Marsha on Piper ride start

Cindy on Emma Jane & Barbara on Marie at the ride start



There was a catered breakfast in the morning. The power was out but the caterer had a generator so all was well. We ate by candle light. The ride started on time despite the power outage and difficult weather. The wind gusted hard all day and this made it very cold out in the open. Not bad at all in the woods. Steve, one of the farm owners, went out ahead of us on his tractor to clear out any blow downs and there were quite a few. The trails were great though. A lot of dirt road and jeep trails. Not muddy at all despite the rain. Emma Jane did great the first loop to the hold which was back at the farm. Her trot out was great. Marie was also doing great. We headed out on the second loop. Emma Jane was great until about 5 miles from the finish. She seemed to really run out of gas. She is in good condition and has done longer rides so I was surprised at this. But, we finished in good time. Emma Jane pulsed down in time though she was a little high on pulse. We went up for our trot out and she was very good and trotted willingly but with little enthusiasm. And I noticed she was just a tiny bit off on her right front. (sigh!) She started the ride with a '0' (sound) in lameness (out of a possible 25) at the end only 1 point was taken off for lameness which is very minor. She lost 6 points for 'mechanical fatigue' which I had to agree with. While out in the field waiting for ‘hands on’, I got some of the usual funny questions I always get about Emma Jane.
”Are mules comfortable?”
(I liked this one..) “Can you steer her”? Hahahahahah. When I told the woman that I could steer her she then asked, "Well, yeah but, I mean, don't you have to really pull hard and doesn't she just haul you around?" I assured her that Emma Jane has a very light mouth and was no problem to control. And what really made my day was when I heard someone behind me say, "oh, geesh I don't want to be standing behind a mule" and they moved their horse away from behind Emma Jane and in back of an Arab gelding and promptly got kicked! hahahahahah (no one was hurt so I can laugh)

Cindy on Emma Jane


Barbara on Marie


Emma Jane was again a perfect lady for the 'hands on'. After we were done with the vetting, we put Emma Jane and Rosemarie back in the pen with lots of hay and headed to the house for yet another wonderful catered meal! Emma Jane got her completion and placed in the top 18. Marie did very will and I believe placed 6th. It was a wonderful ride. By the time we were ready to go, Emma Jane was much lamer. And she was quite noticeably lame by the time we got home. Poor girl. I am thinking that she didn't so much run out of gas on the ride as she was just feeling some pain and discomfort.

It really was a wonderful ride despite the weather. Laura and Steve did a great job of putting on the ride and making everyone comfortable and welcome. I sure hope they hold this ride again next year.

Emma Jane is such a good mule I sure hope I can figure out what is wrong with her. She rides so wonderful. She travels great. She has camped this year in stalls, on the high tie and in a portable pen now with no problems......

Barbara on Marie & Cindy on Emma Jane on Trail

Cindy on Emma Jane and Barbara on Marie coming into the hold

Barbara with Marie and Cindy with Emma Jane at the hold


Barbara trotting out Marie at the hold

Marsha on Piper

Cindy on Emma Jane and Barbara on Marie on trail



Trails From The Crypt 10/21/06 21/S-21/F
Judges: Dr. Larry Buggia - Janet Brunjes
J1 SS Polar Ice / York, Cara
J2 INdian Smike Sign / Weeks, Taylor
1 Thunder / Sstygles, Amanda
2 Alladins Storm / Seams, Peter
3 Enchanted Safire / Seams, Cynthia
4 Beckie / Dockham, Peg
5 Cliffes Copper Penny / Buckley, Stephanie
5 Legendary Echo / Charter, Diana
7 Marie / McGovern, Barbara (92.50 pts)
8 Julio / Rojek, Steve
8 Anchor Hill Alan (Max) / Gill, Sarah
10 Odie / Palmer, Judy
11 SPD Carousel / O'Connor, Colleen
12 Keona (BHR) / Arsenault, Steven
13 Kahlua D&D's Boy / Bell, Patricia
14 Emma Jane / Ross, Cynthia (86.75 pts)
15 Cindi Jo's Velveet / Levasseur, Kathy
16 SA King HOfflin+ / Austin, Vicki
17 Travelon's Times Two (Moon) / Gamester, Marcy
18 Highcountry Piper / Deleware, Marcia


YTD Carreer Milage
Cindy - ride 1235 Drive 75
Marie - 1235 (75 drive)
Emma Jane - 160