In two hours the first group of our riders will set out on a 25 mile Limited Distance Endurance Race. Riders range in age from 11 to 60. Every horse will be pure Colonial Spanish Horses, except for three American Indian Horses who are 1/2 Corolla.
Several of the riders have been riding a fairly short time. They have worked hard conditioning the horses and themselves over the last several months. They have learned to be flexible. I am having to be very flexible. I will be riding Peter Maxwell. Janie got a minor girth rub so she will have the day off. She will be ready to go in next month's official Swamp Stomp race.
Ariyana woke up ready to go. "It's race day", she said. She then made me three bratwursts served with a nice little mound of kimchee.
It is a breakfast of champions.
Today several riders are going to achieve something that a year ago they would have never thought possible. Best of all, a few will achieve something that at this very moment they are not sure is possible.
No one will be competing against other riders. Everyone will be competing against their other selves, the other self that doubts, criticizes, tells us that we can't do it, that we are not good enough, that we are not strong enough...that we are simply not enough.
And today my riders will be winners and their other selves will have just a bit less power over them than before running their first 25 mile run.
I just met you last week at IoW County Fair, at the Master Naturalist display table and started following your blog.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such an exciting day. I pray the Lord will bless you and each horse and rider as you enjoy this beautiful day He has made for you. Thank you for all the time and passion you put in these people and horses. I am in the mountains this weekend, but would love to come to your ranch and bring my 14 year old granddaughter one day.
Nancy White