Colleen Olivia, Andy Blue, just us!

Great ride.  Timing is everything.  When I called at 9am Bobby said there were three others on the ride.   Oh well I thought this ride was going to be not as good.  I was totally wrong. They asked me who I wanted I said, Well Duchess, Duke, Smokey, Hershey they were all ready.  Blue sweetie was ready too. I said, Yeah Blue.  What a great decision he was so good.  Andy, Colleen's fav was feeling a little uncomfortable from the last rider but Colleen said, Lets go Andy.
Blue was so sweet.  He trotted like a dream, I felt he was also fast.  After our first trot we put Andy in front of Blue.  Blue was fine with it. Colleen said that Andy was tailgating Blue and just not himself.  I believe a little love from Colleen could help him feel better.   I wonder if riders have made him annoyed  humans.
When we go there it was about 945 and we were able to walk around a little about 55 degrees.  The ride was still out.  I had my pick and got Blue.  As we went out on the trail I realized we were just going Olivia, Colleen and I for this ride. We lucked out with  a private ride. I was amazed at how lucky were with this one.  I didnt think we would have a great ride but it was amazing.  After Colleen got in front of me and then we went on the trails it was great.  Around the lake.
Found out that Sheila had a mishap last week and was injured.  Tango was spooked.  It sounds like crazy, Tango is so trust worthy.  I hope all is well. Bobby said it must have been a bee.  Later I spoke with Sheila on the phone, she said that Tango was like Rodeo and bucked a few times, maybe three, then she fell on her side.  Tango looked over at her like he was confused that she wasnt on his back.  Poor things.

Sargeant

Burrs in his mane fur

Bobby was tricking me at the bathroom  Ha ha

Rio

Meal Time!

Jewel was scared of the pitch fork

Help for Bobby in the Corral

Too cold for the rope swing today.

Trails were still really wet but we were able to go around the lake.  Yeah!

Blue turned his head to me everytime I spoke to him.

Blue turning to me while I take his pic.

Olivia's 14 hand horse. 

Mariah

He after the first trot gave a message to Colleen that he was uncomfortable.  While my Blue was amazing. Im so happy to be riding him.   He's great.  He trotted great during our trots around the lake.  Luckily we were able to go around the lake. We went up the hill and around the corner down the path for a while.
Blue was so sweet on the ride. So many times he would take a break and look around the woods to the sides and deep into the woods. You know I think that he is very smart.  He stopped during the trots I thik he felt too close to Andy.  Blue is cool because he listens to you.  He looks at me all the time when I talk to him.  Also I petted him so much durin the ride. I think he knows I care about him as we go on the ride.

Almost 70 degrees, Big Ride, Great Trails - Duke

Duke wasnt himself on the trail.  Being near Andy, Duke wasnt happy.  He at the point where the wooden bridge goes to the right. Duke bent into the woods where there was broken branches and he dipped into the woods on the left.  He wouldnt go when I asked him nicely.  He was stalling to ride behind Andy.  I was so confused. Duke is usually so up against Andy's butt.  He wanted Andy and the new woman I met, Dawn to go in front of us.  It was confusing.  Duke is so interesting of a horse.  I love all the horses.  I miss Blue, Tulsa, Domino, Duchess, Hershey, Andy, Smokey, Foxie, Bright Eyes, every one.
Didnt take too many pics today. I enjoyed the open air the beautiful trail and I especially liked how happy Cassie seemed out as the guide today for the ride. She was happily talking about her little boy. She makes me feel good. I tried to take some nice pictures of her on the trail. Shes a good guide and she is like the breath of the Ranch.

Anyway the lady was very nice. She seemed a little older and she said she loved her grand children.  She said that usually she comes to the ranch on week days.  She seems very nice.  Not sure Ill ever see her again because she doenst ride on weekends.
Oh well, I finally got to see Sarah again.  I have missed her because she works on Sundays.  Anja, Cassie, the new girl, Sheila all worked today.  I miss Cathy and  havent seen her husband Sandy in a long time.  I know they need help at the farm.  I wish there was something I could do sometimes but Im not very experienced in the barn yard.  I guess I feel like the books I read as a kid where they describe all the work on the farm and how its hard work. The ride was short.  We only trotted a couple times and the trots were short because of the water on the trails.  Also we took the trail that doesnt go around the lake but doubles back at the corner of the ride that can be the most exciting when taking a two-hour or a fast ride around the lake.   Duke hated the puddles that were like lakes.  Someone asked about 2 hour rides in the mornings. Cassie said she wasnt sure they were running them because Cathy used to take them and she hasnt been around in a while.  The woman Dawn went out 2 rides on Andy.  My ride and the one after.  She wanted me to go for the 2nd ride with her I think.  I knew I had to go have coffee and get to Kohls for the sale.
Well when the ride is this big, Im thinking well over 20 they cant do too much.  Bobby said the next one the people booked and then didnt show up.  He gets tense because they book and then they dont show up.  Its hard for him to plan for 23 horses when he doesnt have that many ready and then the people dont even come for thier ride.   It must be a pain in the butt.  Bob and  Bobby talked to me for a while after the ride.  I got some bread to feed the Big Rooster.  He was so sweet.  He didnt peck my fingers.  I was tickled pink he let me feed him.  Its nice to talk to Bob and Bobby.

Sheila was so dam busy.  I feel for her under these circumstances.  Bob told me that he doesnt know how he could ever be do anything without Sheila.  Its got to be great to know that she's there for him.  There is no one more qualified to take care of the farm horses.
Bobby Jr told me stories.  He remembered the name of the horse that they had quarantined a few weeks ago.  Her name is Jenny and she already in the herd doing rides.  I cant believe some horses are so amazing. Bobby told me the story of Tango's mother. How she had tango and was a horse they got from the auction.  He said Tangos mother was worth thousands and thousands of dollars to them.  It was cool.  I like talking to those guys.

November, its getting cold, back at the Ranch - Hershey

I was so happy to get home and go to Bobbys for a ride today. Its been well over 2 weeks since I rode. The last few rides were busy but no to little trots.  I have been working on staying on the horse by using my body to hold on with my body if the horse quickly changes its balance. This was because I needed to cling to the horse when I rode in Colorado.
Back on Hershey and he rode so smooth.  I hadnt trotted in a long time and I miss riding with Sheila.
I called in late didnt think I could make it.  Bob said the rides ready and to get going I could make it.
I was relieved that I did make it and the ride was smaller than I had been on in a while.
The other two riders were regulars too.  They rode Foxie and Toby. Sheila rode Gygpsy, she really looked exciting she called her a "handful".  I like that word for her.  When we were at the watering areas Gypsy came walking in quickly with her and she was almost looking like Cash.  She said she looked alot like Cash's mom.  Thats kinda cool.  I was glad that we took a new horse.  I think the horses are lucky if she takes then on a guide ride.
The hurricane, Sandy was earlier this week and on the trails you could see quite a few trees down.  Hershey was super fresh when we got back to the farm by giving Tango who didnt have a saddle on today. He was kinda pushing him in the stall while they ate. The ride after our ride was big lots of little kids so Hershey didnt have to work. The one parent I saw going was on Domino he was a man.  THere were lots of women with cameras and fancy boots waiting around the corral while the ride went out.
I still love my camera the pictures are so clear and sharp.
After the ride I talked alittle with Bob and Bobby by the horses and told them a little bit about how I went out west and represented the New England Ride at Bobby's. I didnt want ot make them feel uncomfortable by talking up the other stable only that I wanted to let them know I talked alot about my experiences in NE while out on the canyon rides.
It was cool.  There are new faces at the ranch. It has sort of settled but I miss Jess.  Tori does great work and I love how they all pull together.

Colorado Springs, Garden of Gods, Canyon

Today's 3 hour ride in Black Canon Canyon and into beautiful fields, cliffs, white shale ridges such as Rattlesnake ridge that goes all the way to Denver.  I barely made it to the ride today. I arrived after going the wrong way twice. Once getting out of Denver Airport the other passing the road to the stable.
The lady at the check in is very nice. She had spoken to me on the phone a couple times. Because I didnt want them to think I wasnt coming for the perimeter ride and cancel I let them know where I was when I was in Caslterock and then again when I was on the road to ge there.  I arrived about 3 min before my check in time of 12:15.

My guide was named Jim. He was young looking but it turns out that hes got 3 children and been through a nasty divorce. His kids seem to be doing good but I can tell that he's suffering somehow maybe mistakes in his life I couldnt tell. He did a great job of taking care of me and of our ride. I had in my head that the ride is actually dangerous.  You need to hold on and be so very careful. I spent so much of my time under ditrection to Lean Back and Hold on, We are going down.  Now I would most of the time at Bobby's lean forward during the hills. This is when Brian loves to run.  He also likes to go careful (in his way) down a steep hill and when it is less tricky stepping, take the momentum and go to a quick running step.  This thrilled me.

Brian was so funny. I accidently got on the wrong side of the horse because I was nervous. When I finally got on and they were ready to go I followed Jim out of the corral area.  Brian didnt take my reins very obediatly at first. He turned around  and started to turn back a few times. The others waiting for thier ride were watching Brian as he headed back to the water and then to the waiting area.  Walter yelled that I needed to show that horse who is boss.l  I felt kinda dumb. the other wrangler came over and walked him down the side of the fenced area. He didnt listne good at all to me.  They yelled that I better kick him.  It was funny but you know I was embarrassed.  Finally he listened and we extied about the back. I requested Brian as my horse, Walter the owner was surprised and so was the lady at the window.  I had the greatest ride because he was bad ass, such a horse.

The ride started out very similiar to the last ride at Garden of the Gods I continued in the same areas and then it seemed as though we went on a different trail up and to the right or maybe left.  Then the soil slowely changed from orange to lighter orange and then to sandy shale color.  The sand was then white and then I came to areas that were like cowboy plains, valley, ridges and old resevoir.

When we were entering into the new area where the big picture is there was a huge running steep hill to the right that runs all the way from Colorado Springs to Denver. The rock is an actual ridge and its called Rattlesnake Ridge.
As we entered into the big wide area where the water wells and the old homestead is there is a large flat area that is posted to keep off. Jim said that they area was an old resevoir from the last century for water supply from the well.  On the hill ther area rock channels build to take the water back to the town.
After the large open area we came to a dry red area and went upward slowly for a while.  Then Jim turned to me and said I will really need to lean way back and hold on because we were entering the canyon area and it was going to be steep and narrow.  It was amazing. I felt like I haven never felt before.  While Brian during the rides was a sure footed horse he took every chance he could to go quickly down the steep steps and quickly step up speeds. He would frequently run up the steep hills.  I was totally excited by him.  I wrote on Academy Stables facebook that Brian gave me a true adventure.  I felt like I was totally challenged for the ride.  I was given so many opportunities to go wicked fast on the trails.  He was a true quarterhorse Jim said.

On the way back to the stables we were riding on Columbia Blvd and I looked down little side street and there was a nice famliy of deer slowly walking down the road eating leaves and being sweet.  Jim called them mule deer and their color was grayish.  They were not afraid and Jim said that the RE agents in the area have to disclose that deer run freely in the area.


Walter


The link below is of the map for the formations.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:8sH9RIbm45UJ:https://www.springsgov.com/units/parksrec/maps/pdfmaps/gogs-pg1.pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgvUN2-19Fj5zNQJ0y8S5tM7D8qEJUNWi9ulKpRJzAawgGJ_hnDfC2-qfdGyrNXuyRg9uXxzwgNo8UM8QDLSeS1UZFd6n3zVEoRFfAuhY3AQMDaIvC2lqJO8z7Owb8Y1x3mrDVG&sig=AHIEtbT6DZy52R2zsTqJiZV4yGGCJ1U7Og

Brian on a cliff Voicing his fierce horse champion feelings loudly over the valley, pretty cool horse stuff!

This is the Ram Refuge are that is restricked from trails. It also has lots of rattlesnakes

This is heading down toward 3 formatios Signature Rock, White Rock and Cathedral Rock., 

Even closer to Signature White and Cathedral Rocks.

Palmer ridge trail

Here we are heading toward the Siamese Twins Formation at the very top.

This is all the herd that wasnt working on Monday.  Good times for horses

Jim with Brian after the ride

I got a close up of Brian before I left, hes a very handsome guy.